Paddy Ahern
Encyclopedia
Paddy "Balty" Ahern was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Blackrock
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1919 until 1931.
in 1900. He was educated at Crab Lane National School and was quickly seen as a hurling
player of note. On the school team he played with his brother, Mick 'Gah' Ahern, and their reputations as fine hurlers were seen once again in the School Shield competitions. Ahern later played club hurling and had much success with his local team Blackrock
. He also had great success with the Cork senior hurling team in the 1920s.
team of the 1920s. He played in the forward line and was joined by other greats of the game such as his brother Mick, Seán Óg Murphy
, Eudie Coughlan
and many more. Ahern won seven Cork County Championship
titles in all. His first win came in 1920. Four years later Ahern was successful with Blackrock yet again, winning back-to-back county titles in 1924 and 1925. A single championship title was captured in 1927 before completing a hat-trick of county titles in 1929, 1930 and 1931.
medal. This was later converted into his first All-Ireland
following an emphatic victory over Dublin
. The final was the first time that Cork wore their now famous red jerseys. Ahern won his second Munster title, however, Dublin gained revenge for the previous year’s defeat by beating Cork. Cork faced a barren spell for the next few years but they returned with a winning streak in 1926 claiming National Hurling League
, Munster and All-Ireland honours. Ahern was instrumental in attack in the final against Kilkenny
. It was the beginning of a glorious era for Cork hurling. Ahern captured his fourth Munster medal in 1927, however, Dublin once again accounted for Cork in the All-Ireland final. Ahern had earlier won a Railway Cup medal with Munster
.
He added a second Railway Cup title at the start of 1928 before later winning his fifth Munster title. In the All-Ireland final against Galway
Ahern scored 3 goals to clinch victory and claim his third All-Ireland medal. In 1929 he captured his fourth Munster medal in-a-row, his sixth overall, before later playing in his fourth All-Ireland final in-a-row. Cork’s opponents in the final were Galway once again and Ahern scored Cork’s fourth goal to seal the victory. It was his fourth All-Ireland medal. Cork had no little success in the championship of 1930, however, Ahern won his second National League medal. In 1931 Cork were back under the captaincy of Eudie Coughlan
. Ahern won his seventh Munster title and once again qualified for the All-Ireland final, this time against Kilkenny
. It took two replays to separate the two sides with Cork eventually emerging as the victors. It was Ahern’s fifth All-Ireland medal. He retired from international hurling shortly after.
history. He was the first Cork player to win five senior All-Ireland medals. He held this record between 1931 and 1946 when Jack Lynch
won his sixth medal. The record was later equalled by many Cork players and was surpassed by Jimmy Barry-Murphy
who won six All-Ireland medals and Christy Ring
who won eight All-Ireland medals. Ahern was also the first person in GAA history to win senior All-Ireland medals on the field of play in each of three decades. This record was later equalled by many players.
Balty, as he was generally known, was regarded as a tough, uncompromising hurler. He was left-handed with an unpredictable swing of the hurley and was very difficult to mark by all accounts.
Paddy 'Salty' Ahern died on 2 October 1971.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Blackrock
Blackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1919 until 1931.
Early life
Paddy 'Balty' Ahern was born Ballintemple, CorkCork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
in 1900. He was educated at Crab Lane National School and was quickly seen as a hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
player of note. On the school team he played with his brother, Mick 'Gah' Ahern, and their reputations as fine hurlers were seen once again in the School Shield competitions. Ahern later played club hurling and had much success with his local team Blackrock
Blackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
. He also had great success with the Cork senior hurling team in the 1920s.
Club
Ahern was one of the key members of the great BlackrockBlackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
team of the 1920s. He played in the forward line and was joined by other greats of the game such as his brother Mick, Seán Óg Murphy
Seán Óg Murphy
Jackie 'Seán Óg' Murphy was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1915 until 1929. Murphy captained Cork to the All-Ireland title in 1926 and 1928...
, Eudie Coughlan
Eudie Coughlan
Eugene 'Eudie' Coughlan was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1919 until 1931. Coughlan captained Cork to the All-Ireland title in 1931...
and many more. Ahern won seven Cork County Championship
Cork Senior Hurling Championship
The Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
titles in all. His first win came in 1920. Four years later Ahern was successful with Blackrock yet again, winning back-to-back county titles in 1924 and 1925. A single championship title was captured in 1927 before completing a hat-trick of county titles in 1929, 1930 and 1931.
Inter-county
Ahern first came to prominence with the Cork senior hurling team in 1919 when he won his first Munster ChampionshipMunster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
medal. This was later converted into his first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
following an emphatic victory over Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
. The final was the first time that Cork wore their now famous red jerseys. Ahern won his second Munster title, however, Dublin gained revenge for the previous year’s defeat by beating Cork. Cork faced a barren spell for the next few years but they returned with a winning streak in 1926 claiming National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
, Munster and All-Ireland honours. Ahern was instrumental in attack in the final against Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
. It was the beginning of a glorious era for Cork hurling. Ahern captured his fourth Munster medal in 1927, however, Dublin once again accounted for Cork in the All-Ireland final. Ahern had earlier won a Railway Cup medal with Munster
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
.
He added a second Railway Cup title at the start of 1928 before later winning his fifth Munster title. In the All-Ireland final against Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
Ahern scored 3 goals to clinch victory and claim his third All-Ireland medal. In 1929 he captured his fourth Munster medal in-a-row, his sixth overall, before later playing in his fourth All-Ireland final in-a-row. Cork’s opponents in the final were Galway once again and Ahern scored Cork’s fourth goal to seal the victory. It was his fourth All-Ireland medal. Cork had no little success in the championship of 1930, however, Ahern won his second National League medal. In 1931 Cork were back under the captaincy of Eudie Coughlan
Eudie Coughlan
Eugene 'Eudie' Coughlan was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1919 until 1931. Coughlan captained Cork to the All-Ireland title in 1931...
. Ahern won his seventh Munster title and once again qualified for the All-Ireland final, this time against Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
. It took two replays to separate the two sides with Cork eventually emerging as the victors. It was Ahern’s fifth All-Ireland medal. He retired from international hurling shortly after.
Records
Ahern set several records in Gaelic Athletic AssociationGaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
history. He was the first Cork player to win five senior All-Ireland medals. He held this record between 1931 and 1946 when Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
won his sixth medal. The record was later equalled by many Cork players and was surpassed by Jimmy Barry-Murphy
Jimmy Barry-Murphy
James "Jimmy" Barry-Murphy is a former Irish hurler, Gaelic footballer and association footballer and is the current manager of the Cork senior hurling team...
who won six All-Ireland medals and Christy Ring
Christy Ring
Nicholas Christopher Michael Ring , better known as Christy Ring, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Glen Rovers club from 1941 until 1967 and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1963. Ring is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in...
who won eight All-Ireland medals. Ahern was also the first person in GAA history to win senior All-Ireland medals on the field of play in each of three decades. This record was later equalled by many players.
Balty, as he was generally known, was regarded as a tough, uncompromising hurler. He was left-handed with an unpredictable swing of the hurley and was very difficult to mark by all accounts.
Paddy 'Salty' Ahern died on 2 October 1971.