Pat Hartigan
Encyclopedia
Pat Hartigan is a former Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club South Liberties and with the Limerick
senior inter-county team in the 1970s. He is regarded as one of Limerick’s greatest-ever players.
in 1950. He was educated locally and from an early age he showed a great interest in the game of hurling
, learning his skills on the roads and in the fields of his local parish where his reputation as a skilful hurler was built. It was only when Hartigan attended the Sexton Street school of the Christian Brothers
, where one of his friends was J.P. McManus, that he began to play hurling on a competitive basis. By the age of 15 Hartigan had White Cup (under fifteen and a half) and Dean Ryan Cup (Munster junior colleges) medals to his name and had broken onto the schools Harty Cup panel. In 1966 his school won a third successive Harty Cup and All-Ireland colleges' title, beating St. Mary's of Galway
. In 1967, after a fourth consecutive Harty Cup title was claimed, a number of the team decided to repeat the school year and attempt to capture an elusive fifth consecutive title. The prospect of making history became an obsession for Hartigan, however, his team were eventually beaten by Coláiste Chríost Rí of Cork
.
Hartigan currently works as a nationals sales manager with Grasslands Irl. Ltd.
with the famous South Liberties
club in Limerick. He enjoyed some success at underage levels before winning a senior county championship
title in 1972. It was the club’s first county title since 1890. Hartigan won further county victories in 1976 and 1979.
inter-county selectors. He made history in 1968 when he played on eight different Limerick teams in the space of six months - minor, under-21 and senior in hurling
and Gaelic football
, as well as intermediate in hurling and junior in football. Hartigan spent a record six years playing with the Limerick under-21 hurling team before quickly establishing himself on the senior hurling and football teams. In 1971 he first tasted success when he won a National Hurling League
medal. It was the first of five successive National League final appearances for Limerick, however, they only ended up successful on one occasion.
In spite of a lack of championship success Hartigan was named in the full-back position on the inaugural All-Star
team. It was the first of five successive All-Star awards for him. In the 1970s Limerick also contested five Munster
finals, with victory coming first in 1973. That year Hartigan later claimed his first, and only, All-Ireland
medal when Limerick had a great victory over Kilkenny
. While Hartigan played at full-back his brother, Bernie
, played in the half-forward line. In 1974 the Hartigan's won a second Munster title, however, Limerick were later defeated by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. The following few years proved frustrating for Limerick as Cork dominated the Munster championship.
In a training session with Limerick in 1979 Hartigan was tragically injured when the sliothar spun awkwardly off a hurley and hit him in the eye. The whole incident left him blind in one eye and effectively ended his inter-county hurling career. He remained on the panel for the All-Ireland final of 1980 and the All-Ireland semi-final of 1981, however, victory went to Galway
and Offaly
on both occasions.
Hartigan had a great shot-putt career for Ireland. Without any specialised training Hartigan captained Limerick AC in 1983 to a national track and field league title, before adding a second in 1985. He later went on to represent Ireland in the European club championships. In the mid-1960s Hartigan was offered a sporting scholarship to Boston
, however, he declined in favour of playing Gaelic games with his native-county.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
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 South Liberties and with the Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
senior inter-county team in the 1970s. He is regarded as one of Limerick’s greatest-ever players.
Early & private life
Pat Hartigan was born in Drombanna, County LimerickCounty Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
in 1950. He was educated locally and from an early age he showed a great interest in the game of 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...
, learning his skills on the roads and in the fields of his local parish where his reputation as a skilful hurler was built. It was only when Hartigan attended the Sexton Street school of the Christian Brothers
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
, where one of his friends was J.P. McManus, that he began to play hurling on a competitive basis. By the age of 15 Hartigan had White Cup (under fifteen and a half) and Dean Ryan Cup (Munster junior colleges) medals to his name and had broken onto the schools Harty Cup panel. In 1966 his school won a third successive Harty Cup and All-Ireland colleges' title, beating St. Mary's of Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
. In 1967, after a fourth consecutive Harty Cup title was claimed, a number of the team decided to repeat the school year and attempt to capture an elusive fifth consecutive title. The prospect of making history became an obsession for Hartigan, however, his team were eventually beaten by Coláiste Chríost Rí of Cork
Cork (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...
.
Hartigan currently works as a nationals sales manager with Grasslands Irl. Ltd.
Club
Hartigan played his club hurlingHurling
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 the famous South Liberties
South Liberties GAA Club
South Liberties is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Limerick, Ireland. The club is based in the parish of Donoughmore-Knockea-Roxboro, on the southern outskirts of Limerick City and is affiliated to the East Board of Limerick GAA. It is one of the oldest clubs in the country, founded...
club in Limerick. He enjoyed some success at underage levels before winning a senior county championship
Limerick Senior Hurling Championship
The Limerick Senior Hurling Championship is an annual club competition between the top Limerick Clubs. The winners of the Limerick Championship qualify to represent their county in the Munster Club Championship and in turn, go on to the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship...
title in 1972. It was the club’s first county title since 1890. Hartigan won further county victories in 1976 and 1979.
Inter-county
Hartigan’s hurling success in secondary school brought him to the attention of the LimerickLimerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
inter-county selectors. He made history in 1968 when he played on eight different Limerick teams in the space of six months - minor, under-21 and senior in 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...
and Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
, as well as intermediate in hurling and junior in football. Hartigan spent a record six years playing with the Limerick under-21 hurling team before quickly establishing himself on the senior hurling and football teams. In 1971 he first tasted success when he won a 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...
medal. It was the first of five successive National League final appearances for Limerick, however, they only ended up successful on one occasion.
In spite of a lack of championship success Hartigan was named in the full-back position on the inaugural All-Star
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
team. It was the first of five successive All-Star awards for him. In the 1970s Limerick also contested five Munster
Munster 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....
finals, with victory coming first in 1973. That year Hartigan later claimed his first, and only, 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....
medal when Limerick had a great victory over 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...
. While Hartigan played at full-back his brother, Bernie
Bernie Hartigan
Bernie Hartigan is a former Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Old Christians and with the Limerick senior inter-county team in the 1970s.-References:- References :...
, played in the half-forward line. In 1974 the Hartigan's won a second Munster title, however, Limerick were later defeated by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. The following few years proved frustrating for Limerick as Cork dominated the Munster championship.
In a training session with Limerick in 1979 Hartigan was tragically injured when the sliothar spun awkwardly off a hurley and hit him in the eye. The whole incident left him blind in one eye and effectively ended his inter-county hurling career. He remained on the panel for the All-Ireland final of 1980 and the All-Ireland semi-final of 1981, however, victory went to 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,...
and Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
on both occasions.
Athletics
As well as having a successful career at Gaelic gamesGaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
Hartigan had a great shot-putt career for Ireland. Without any specialised training Hartigan captained Limerick AC in 1983 to a national track and field league title, before adding a second in 1985. He later went on to represent Ireland in the European club championships. In the mid-1960s Hartigan was offered a sporting scholarship to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, however, he declined in favour of playing Gaelic games with his native-county.