Pádraig Horan
Encyclopedia
Pádraig Horan is a retired Irish
hurling
manager
and former player. He played hurling with his local club St. Rynagh’s
and with the Offaly
senior inter-county team from 1970 until 1986. Horan later served as manager of both the Offaly and Laois
senior inter-county teams.
with the famous St. Rynagh’s
club in Offaly. The club was formed in the early 1960s and success came shortly afterwards. Horan first tasted success when he claimed a three in-a-row of county titles in 1968, 1969 and 1970. In the final year this county title was later converted into a Leinster
club title. St. Rynagh’s continued there dominance of the Offaly hurling scene throughout the 1970s, winning five county championships in-a-row in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976. Horan played a key role in all of these wins and added a second Leinster club title to his collection in 1972. He captured his ninth and tenth county medals in 1981 and 1982, before also claiming a third Leinster title. Horan captured his final county title in 1987.
and Football
for the Offaly
minor and under-21 teams. He had little success at either level in either code, and in 1971 he decided to end being a dual player
and concentrate solely on hurling. It was a decision that he lived to regret as Offaly went on to win back-to-back All-Ireland
football titles in 1971 and 1972. On the other hand, the 1970s proved to be a bleak time for Offaly’s hurlers. All this changed in 1980 when they came from nowhere to win their first-ever Leinster
title. Unfortunately, Horan’s side were later defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final.
In 1981 was captain of the Offaly hurling team. That year he guided his native-county to a second Leinster title, before defeating Galway
to win the All-Ireland
title. Three years later in 1984 Horan won his third provincial medal in the centenary year of the Gaelic Athletic Association
. The All-Ireland final was played at Semple Stadium
in Thurles
that year, however, Offaly were defeated by Cork who were playing in their third final in-a-row. In 1985 Offaly bounced back and reclaimed their Leinster title. In the All-Ireland final Horan’s side played old rivals Galway and defeated them once again. Horan finished the year by winning his only All-Star
award.
Horan retired from inter-county hurling following Offaly’s exit from the Leinster Championship in 1986.
of the Offaly
senior hurling team. He had some success as manager, including guiding Offaly to their first-ever National Hurling League
title in 1991. Horan subsequently took up the position as manager of the Birr Senior Hurling Team
, guiding them to their first ever All Ireland Club Senior Hurling
title in 1995. He later returned to inter county management with Laois
, before returning to his native St. Rynaghs
as manager from 2000–2003 and again from 2006-2007.
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...
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...
manager
Manager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
and former player. He played hurling with his local club St. Rynagh’s
St. Rynagh's GAA
St. Rynagh's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club that encompasses the towns of Cloghan and Banagher in County Offaly, in Ireland. Formed in 1961, the club gained almost immediate success - winning the senior championship in 1965. St. Rynagh's went on to appear in three All-Ireland club finals...
and with the 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...
senior inter-county team from 1970 until 1986. Horan later served as manager of both the Offaly and Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
senior inter-county teams.
Club
Horan 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 St. Rynagh’s
St. Rynagh's GAA
St. Rynagh's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club that encompasses the towns of Cloghan and Banagher in County Offaly, in Ireland. Formed in 1961, the club gained almost immediate success - winning the senior championship in 1965. St. Rynagh's went on to appear in three All-Ireland club finals...
club in Offaly. The club was formed in the early 1960s and success came shortly afterwards. Horan first tasted success when he claimed a three in-a-row of county titles in 1968, 1969 and 1970. In the final year this county title was later converted into a Leinster
Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual Hurling tournament played between the winners of the senior club hurling championships of the counties in Leinster. The current holders of the Leinster title are Ballyhale Shamrocks from Kilkenny. The first Leinster senior club hurling...
club title. St. Rynagh’s continued there dominance of the Offaly hurling scene throughout the 1970s, winning five county championships in-a-row in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976. Horan played a key role in all of these wins and added a second Leinster club title to his collection in 1972. He captured his ninth and tenth county medals in 1981 and 1982, before also claiming a third Leinster title. Horan captured his final county title in 1987.
Playing career
In the late 1960s Horan played both 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...
and Football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
for the 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...
minor and under-21 teams. He had little success at either level in either code, and in 1971 he decided to end being a dual player
Dual player
Dual player or dual star is a term used in Gaelic games to describe a player who plays both Men's Gaelic football and Hurling or Ladies' Gaelic football and Camogie. The player doesn't necessarily have to play at the same standard in both sports...
and concentrate solely on hurling. It was a decision that he lived to regret as Offaly went on to win back-to-back All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
football titles in 1971 and 1972. On the other hand, the 1970s proved to be a bleak time for Offaly’s hurlers. All this changed in 1980 when they came from nowhere to win their first-ever Leinster
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster 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 Leinster in Ireland....
title. Unfortunately, Horan’s side were later defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final.
In 1981 was captain of the Offaly hurling team. That year he guided his native-county to a second Leinster title, before defeating 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,...
to win the 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....
title. Three years later in 1984 Horan won his third provincial medal in the centenary year of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic 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...
. The All-Ireland final was played at Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium
Semple Stadium, located in Thurles, North Tipperary, Ireland, is the home of hurling for Tipperary GAA and for the province of Munster. It is the second largest stadium in Ireland with a capacity of 53,500....
in Thurles
Thurles
Thurles is a town situated in North Tipperary, Ireland. It is a civil parish in the historical barony of Eliogarty and is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly...
that year, however, Offaly were defeated by Cork who were playing in their third final in-a-row. In 1985 Offaly bounced back and reclaimed their Leinster title. In the All-Ireland final Horan’s side played old rivals Galway and defeated them once again. Horan finished the year by winning his only 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...
award.
Horan retired from inter-county hurling following Offaly’s exit from the Leinster Championship in 1986.
Managerial career
In the early 1990s Horan served as managerManager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
of the 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...
senior hurling team. He had some success as manager, including guiding Offaly to their first-ever 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...
title in 1991. Horan subsequently took up the position as manager of the Birr Senior Hurling Team
Birr GAA
Birr GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling and are one of the most successful club hurling teams in the country.-Honours:...
, guiding them to their first ever All Ireland Club Senior Hurling
All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual hurling tournament played between hundreds of senior hurling clubs in Ireland. The Tommy Moore Cup is awarded to the winners. The current champions are Clarinbridge...
title in 1995. He later returned to inter county management with Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
, before returning to his native St. Rynaghs
St. Rynagh's GAA
St. Rynagh's is a Gaelic Athletic Association club that encompasses the towns of Cloghan and Banagher in County Offaly, in Ireland. Formed in 1961, the club gained almost immediate success - winning the senior championship in 1965. St. Rynagh's went on to appear in three All-Ireland club finals...
as manager from 2000–2003 and again from 2006-2007.