Seán Foley
Encyclopedia
Seán Foley is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Patrickswell
and was a member of the Limerick
senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s.
with the local Patrickswell
club. He enjoyed much success here, winning many senior county championship
titles with the side over three decades. The highlight of Foley’s club career came in 1990 when, at the age of 41, he won a Munster club hurling title.
minor hurling team in 1966 and 1967. Following this he quickly found his way onto the county’s senior team. In 1971 Foley first tasted major success when he won a National Hurling League
medal, Two years later in 1973 he won his first Munster
title before later going on to win his first, and only, All-Ireland
medal following a win over Kilkenny
. Foley’s performance throughout the championship earned him an All-Star
award.
In 1974 Foley was captain when Limerick won a second consecutive Munster title. Unfortunately, Kilkenny gained revenge for the previous year’s defeat by beating Limerick in the All-Ireland final. It took until 1980 before Foley captured his third provincial title, however, his side once again faced defeat in the All-Ireland final, this time at the hands of Galway
. The following year he won his fourth and final Munster medal, however, Offaly
emerged victorious over Foley’s side in the All-Ireland semi-final. He retired from inter-county hurling in the mid-1990s.
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 Patrickswell
Patrickswell GAA
Patrickswell GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the small village of Patrickswell in County Limerick, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with the game of hurling.-Honours:*Munster Senior Club Hurling Championships: 2...
and was a member of 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 and 1980s.
Club
Foley 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 local Patrickswell
Patrickswell GAA
Patrickswell GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the small village of Patrickswell in County Limerick, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with the game of hurling.-Honours:*Munster Senior Club Hurling Championships: 2...
club. He enjoyed much success here, winning many 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...
titles with the side over three decades. The highlight of Foley’s club career came in 1990 when, at the age of 41, he won a Munster club hurling title.
Inter-county
Foley first came to prominence as a teenager when he played on 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...
minor hurling team in 1966 and 1967. Following this he quickly found his way onto the county’s senior team. In 1971 Foley first tasted major 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, Two years later in 1973 he won his first 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....
title before later going on to win 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 following a win 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...
. Foley’s performance throughout the championship earned him an 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.
In 1974 Foley was captain when Limerick won a second consecutive Munster title. Unfortunately, Kilkenny gained revenge for the previous year’s defeat by beating Limerick in the All-Ireland final. It took until 1980 before Foley captured his third provincial title, however, his side once again faced defeat in the All-Ireland final, this time at the hands of 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,...
. The following year he won his fourth and final Munster medal, however, 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...
emerged victorious over Foley’s side in the All-Ireland semi-final. He retired from inter-county hurling in the mid-1990s.