Tom Dempsey (hurler)
Encyclopedia
Tom Dempsey is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Buffer's Alley and with the Wexford
senior inter-county team from 1984 until 2000.
with the famous Buffer's Alley GAA club and enjoyed much success. He first came to prominence on the club’s senior team in the early 1980s as the team was in the middle of completing a four in-a-row of county championship titles between 1982 and 1985. This last county title was later converted into a Leinster
club title for Dempsey, however, his side was beaten by Kilruane McDonagh’s of Tipperary
in the All-Ireland final. 1988 saw Dempsey won another county title before later adding a second Leinster club medal to his collection. Once again Buffer’s Alley reached the All-Ireland final, this time with O’Donovan Rossa of Antrim
providing the opposition. Victory went to the Wexford men by 2-12 to 0-12, giving Dempsey a coveted All-Ireland
club medal. He won another set of county medals in 1989 and 1991 before collecting a third Leinster club medal in the latter year. His side was later defeated by Sarsfield’s of Galway
in the All-Ireland final. Dempsey finished off his career by winning a final county title in 1993.
at minor level. He played both hurling and Gaelic football
for Wexford
in the under-18 grade, however, he enjoyed little success. Dempsey later joined the county under-21 hurling team. Here he won a Leinster
title in 1986 following victory in a replay over Offaly
. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Galway provide the opposition. Dempsey’s side were completely outclassed on that occasion as Galway won by 1-14 to 2-5.
By this stage Dempsey had already made his debut with the Wexford senior team, however, it was not a happy time to be a Wexford hurler. The county had been pushed back into third place in the Leinster Championship
behind Kilkenny
and Offaly. Provincial final appearances in 1988 and 1992 brought nothing but defeat for Dempsey’s team. In 1993 Dempsey was captain as Wexford looked set for glory when they reached the final of the National Hurling League
. The opponents on that occasion were Cork, however, the game ended in a draw. The replay saw extra-time being played, however, both sides ended level once again. At the third attempt Cork emerged victorious by 3-11 to 1-12. In spite of this defeat expectations were still high for the Leinster championship. In the final of that competition Wexford drew with arch rivals and All-Ireland champions Kilkenny and there was hope of success. The replay was a different affair as Kilkenny won handily enough by 2-12 to 0-11.
Wexford were defeated in the Leinster final again in 1994 before disappearing from the championship at the first hurdle in 1995. By 1996 things were beginning to change in Wexford, thanks in no small way to the new manager Liam Griffin
. Once again Dempsey lined out in the Leinster final. Offaly provided the opposition on that occasion; however, history was made as Wexford won by 2-23 to 2-15. It was Demspey’s first senior Leinster title and Wexford’s first since 1977. Wexford later defeated Galway in the penultimate game of the championship, setting up an All-Ireland final meeting with Limerick
. The Munster men were slight favourites going into the game. They were the beaten finalists of 1994 and had already beaten Clare
, the reigning champions, in the Munster Championship
. The game was far from a classic; however, it did provide excitement. Dempsey was the hero of the day as he scored a goal after nineteen minutes to give Wexford a major advantage. His side led by 1-8 to 0-10 at half-time in spite of having Éamonn Scallon sent off. Wexford took a four-point lead in the second-half; however, this was whittled back to two points as Wexford hung on for the last twenty minutes. The final score of 1-13 to 0-14 showed how vital Dempsey’s goal was. It was his first All-Ireland
medal and Wexford’s first since 1968. Dempsey was later honoured with an All-Star
award.
Dempsey captured a second Leinster medal in 1997 as Kilkenny fell in the provincial decider. 1997, however, saw the introduction of the so-called ‘back-door’ system whereby the defeated Munster and Leinster finalists were allowed back into the All-Ireland championship at the quarter-final stage. Because of this Wexford’s opponents in the All-Ireland semi-final were Tipperary
, the Munster runners-up. On that occasion Wexford were outclassed by Tipp who won by 2-16 to 0-15. The next few years saw Wexford defeated in the early stages of the provincial championship. Dempsey retired from inter-county hurling in 2000.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He won his sole Railway Cup medal in 1993 as Leinster defeated Ulster
.
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 with his local club Buffer's Alley and with the Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
senior inter-county team from 1984 until 2000.
Club
Dempsey 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 Buffer's Alley GAA club and enjoyed much success. He first came to prominence on the club’s senior team in the early 1980s as the team was in the middle of completing a four in-a-row of county championship titles between 1982 and 1985. This last 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 for Dempsey, however, his side was beaten by Kilruane McDonagh’s of Tipperary
Tipperary
Tipperary is a town and a civil parish in South Tipperary in Ireland. Its population was 4,415 at the 2006 census. It is also an ecclesiastical parish in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly, and is in the historical barony of Clanwilliam....
in the All-Ireland final. 1988 saw Dempsey won another county title before later adding a second Leinster club medal to his collection. Once again Buffer’s Alley reached the All-Ireland final, this time with O’Donovan Rossa of Antrim
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
providing the opposition. Victory went to the Wexford men by 2-12 to 0-12, giving Dempsey a coveted All-Ireland
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...
club medal. He won another set of county medals in 1989 and 1991 before collecting a third Leinster club medal in the latter year. His side was later defeated by Sarsfield’s 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,...
in the All-Ireland final. Dempsey finished off his career by winning a final county title in 1993.
Inter-county
Dempsey first came to prominence as a dual playerDual 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...
at minor level. He played both hurling 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...
for Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
in the under-18 grade, however, he enjoyed little success. Dempsey later joined the county under-21 hurling team. Here he won a Leinster
Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship
For the Senior equivalent see: Leinster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Leinster U-21 Hurling Championship or for sponsorship reasons the Erin Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship is an U-21 hurling tournament. The first tournament took place in 1964 when Wexford were crowned champions. Wexford...
title in 1986 following victory in a replay over 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...
. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Galway provide the opposition. Dempsey’s side were completely outclassed on that occasion as Galway won by 1-14 to 2-5.
By this stage Dempsey had already made his debut with the Wexford senior team, however, it was not a happy time to be a Wexford hurler. The county had been pushed back into third place in the Leinster Championship
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....
behind 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...
and Offaly. Provincial final appearances in 1988 and 1992 brought nothing but defeat for Dempsey’s team. In 1993 Dempsey was captain as Wexford looked set for glory when they reached the final of the 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...
. The opponents on that occasion were Cork, however, the game ended in a draw. The replay saw extra-time being played, however, both sides ended level once again. At the third attempt Cork emerged victorious by 3-11 to 1-12. In spite of this defeat expectations were still high for the Leinster championship. In the final of that competition Wexford drew with arch rivals and All-Ireland champions Kilkenny and there was hope of success. The replay was a different affair as Kilkenny won handily enough by 2-12 to 0-11.
Wexford were defeated in the Leinster final again in 1994 before disappearing from the championship at the first hurdle in 1995. By 1996 things were beginning to change in Wexford, thanks in no small way to the new manager Liam Griffin
Liam Griffin
Liam Griffin is a retired Irish hurling manager and former player. He played hurling at various times with his local clubs Rosslare and Newmarket-on Fergus with the Wexford and Clare senior inter-county teams in the 1960s. Griffin later served as manager of the Wexford senior inter-county team...
. Once again Dempsey lined out in the Leinster final. Offaly provided the opposition on that occasion; however, history was made as Wexford won by 2-23 to 2-15. It was Demspey’s first senior Leinster title and Wexford’s first since 1977. Wexford later defeated Galway in the penultimate game of the championship, setting up an All-Ireland final meeting with 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...
. The Munster men were slight favourites going into the game. They were the beaten finalists of 1994 and had already beaten Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
, the reigning champions, in the Munster Championship
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....
. The game was far from a classic; however, it did provide excitement. Dempsey was the hero of the day as he scored a goal after nineteen minutes to give Wexford a major advantage. His side led by 1-8 to 0-10 at half-time in spite of having Éamonn Scallon sent off. Wexford took a four-point lead in the second-half; however, this was whittled back to two points as Wexford hung on for the last twenty minutes. The final score of 1-13 to 0-14 showed how vital Dempsey’s goal was. It was 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....
medal and Wexford’s first since 1968. Dempsey was later honoured with 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.
Dempsey captured a second Leinster medal in 1997 as Kilkenny fell in the provincial decider. 1997, however, saw the introduction of the so-called ‘back-door’ system whereby the defeated Munster and Leinster finalists were allowed back into the All-Ireland championship at the quarter-final stage. Because of this Wexford’s opponents in the All-Ireland semi-final were Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
, the Munster runners-up. On that occasion Wexford were outclassed by Tipp who won by 2-16 to 0-15. The next few years saw Wexford defeated in the early stages of the provincial championship. Dempsey retired from inter-county hurling in 2000.
Provincial
Dempsey also lined out with LeinsterLeinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He won his sole Railway Cup medal in 1993 as Leinster defeated Ulster
Ulster GAA
The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball in the province of Ulster. The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City....
.