1996–97 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship

All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship 1996–97
Championship Details
Dates22 September 1996 – 17 March 1997
Teams28
All Ireland Champions
WinnersAthenry (1st win)
CaptainBrian Feeney
All Ireland Runners-up
Runners-upWolfe Tones na Sionna
CaptainBrian Lohan
Provincial Champions
MunsterWolfe Tones na Sionna
LeinsterCamross
UlsterRuairí Óg
ConnachtAthenry
Championship Statistics
Top Scorer Paul Flynn (3–21)

The 1996–97 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship was the 27th staging of the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, the Gaelic Athletic Association's premier inter-county club hurling tournament.[1] The championship ran from 22 September 1996 to 17 March 1997.

Sixmilebridge of Clare were the defending champions, however, they failed to qualify after being beaten by Wolfe Tones na Sionna in the quarter-finals of the 1996 Clare SHC.[2][3][4] Boherlahan–Dualla of Tipperary, Wolfe Tones na Sionna of Clare and Young Irelands of Kilkenny made their championship debut.[5][6][7]

The All-Ireland final was played at Croke Park in Dublin on 17 March 1997, between Athenry of Galway and Wolfe Tones na Sionna of Clare, in what was a first championship meeting between the teams. Athenry won the match by 0–14 to 1–08 to claim a first title.[8][9]

Ballygunner's Paul Flynn was the championship's top scorer with 3–21.

Results

Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship

First round

5 October 1996 First round Tubbercurry 2–13 – 2–12 Gortletteragh Gortletteragh
P Seevers 1–9, B Burke 1–1, K Walsh 0–2, D Killoran 0–1. T McLoughlin 0–7, S Duignan 1–1, S Mallon 1–0, T Ward 0–1,

Quarter-final

19 October 1996 Quarter-final Ballina Stephenites 1–08 – 2–06 Tubbercurry James Stephens Park, Ballina
N McLoughlin 0–4, J Regan 1–0, K Commons 0–3, K Guthrie 0–1. P Seevers 0–5, B Walsh 1–1, D Killoran 1–0.

Semi-final

2 November 1996 Semi-final Tubbercurry 0–06 – 6–15 Four Roads Markievicz Park, Sligo
P Seevers 0–6. R Mulry 2–1, A Lalwor 2–1, M Cunniffe 1–4, J Mannion 0–4, O Lohan 1–0, S Coyle 0–2, G Coyle 0–1, F Grehan 0–1, B Mannion 0–1.

Final

8 December 1996 Final Four Roads 1–08 – 1–15 Athenry Ballyforan
M Cunniffe 0–4, D Lohan 1–0, J Mannion 0–3, R Mulry 0–1. C Moran 0–6, P Higgins 1–2, B Keogh 0–3, B Hanley 0–2, A Poniard 0–1, D Moran 0–1.

Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship

Preliminary round

29 September 1996 Preliminary round Wolfe Tones (Louth) 1–03 – 1–03 Wolfe Tones (Longford) Drogheda Park, Drogheda
T Crocoran 1–2, A Carter 0–1. J Lynn 1–3.
6 October 1996 Preliminary round replay Wolfe Tones (Longford) 1–07 – 3–11 Wolfe Tones (Louth) Micahel Fay Park, Longford
J Lynn 1–4, W Browne 0–1, B Connell 0–1, J Gilchrist 0–1. O Kelly 0–6, A Carter 1–1, D McCarthy 1–0, M Reynolds 1–0, E Downey 0–2, N McEnaney 0–1, T Corcoran 0–1.

First round

13 October 1996 First round Naomh Bríd 0–09 – 1–01 Glenealy Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow
J Kavanagh 0–4, J Nevin 0–2, D Quirke 0–1, B Maher 0–1, R Sheehan 0–1. T Byrne 1–0, J O'Neill 0–1. Referee: P Direen (Offaly)
13 October 1996 First round Wolfe Tones (Louth) 2–06 – 2–07 Trim Drogheda Park, Drogheda
19 October 1996 First round Lough Lene Gaels 0–16 – 1–11 Coill Dubh Collinstown
B Williams 0–7, F O'Farrell 0–3, J Williams 0–2, P Williams 0–1, J Gavigan 0–1, P Reilly 0–1, P Molloy 0–1. T Carew 0–5, D Anderson 1–0, C Byrne 0–3, N Casey 0–2, R Byrne 0–1.

Quarter-finals

27 October 1996 Quarter-final Trim 0–04 – 1–24 Seir Kieran St. Loman's Park, Trim
D Murray 0–3, R Fitzsimons 0–1. Johnny Dooley 0–9, M Coughlan 0–5, B Dooley 1–1, J Coakley 0–3, C Kelly 0–2, J Connors 0–2, S Dooley 0–1, Joe Dooley 0–1. Referee: A Mac Suibhne (Dublin)
27 October 1996 Quarter-final Camross 1–17 – 0–08 Lough Lene Gaels St. Fintan's GAA Grounds, Mountrath
J Dollard 0–7, D Culleton 1–2, O Dowling 0–3, R Cuddy 0–2, P Hogan 0–1, M Collier 0–1, B Moore 0–1. B Williams 0–3, J Gavigan 0–2, P Williams 0–1, M Shaw 0–1, J Williams 0–1. Referee: L Doyle (Wexford)
27 October 1996 Quarter-final Naomh Bríd 1–10 – 3–17 O'Toole's Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow
J Kavanagh 0–4, A Dowling 1–0, J Nevin 0–2, J Fitzpatrick 0–1, B Lawler 0–1, N Kane 0–1. J Brennan 0–11, P Donoghue 2–0, K Flynn 1–0, J Morris 0–2, M Dunne 0–2, E Morrissey 0–2. Referee: P Dunphy (Kilkenny)
3 November 1996 Quarter-final Rathnure 2–09 – 0–10 Young Irelands Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
P Codd 1–2, M Morrissey 1–1, J Codd 0–2, C Byrne 0–1, M Byrne 0–1, R Guiney 0–1, A Codd 0–1. J McDermott 0–3, C Carter 0–3, B Treacy 0–2, DJ Carey 0–2. Referee: P Delaney (Laois)

Semi-finals

10 November 1996 Semi-final Camross 2–06 – 0–10 Rathnure Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
M Collier 1–1, G Danne 1–0, J Dollard 0–3, O Dowling 0–1, PJ Cuddy 0–1. J Holohan 0–3, J Mooney 0–2, M Byrne 0–2, P Codd 0–2, A Codd 0–1.
10 November 1996 Semi-final Seir Kieran 3–10 – 1–16 O'Toole's O'Moore Park, Portlaoise
Johnny Dooley 1–7, M Mulrooeny 1–0, J Connors 1–0, K Dooley 0–1, N Coughlan 0–1, K Kelly 0–1. M Morrissey 1–6, J Brennan 0–6, M Dunne 0–1, K Flynn 0–1, P Benoughue 0–1, N Hearns 0–1.
16 November 1996 Semi-final replay Seir Kieran 2–09 – 0–18 O'Toole's O'Moore Park, Portlaoise
M Mulrooney 1–1, B Dooley 1–0, J Kealy 0–3, J Coakley 0–2, Joe Dooley 0–1, M Coughlan 0–1, K Dooley 0–1. J Brennan 0–9, E Morrissey 0–5, S Kearns 0–2, M Healy 0–1, P Donoghue 0–1. Referee: P Ahearne (Carlow)

Final

1 December 1996 Final Camross 1–12 – 2–05 O'Toole's Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
J Dollard 0–7, PJ Cuddy 1–1, D Culleton 0–2, F Dowling 0–1, M Collier 0–1. D Morris 1–0, N Howard 1–0, E Morrissey 0–2, J Brennan 0–2, P Donoghue 0–1. Referee: D Murphy (Wexford)

Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship

Quarter-finals

12 October 1996 Quarter-final Ballygunner 1–18 – 0–11 Na Piarsaigh Walsh Park, Waterford
P Flynn 1–12, M Mahony 0–2, D O'Sullivan 0–1, T Carroll 0–1, L Whitty 0–1, B O'Sullivan 0–1. Mark Mullins 0–7, Mickey Mullins 0–2, J. A. Moran 0–2. Referee: W Barrett (Tipperary)
13 October 1996 Quarter-final Ballyheigue 2–07 – 1–12 Wolfe Tones John Joe O'Sullivan Park, Ballyheigue
B O'Sullivan 1–3, J Healy 1–1, M Slattery 0–2, L O'Mahony 0–1. Paul O'Rourke 1–2, P Keary 0–5, F Lohan 0–2, B Lohan 0–1, J Riordan 0–1, C O'Neill 0–1. Referee: G Harrington (Cork)

Semi-finals

10 November 1996 Semi-final Boherlahan-Dualla 1–13 – 2–16 Ballygunner Semple Stadium, Thurles
A Flanagan 0–9, P O'Dwyer 1–0, B O'Dwyer 0–2, M Murphy 0–1, L Maher 0–1. M Mahony 1–3, P Flynn 0–5, D Codd 1–0, B O'Sullivan 0–3, T Carroll 0–2, L Whitty 0–1, F Hartley 0–1, P Power 0–1. Referee: P O'Connor (Limerick)
10 November 1996 Semi-final Wolfe Tones 1–11 – 0–09 Patrickswell Páirc na Sionna, Shannon
Paul O'Rourke 0–4, C O'Neill 1–0, P Keary 0–3, P Lee 0–3, Pat O'Rourke 0–1. G Kirby 0–5, E Geary 0–2, A Carmody 0–1, N Carey 0–1. Referee: W Barrett (Tipperary)

Final

24 November 1996 Final Wolfe Tones 4–09 – 4–08 Ballygunner Semple Stadium, Thurles
Paul O'Rourke 2–4, P Lee 1–2, F Carrig 1–1, P Keary 0–2. Full video of match P Flynn 2–4, P Power 1–1, G Ryan 1–1, B O'Sullivan 0–2. Referee: P O'Connor (Limerick)

Ulster Senior Club Hurling Championship

Semi-finals

22 September 1996 Semi-final Keady Lámh Dhearg 1–07 – 5–09 Portaferry Keady
P McCormick 0-4, V Mone 1-0, G Mone 0-1, E McKee 0-1, R Murray 0-1. N Sands 3-3, J Convery 1-2, S McGrattan 1-2, S Murray 0-1, B Coleman 0-1, B Braniff 0-1.
22 September 1996 Semi-final Ruairí Óg Cushendall 2–15 – 1–07 Kevin Lynch's Fr. Healy Park, Loughguile
J Carson 0-8, Ruairí McNaughton 1-2, J McKillop 1-0, M McCambridge 0-2, T McNaughton 0-2, F McAillister 0-1. G McGonigle 1-7.

Final

27 October 1996 Final Ruairí Óg Cushendall 3–09 – 2–08 Portaferry Casement Park, Belfast
A Delargy 1-1, Conor McCambridge 0-4, Ruairi McNaughton 1-0, A McGuile 1-0, J Carson 0-2, T McNaughton 0-1, M McCambridge 0-1. N Sands 1-3, P Rodgers 1-0, B Coleman 0-1, G McGrattan 0-1, B Braniff 0-1, G Adair 0-1, J Convery 0-1.

All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship

Quarter-final

15 December 1996 Quarter-final St. Gabriel's 1–08 – 3–15 Athenry Emerald GAA Grounds, Ruislip
M Lyons 0–4, B Hayes 1–0, D Quinlan 0–3, K Grogan 0–1. P Healy 2–1, B Hanley 1–3, C Moran 0–6, A Ponirad 0–2, J Rabbitte 0–2, B Keogh 0–1.

Semi-finals

16 February 1997 Semi-final Wolfe Tones 2–08 – 1–10 Ruairí Óg Parnell Park, Dublin
P Keary 1–2, D Collins 1–0, P O'Rourke 0–2, F Lohan 0–1, P O'Rourke 0–1, F Carrig 0–1, P Lee 0–1. C McCambridge 1–4, A Delargy 0–2, C McCambridge 0–1, M McCambridge 0–1, J Carson 0–1, R McNaughton 0–1. Referee: D Murphy (Wexford)
16 February 1997 Semi-final Athenry 4–17 – 3–03 Camross Semple Stadium, Thurles
E Cloonan 1–9, D Moran 2–2, B Hanley 1–2, J Rabbitte 0–2, C Moran 0–2. J Dollard 1–2, O Dowling 1–1, D Culleton 1–0. Referee: M Wadding (Waterford)

Final

17 March 1997 Final Athenry 0–14 – 1–08 Wolfe Tones Croke Park, Dublin
E Cloonan 0–9, B Higgins 0–1, P Higgins 0–1, C Moran 0–1, P Healy 0–1, A Poniard 0–1. Report P Keary 0–5, D Collins 1–0, P Lee 0–1, F Carrig 0–1, F Lohan 0–1. Attendance: 34,852
Referee: D Murphy (Wexford)

Championship statistics

Top scorers

Rank Player Club Tally Total Matches Average
1 Paul Flynn Ballygunner 3–21 30 3 10.00
2 Jamesie Brennan O'Toooles 0–27 27 3 9.00
3 Johnny Dooley Seir Kieran 2–16 22 3 7.33
Paul Seevers Tubbercurry 1–19 22 3 7.33
Joe Dollard Camross 1–19 22 4 5.50
6 Paul O'Rourke Wolfe Tones 3–12 21 5 4.20
Eugene Cloonan Athenry 1–18 21 2 10.50
8 Paul Keary Wolfe Tones 1–17 20 5 4.00
9 Noel Sands Portaferry 4–06 18 2 9.00
10 Cathal Moran Athenry 0–15 15 4 3.75

References

  1. ^ Breheny, Martin (15 March 2011). "All-Ireland Club Hurling". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  2. ^ O'Sullivan, Jim (30 November 2002). "Sixmilebridge have the experience to shatter Mount Sion's dream". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  3. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (13 March 2003). "Dunloy now have belief they can find Holy Grail". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  4. ^ Campbell, John (26 February 2003). "GAA: O'Neill's Dunloy rally call". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  5. ^ "Renaissance men". Irish Independent. 13 May 2001. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  6. ^ "Club Titles - Clare". Hogan Stand. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  7. ^ Larkin, Brendan (18 October 2004). "DJ-Carter combo topples Tullaroan". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  8. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (22 October 2005). "O'Connell taking it all in his stride". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  9. ^ "Cloonan at crossroads in search of fulfillment". Irish Independent. 8 May 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2020.