1997–98 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship

All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship 1997–98
Championship Details
Dates21 September 1997 – 17 March 1998
Teams28
All Ireland Champions
WinnersBirr (2nd win)
CaptainJoe Errity
ManagerPad Joe Whelahan
All Ireland Runners-up
Runners-upSarsfields
CaptainPádraig Kelly
Provincial Champions
MunsterClarecastle
LeinsterBirr
UlsterDunloy
ConnachtSarsfields
Championship Statistics
Matches Played31
Top Scorer Ken Ralph (4–28)

The 1997–98 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship was the 28th 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 21 September 1997 to 17 March 1998.

Wolfe Tones na Sionna of Clare were the defending champions, however, they failed to qualify after being beaten by Sixmilebridge in the quarter-finals of the 1996 Clare SHC.[2][3] Dunnamaggin of Kilkenny and Sarsfields of Cork made their championship debuts.[4][5]

The All-Ireland final was played at Croke Park in Dublin on 17 March 1998, between Birr of Offaly and Sarsfields of Galway, in what was a first championship meeting between the teams. Birr won the match by 1–13 to 0–09 to claim a second title.[6][7]

Clarecastle's Ken Ralph was the championship's top scorer with 4–28.

Results

First round

4 October 1997 First round St. Mary's 1–10 – 1–04 Tubbercurry Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry
B Beirne 0–6, D O'Grady 1–0, B Whelan 0–2, B Carroll 0–1, P Carroll 0–1. M Gorman 1–0, K Killeen 0–2, R Brennan 0–1, E Morley 0–1.

Second round

18 October 1997 Second round St. Mary's 1–04 – 2–13 Tooreen Aghamore
B Beirne 0–2, J Keane 0–1, D O'Grady 0–1. Dom Greally 0–6, A Hession 1–1, Declan Greally 1–0, N Delaney 1–0 (og), J Cunnane 0–2, R Robinson 0–1, R Delaney 0–1, F Delaney 0–1, K Greally 0–1. Referee: D McDermott (Roscommon)

Semi-final

1 November 1997 Semi-final Four Roads 0–15 – 1–14 Tooreen Ballyforan
J Mannion 0–8, R Mulry 0–2, F Grehan 0–2, M Cunniffe 0–1, P Mannion 0–1, D Lohan 0–1. Dom Greally 1–10, M Trench 0–1, A Heesion 0–1, J Cunnane 0–1, J Henry 0–1. Referee: M Bodkin (Galway)

Final

6 December 1997 Final Sarsfields 5–15 – 1–05 Tooreen Peadar Early Memorial Park
J Cooney 2–3, A Donohue 1–6, J McGrath 1–2, P Cooney 1–0, N Morrissey 0–2, M Ward 0–1, P Kelly 0–1. A Hession 1–0, D Greally 0–3, G Glavey 0–1, F Delaney 0–1.

First round

19 October 1997 First round Naomh Moninne 0–09 – 2–15 St. Mullin's Dundalk
D Dunne 0–4, P Dunne 0–1, J Temple 0–1, C Connolly 0–1, J Kennedy 0–1, A Hoey 0–1. P Coady 0–10, P Murphy 1–1, M Ryan 1–0, J McDonnell 0–2, D Doyle 0–2.
25 October 1997 First round Naas 5–24 – 0–09 Longford Slashers Sallins Road, Naas
M Hennessy 2–4, J Brennan 1–5, J Kinlon 2–1, M Boran 0–6, E Denieff 0–4, B McGovern 0–1, R Coyle 0–1, B Behan 0–1, L Moloney 0–1. J McDermott 0–7, G Ghee 0–1, B O'Connor 0–1.
25 October 1997 First round Rathmolyon 0–08 – 1–10 Kiltegan St. Loman's Park, Trim
J Gorry 0–4, N Cole 0–1, M Cole 0–1, D Tuile 0–1, S Ennis 0–1. J Keogh 1–6, S Byrne 0–2, G Wynne 0–1, M Cullen 0–1.
26 October 1997 First round Castletown 3–17 – 2–10 Lough Lene Gaels Kelly Daly Park, Rathdowney
P Phelan 1–3, D Cuddy 0–6, J O'Sullivan 1–1, F O'Sullivan 0–4, M O'Sullivan 1–0, P Cuddy 0–3. P Williams 0–4, C Murtagh 0–4, M Williams 1–0, A Murray 1–0, G Briordy 0–1, J Williams.

Quarter-finals

1 November 1997 Quarter-final Castletown 0–17 – 1–14 Oulart-the Ballagh Kelly Daly Park, Rathdowney
P Phelan 0–6, F O'Sullivan 0–4, D Cuddy 0–3, J O'Sullivan 0–2, Paul Cuddy 0–1, Paudge Cuddy 0–1. P Finn 0–6, D O'Connor 1–0, P Redmond 0–3, J Mythen 0–2, M Storey 0–1, L Dunne 0–1, P Rossiter 0–1.
2 November 1997 Quarter-final Kiltegan 1–06 – 3–15 Birr Pearse Park, Arklow
J Keogh 0–4, N Cremin 1–0, K Furlong 0–2. D Pilkington 3–0, G Cahill 0–5, P Carroll 0–3, D Regan 0–3, D Hanniffy 0–2, S Whelehan 0–1, J Pilkington 0–1. Referee: P Neary (Kilkenny)
2 November 1997 Quarter-final St. Mullin's 0–13 – 4–15 O'Toole's Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow
P Coady 0–6, D Doyle 0–3, P Murphy 0–2, D Kavanagh 0–1, S Gahan 0–1. J Brennan 1–9, É Morrissey 1–4, K Horgan 1–1, P Donoghue 1–0, J Morris 0–1. Referee: P Moran (Westmeath)
2 November 1997 Quarter-final Naas 1–06 – 1–11 Dunnamaggin Sallins Road, Naas
J Kinlon 1–2, T Shanahan 0–3, C Boran 0–1. M Moran 0–7, K O'Shea 1–0, S Ryan 0–3, E Kennedy 0–1. Referee: C Byrne (Wicklow)
8 November 1997 Quarter-final replay Oulart-the Ballagh 0–10 – 1–08 Castletown Bellefield, Enniscorthy
P Finn 0–4, S Dunne 0–2, M Storey 0–2, D O'Connor 0–1, P Redmond 0–1. P Phelan 1–5, D Cuddy 0–2, E Kirwan 0–1. Referee: P Dunphy (Kilkenny)

Semi-finals

16 November 1997 Semi-final Castletown 3–08 – 2–09 O'Toole's Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
D Cuddy 1–5, P Phelan 1–1, M Cuddy 1–0, Paul Cuddy 0–2. K Flynn 2–0, J Brennan 0–6, J Morris 0–1, P Donohue 0–1, D Hernon 0–1. Referee: P Horan (Offaly)
16 November 1997 Semi-final Birr 1–19 – 1–07 Dunnamaggin O'Moore Park, Portlaoise
G Cahill 0–6, P Carroll 0–5, Brian Whelehan 1–1, D Hanniffy 0–3, D Pilkington 0–3, J Pilkington 0–1. M Moran 0–6, James Hickey 1–0, S Ryan 0–1. Referee: P Ahearne (Carlow)

Final

30 November 1997 Final Birr 0–11 – 0–05 Castletown Nowlan Park, Kilkenny
G Cahill 0–4, D Hanniffy 0–2, D Pilkington 0–2, C Hanniffy 0–1, P Carroll 0–1, L Power 0–1. David Cuddy 0–2, Cyril Cuddy 0–1, Patrick Phelan 0–1, F O'Sullivan 0–1. Referee: P Neary (Kilkenny)

Quarter-finals

26 October 1997 Quarter-final Ballyheigue 1–09 – 1–13 Patrickswell John Joe O'Sullivan Park, Ballyheigue
B O'Sullivan 0–5, J Lucid 1–1, M Slattery 0–2, WJ Lean 0–1. G Kirby 1–10, K Carey 0–2, B Foley 0–1. Referee: S McMahon (Clare)
26 October 1997 Quarter-final Sarsfields 1–13 – 1–13 Ballygunner Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork
P Ryan 0–7, J Murphy 1–2, T McCarthy 0–1, T Óg Lynch 0–1, J Barry 0–1, G Murphy 0–1. P Power 1–4, T Carroll 0–2, L Whitty 0–2, M O'Mahony 0–2, F Hartley 0–1, T Fives 0–1, B O'Sullivan 0–1.
9 November 1997 Quarter-final replay Ballygunner 3–11 – 2–07 Sarsfields Walsh Park, Waterford
P Flynn 2–3, T Carroll 0–4, M Mahony 1–0, B O'Sullivan 0–2, L Whitty 0–1, P Power 0–1. P Ryan 2–4, P Gahan 0–1, J Murphy 0–1, T McCarthy 0–1. Referee: W Barrett (Tipperary)

Semi-finals

16 November 1997 Semi-final Patrickswell 0–18 – 0–14 Clonoulty-Rossmore Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
G Kirby 0–8, A Carmody 0–4, D O'Grady 0–4, B Foley 0–1, E Geary 0–1. M Kennedy 0–7, D Ryan 0–4, M Quirke 0–1, A Butler 0–1, K Ryan 0–1. Referee: W Horgan (Cork)
30 November 1997 Semi-final Clarecastle 1–16 – 0–16 Ballygunner Semple Stadium
K Ralph 1–7, A Neville 0–3, G O'Loughlin 0–2, F Tuohy 0–2, J Healy 0–1, R Fitzgerald 0–1. P Flynn 0–6, B O'Sullivan 0–4, T Carroll 0–2, M O'Mahony 0–1, P Power 0–1, C Sweeney 0–1, D O'Sullivan 0–1. Referee: J McDonnell (Tipperary)

Final

7 December 1997 Final Clarecastle 2–11 – 0–15 Patrickswell Semple Stadium, Thurles
K Ralph 1–4, A Neville 1–1, D Scanlan 0–4, P Healy 0–2. G Kirby 0–11, D O'Grady 0–2, J McDermott 0–1, B Foley 0–1. Referee: M Wadding (Waterford)

Semi-finals

21 September 1997 Semi-final Keady Lámh Dhearg 0–10 – 3–17 Lavey Athletic Grounds, Armagh
G Mone 0–3, K Hatzer 0–2, V Mone 0–2, K Mone 0–1, G Enright 0–1, E McKee 0–1. M McCormack 1–5, F McNally 1–3, H Downey 1–1, O Collins 0–4, B McCormack 0–2, J McGurk 0–1, S Downey 0–1.
21 September 1997 Semi-final Dunloy 1–15 – 1–08 Ballygalget Casement Park, Belfast
G O'Kane 1–7, A Elliott 0–3, L Richmond 0–3, M Molloy 0–1, C McGuckian 0–1, J Elliott 0–1. G Clarke 1–1, J McGrattan 0–4, C McGrattan 0–1, B Coulter 0–1, B Savage 0–1.

Final

5 October 1997 Final Dunloy 3–16 – 4–10 Lavey Casement Park, Belfast
G O'Kane 1–8, A Elliott 1–1, J Elliott 0–4, L Richmond 1–0, T McGrath 0–2, N Elliott 0–1. O Collins 2–4, P McCoy 1–0, F McNally 1–0, A McCrystal 0–2, B McCormack 0–2, M McCormack 0–2, M Collins 0–1. Referee: JA Gribben (Down)

Quarter-final

14 December 1997 Quarter-final St. Gabriel's 1–07 – 2–24 Clarecastle Emerald GAA Grounds, Ruislip
A Burke 1–1, R Murphy 0–3 (0–1 free, 0–1 65), D Murphy 0–2, D Quinlan 0–1. K Ralph 1–8 (0–1 free), F Tuohy 0–6, A Neville 1–0, D Scanlon 0–3, P Healy 0–2 (0–1 65, 0–1 free), G O'Loughlin 0–2, A Daly, R Fitzgerald, 0–1 each. Referee: T McIntyre (Antrim)

Semi-final

15 February 1998 Semi-final Birr 1–15 – 3–09 Clarecastle Semple Stadium, Thurles
G Cahill 0–6, D Pilkington 1–1, G Hanniffy 0–2, D Hanniffy 0–2, J Pilkington 0–1, L Power 0–1, P Carroll 0–1, O O'Neill 0–1. D Scanlan 2–3, K Ralph 1–4, F Tuohy 0–1, G O'Loughlin 0–1. Referee: W Barrett (Tipperary)
15 February 1998 Semi-final Sarsfields 3–14 – 4–11 Dunloy Cusack Park, Mullingar
A Donohue 1–10, P Kelly 2–1, J McGrath 0–1, P Forde 0–1, P Cooney 0–1. G O'Kane 1–6, A Elliot 2–0, T McGrath 1–1, J Elliot 0–2, N Elliot 0–1, C McGuckian 0–1. Referee: P O'Connor (Limerick)
28 February 1998 Semi-final replay Birr 0–12 – 0–11
(aet)
Clarecastle Semple Stadium, Thurles
G Cahill 0–4, D Hanniffy 0–4, D Regan 0–2, Brian Whelehan 0–1, J Pilkington 0–1. K Ralph 0–5, G O'Loughlin 0–2, A Neville 0–1, D Scanlan 0–1, A Daly 0–1, P Healy 0–1. Attendance: 5,050
Referee: W Barrett (Tipperary)
1 March 1998 Semi-final replay Sarsfields 1–15 – 1–11 Dunloy Cusack Park, Mullingar
A Donohue 0–6, M McGrath 1–1, P Kelly 0–2, J Cooney 0–2, P Forde 0–1, M Stratford 0–1, J McGrath 0–1, N Morrissey 0–1. Gregory O'Kane 0–7, A Elliott 1–2, M Molloy 0–1, Gary O'Kane 0–1. Referee: P O'Connor (Limerick)

Final

17 March 1998 Final Birr 1–13 – 0–09 Sarsfields Croke Park, Dublin
14:00 D Hanniffy 1–3, G Cahill 0–3, D Pilkington 0–2, J Pilkington 0–2, Daithí Regan 0–1, Barry Whelehan 0–1, C McGlone 0–1. A Donohue 0–6, Peter Kelly 0–2, J McGrath 0–1. Referee: W Barrett (Tipperary)

Championship Statistics

Scoring

Top scorers overall
Rank Player Club Tally Total Matches Average
1 Ken Ralph Clarecastle 4–28 40 5 8.00
2 Gregory O'Kane Dunloy 3–28 37 4 9.25
3 Aidan Donohue Sarsfields 2–28 34 4 8.50
4 Gary Kirby Patrickswell 1–29 32 3 10.66
5 Gary Cahill Birr 0–28 28 6 4.66
6 Dom Greally Tooreen 1–19 22 3 7.33
7 Declan Pilkington Birr 4-08 20 6 3.33
8 Darren Hanniffy Birr 1–16 19 6 3.16
9 Alistair Elliott Dunloy 4-06 18 4 4.50
Jamesie Brennan O'Toole's 1–15 18 2 9.00
10 Pat Ryan Sarsfields 2–11 17 2 8.50
Top scorers in a single game
Rank Player Club Tally Total Opposition
1 Dom Greally Tooreen 1–10 13 Four Roads Hurling Club
Gary Kirby Patrickswell 1–10 13 Ballyheigue
Aidan Donohue Sarsfields 1–10 13 Dunloy
2 Jamesie Brennan O'Toole's 1-09 12 St. Mullin's
3 Gregory O'Kane Dunloy 1-08 11 Lavey
Ken Ralph Clarecastle 1-08 11 St. Gabriel's
Gary Kirby Patrickswell 0–11 11 Clarecastle
4 Mark Hennessy Naas 2-04 10 Longford Slashers
Pat Ryan Sarsfields 2-04 10 Ballygunner
Ollie Collins Lavey 2-04 10 Dunloy
Gregory O'Kane Dunloy 1-07 10 Ballygalget
Ken Ralph Clarecastle 1-07 10 Ballygunner
Pat Coady St. Mullin's 0–10 10 Naomh Moninne

References

  1. ^ Breheny, Martin (15 March 2011). "All-Ireland Club Hurling". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  2. ^ O'Flynn, Diarmuid (22 October 2005). "O'Connell taking it all in his stride". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  3. ^ "Cloonan at crossroads in search of fulfillment". Irish Independent. 8 May 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  4. ^ "Dunnamaggin are superb". Irish Times. 13 October 1997. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Imokilly hurlers recall senior county success 25 years on". Echo Live. 5 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Whelehan majestic as Birr heroes conquer Sarsfields". Irish Independent. 18 March 1998. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  7. ^ Corrigan, Kevin (15 January 2021). "FEATURE: Magnificent Birr were a real force of nature during their glorious heyday". Offaly Live. Retrieved 18 January 2025.