Pat Mulcahy (Cork hurler)

Not to be confused with Pat Mulcahy (Limerick hurler).

Pat Mulcahy

Personal information
Irish name	Pádraig Ó Maolcathaigh
Sport	Hurling
Position	Full Back
Born	(1975-08-25) 25 August 1975 (age 48) Newtownshandrum, County Cork, Ireland
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Occupation	Network analyst
Club(s)
Years	Club
	Newtownshandrum Avondhu
Club titles
Cork titles	5
Munster titles	3
All-Ireland Titles	1
Inter-county(ies)
Years	County	Apps (scores)
1997-2006	Cork	18 (0-00)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles	4
All-Irelands	2
NHL	1
All Stars	1

Pat Mulcahy (born 25 August 1975) is an Irish hurler who played as a Full back for the Cork senior team.

Mulcahy made his first appearance for the team during the 1997 championship and was a regular member of the starting fifteen until his retirement almost a decade later. During that time he won two All-Ireland winners' medal, four Munster winners' medals and one All-Star award. He ended up as an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.

At club level Mulcahy is an All-Ireland medalist with Newtownshandrum. In addition to this he has also won three Munster winners' medals and five county club championship winners' medals.

In retirement from inter-county hurling Mulcahy became involved in team management and coaching. In 2011 he was appointed manager of the Cork Institute of Technology senior hurling team.

Playing career

Club

Mulcahy plays his club hurling with Newtownshandrum and has enjoyed much success in a lengthy career.

He tasted his first major success with the club in 1996 when he won a county intermediate championship medal following a 0-12 to 0-9 defeat of Cloyne. As a result of this victory Newtown joined the top tier of club hurling in Cork for the first time in history.

That same year Mulcahy lined out with the Avondhu divisional team that reached the final of the county senior championship. Neighbouring division Imokilly provided the opposition, however, a 1-12 apiece draw was the result. Avondhu won the replay by two points giving Mulcahy his first county senior championship medal.

Four years later in 2000, Mulcahy enjoyed the ultimate success with Newtownshandrum. A 0-14 to 0-11 defeat of Erin's Own gave him his second county senior championship medal. ^[1]

After a few seasons out of the spotlight Newtownshandrum were back in 2003. A 0-17 to 0-9 defeat of three-in-a-row hopefuls Blackrock gave Mulcahy his third county senior championship medal. Newtown later represented Cork in the provincial series and even reached the final. A 2-18 to 2-9 defeat of Patrickswell gave Mulcahy his first Munster winners' medal. ^[2] Newtownshandrum subsequently reached the All-Ireland final where Dunloy were the opponents. The northerners provided little opposition and a one-sided contest resulted in a 0-17 to 1-6 victory for Newtownshandrum. It was Mulcahy's first All-Ireland medal. ^[3]

After surrendering their titles in 2004, Newtownshandrum were back in the county championship decider again the following year. A 0-15 to 0-9 defeat of Cloyne gave Mulcahy his fourth county senior championship medal. ^[4] He later added a second Munster medal to his collection following a narrow 0-16 to 1-12 defeat of Ballygunner. ^[5] Newtown subsequently reached the All-Ireland decider again where Portumna provided the opposition. A masterclass by Joe Canning and his brother Ollie resulted in a defeat for Mulcahy's side by 2-8 to 1-6. ^[6]

While many expected Newtownshandrum to go into decline, the team bounced back in 2009 to reach another county championship final. A 3-22 to 1-12 thrashing of reigning champions Sarsfield's gave Mulcahy a fifth county senior championship medal. ^[7] He later won a third Munster medal following a 2-11 to 2-9 defeat of Ballygunner. ^[8]

Inter-county

Mulcahy first played for Cork as a member of the under-21 hurling team in 1995. He enjoyed little success in this grade.^{[ citation needed ]}

Two years later in 1997 Mulcahy was captain of the Cork intermediate hurling team. He won a Munster medal in this grade that year following a 1-15 to 1-12 defeat of Limerick. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland decider. A 2-11 to 1-12 defeat of Galway gave Mulcahy an All-Ireland medal.^{[ citation needed ]}

Mulcahy made his senior debut for Cork in their opening championship game against Kerry in 2000. He remained on the periphery of the team until 2003 when he secured a regular place on the starting fifteen. He won his second Munster medal that year following a 3-16 to 3-12 defeat of Waterford. Cork later reached the All-Ireland decider where Kilkenny provided the opposition. A close game developed, however, a Martin Comerford goal secured the title for "the Cats" on a score line of 1-14 to 1-11.^{[ citation needed ]}

In 2004, because of a car accident he missed most of Cork's successful championship campaign, however, he returned at corner-back the following year. He won a second provincial medal in Cork's Munster final triumph over Tipperary. Later championship victories set up an All-Ireland final showdown with Galway. A Ben O'Connor goal on that occasion helped Cork to a 1-21 to 1-16 victory and a first All-Ireland medal for Mulcahy. He was later honoured with an All-Star award.^{[ citation needed ]}

Mulcahy was appointed captain of the Cork senior hurling team in 2006 as Cork continued their winning ways. ^[9] He won his third Munster medal that year as Tipperary were accounted for in the provincial decider once again. Cork later reached the All-Ireland final where they were in search of their third consecutive championship. Kilkenny stood in their way and secured the victory courtesy of an Aidan Fogarty goal.^{[ citation needed ]}

Mulcahy retired from inter county hurling at the end of 2006. ^[10]

Inter-provincial

Mulcahy also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial championship. He won his sole Railway Cup medal in 2005 as Munster defeated Leinster by 1-21 to 2-14 in Boston. ^[11]

Managerial career

Cork Institute of Technology

Mulcahy was appointed manager of the Cork Institute of Technology senior hurling team in 2011. ^[12] He led them to the final of the 2011 Cork Senior Hurling Championship where they had a surprise loss to Carrigtwohill.

Honours

Team

Newtownshandrum

• All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship (1): 2004
• Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship (3): 2003, 2005, 2009
• Cork Senior Club Hurling Championship (4): 2000, 2003, 2005, 2009

Avondhu

• Cork Senior Club Hurling Championship (1): 1996

Cork

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (2): 2004, 2005
• Munster Senior Hurling Championship (3): 2003, 2005, 2006 (c)

Munster

• Railway Cup (1): 2005

References

1. "First title for Newtownshandrum". Hogan Stand website. 16 October 2000. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
2. Hogan, Vincent (1 December 2003). "Rebels trip light fantastic". Irish Independent. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
3. "Newtown's strong points carry the day". Irish Independent. 18 March 2004. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
4. "Newtown's all-star cast back in business". Irish Independent. 17 October 2005. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
5. Breheny, Martin (5 December 2005). "Newtown hold nerve". Irish Independent. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
6. "Canning duo lift Portumna". Irish Independent. 18 March 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
7. "Newtownshandrum show Sars who's boss". Breaking News website. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
8. Kirwan, Eddie (4 December 2009). "Brave Ballygunner battle to the death". Munster Express. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
9. "Mulcahy is honoured". Hogan Stand website. 3 February 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
10. "Mulcahy axed from Cork panel". Hogan Stand website. 9 February 2007. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
11. "Fitzy & Gilly Help Munster To Success". Sixmilebridge GAA website. 7 November 2005. Archived from the original on 1 January 2010. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
12. "Mulcahy takes CIT reins". Hogan Stand website. 14 January 2011. Retrieved 22 October 2012.