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Seanie O'Leary RIP

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It is with great sadness that we learn this evening of the death of one of hurling's greats, Seanie O'Leary of Youghal & Cork. Seanie was one of the greatest goal scorers I have ever seen. His 2 goals in the 1984 Centenary All-Ireland Final and his goal in that year's Munster Final were pure magic. Rest in Peace Seanie and look John Horgan up when you arrive at the pearly gates. Thanks for all the enjoyment. AwbegRover (Cork) - Posts: 136 - 01/12/2021 19:51:24 2391348 Link
Ah! That's sad. One of the heroes of my childhood. Saw him playing a few times against Dublin and once in Croke Park against Galway i think. Great player. One of those players you'd never mistake for anyone else! Ar dheis Dé, is araile.. BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2554 - 02/12/2021 09:36:43 2391366 Link
Replying To AwbegRover: "It is with great sadness that we learn this evening of the death of one of hurling's greats, Seanie O'Leary of Youghal & Cork. Seanie was one of the greatest goal scorers I have ever seen. His 2 goals in the 1984 Centenary All-Ireland Final and his goal in that year's Munster Final were pure magic. Rest in Peace Seanie and look John Horgan up when you arrive at the pearly gates. Thanks for all the enjoyment." Yes indeed, a fine player- he also scored a brilliant goal that arguably swung the game in Cork's favour in the Munster Semi Final that year, against Limerick. Gone alas too soon- may he Rest in Peace. Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4318 - 02/12/2021 09:56:50 2391372 Link
Brilliant hurler and a prolific goal scorer.never looked like a hurler but he definitely was.May he rest in peace. CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3675 - 02/12/2021 10:46:19 2391383 Link
Replying To AwbegRover: "It is with great sadness that we learn this evening of the death of one of hurling's greats, Seanie O'Leary of Youghal & Cork. Seanie was one of the greatest goal scorers I have ever seen. His 2 goals in the 1984 Centenary All-Ireland Final and his goal in that year's Munster Final were pure magic. Rest in Peace Seanie and look John Horgan up when you arrive at the pearly gates. Thanks for all the enjoyment." I started a thread on this myself yesterday but obviously no need for 2, so admin rightly omitted it. Anyway, this echoes my sentiments. One of the great old school corner forwards. Relying on quick thought and wristy skill to outfox defenders. A real character of the game and unlikely that we will see another exponent of his style and artistry again, as the game has changed. RIP. BaldyBadger (Cork) - Posts: 311 - 02/12/2021 11:03:54 2391386 Link
One of the greatest goal poachers I have seen in 50 years watching hurling. His goals weren't always spectacular but he seemed to always come up with a score when it was most needed. He also managed the odd point, the most vital one probably being the last minute winner in the 1976 Munster final against Tipp, which kick-started their three in a row. He even managed that one without a hurley, probably taking too many steps before handpassing the ball over the bar. I also remember him getting a nasty belt of a sliotar in the face during the puck-around before an All-ireland final (I can't recall which one). It didn't bother him, however, as he went on to give his usual top-class performance. One of the greats, and very popular with his Cork fans. May he rest in peace. midlands (Westmeath) - Posts: 542 - 02/12/2021 11:18:39 2391389 Link
My condolences to the family of Seánie O'Leary, may he rest in peace. KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 02/12/2021 11:38:26 2391398 Link
Replying To midlands: "One of the greatest goal poachers I have seen in 50 years watching hurling. His goals weren't always spectacular but he seemed to always come up with a score when it was most needed. He also managed the odd point, the most vital one probably being the last minute winner in the 1976 Munster final against Tipp, which kick-started their three in a row. He even managed that one without a hurley, probably taking too many steps before handpassing the ball over the bar. I also remember him getting a nasty belt of a sliotar in the face during the puck-around before an All-ireland final (I can't recall which one). It didn't bother him, however, as he went on to give his usual top-class performance. One of the greats, and very popular with his Cork fans. May he rest in peace." He was injured during warm up in one of the classic games against Wexford in 1977 I think? don't think he played in that? BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2554 - 02/12/2021 11:41:03 2391401 Link
Replying To midlands: "One of the greatest goal poachers I have seen in 50 years watching hurling. His goals weren't always spectacular but he seemed to always come up with a score when it was most needed. He also managed the odd point, the most vital one probably being the last minute winner in the 1976 Munster final against Tipp, which kick-started their three in a row. He even managed that one without a hurley, probably taking too many steps before handpassing the ball over the bar. I also remember him getting a nasty belt of a sliotar in the face during the puck-around before an All-ireland final (I can't recall which one). It didn't bother him, however, as he went on to give his usual top-class performance. One of the greats, and very popular with his Cork fans. May he rest in peace." It was either '76 or '77 (probably the latter). I can still remember Michael O'Hehir commenting, "And that's another score from Seanie O'Leary, the man who nearly never played." RIP Seanie; a fantastic hurler! foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 1909 - 02/12/2021 11:53:07 2391404 Link
Google is our friend! He was hit by sliothar in warm up to 1977 final against Wexford but did play and earned the famous quote mentioned above. BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2554 - 02/12/2021 12:23:21 2391410 Link
Hard to believe that Seanie O'Leary has passed away! I remember well how he broke Wexford hearts with his speed and skill. And how Michael O'Hehir used to refer to him as "rolly polly". Wouldn't get away with that now methinks! Selskarexile (Wexford) - Posts: 29 - 02/12/2021 12:58:26 2391421 Link
My deepest sympathies to the family on his death..he was one of the greatest goalscores of the last 40 years,only needed half an opportunity..his goal in 84 from Jbm pass was class..this is not meant in a bad way but I don't think he would make any modern panel due to his physical make up..he showed that class never disappears.. CTGAA10 (Limerick) - Posts: 2214 - 02/12/2021 14:28:14 2391433 Link
Replying To BarneyGrant: "He was injured during warm up in one of the classic games against Wexford in 1977 I think? don't think he played in that?" He played and got a goal. He broke his nose during warm up, and Christy Ring, who was a selector at the time, and a big Seanie Leary fan told him "Get out there.. You don't play hurling with your nose" ! Rockies (Cork) - Posts: 947 - 03/12/2021 13:14:53 2391540 Link
Replying To Rockies: "He played and got a goal. He broke his nose during warm up, and Christy Ring, who was a selector at the time, and a big Seanie Leary fan told him "Get out there.. You don't play hurling with your nose" !" Never heard that one before, but a great one! foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 1909 - 03/12/2021 14:50:37 2391547 Link
R I P Seanie,you scored some great goals and you were a joy to watch,except when you were breaking our hearts,sympathy to all his family. mooncat (Kilkenny) - Posts: 533 - 03/12/2021 17:39:05 2391567 Link
He had retired before I started watching hurling but his legend lived on through my generation and a few that followed. He is an icon here for sure. bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 03/12/2021 17:42:42 2391569 Link
He had retired before I started watching hurling but his legend lived on through my generation and a few that followed. He is an icon here for sure. bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 03/12/2021 17:44:09 2391570 Link