John O'Gorman (October 1943 – 22 January 2024) was an Irish hurler. At club level he played with Cratloe and was also a member of the Clare senior hurling team. O'Gorman, who also served as a selector, is regarded as one of Clare's greatest ever players.[2]

Jackie O'Gorman
Personal information
Irish name Seánie Ó Gormáin
Sport Hurling
Position Left corner-back
Born October 1943[1]
Cratloe,
County Clare, Ireland
Died 22 January 2024 (aged 80)
Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland
Occupation Maintenance foreman
Club(s)
Years Club
1964–1984
Cratloe
Club titles
Clare titles 0
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
1967–1979
Clare
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 0
All-Irelands 0
NHL 2
All Stars 0

Playing career

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O'Gorman began hurling as a schoolboy at Cratloe national school. He progressed through the juvenile ranks with the Cratloe club, however, he received a two-year suspension after being found to be overage for a game against Newmarket-on-Fergus.[3] O'Gorman enjoyed his first club success when Cratloe won the Clare JAHC title in 1964. He added a Clare IHC medal to his collection in 1970.[4]

O'Gorman first appeared for the Clare senior hurling team when he was a substitute in the 1967 Munster final defeat by Tipperary. He made his debut later that year in an Oireachtas Cup game against Wexford. O'Gorman was an ever-present member of the team over the following 12 years. He played in Munster finals in 1972, 1974, 1977 and 1978 but suffered defeat on each occasion. O'Gorman won consecutive National Hurling League medals in 1977 and 1978, before retiring from inter-county hurling in 1979.[5]

O'Gorman also earned selection to the Munster inter-provincial team in the Railway Cup and was an All-Star replacement on a number of occasions.[6] He lost consecutive Clare IHC finals in 1979 and 1980, before ending his club career in 1984.[7]

Coaching career

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O'Gorman became involved with the Clare senior team as a selector shortly after his playing career ended. He was part of the management team when Clare lost the Munster final in both 1981 and 1986.[8] O'Gorman also served as a selector with the Cratloe club when they won the Clare IHC title in 1994.

Personal life and death

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O'Gorman married Joan Bennis from Patrickswell, County Limerick in August 1975. Her brothers, Phil and Richie Bennis, won All-Ireland SHC medals with Limerick in 1973.[9]

O'Gorman died at the Blackrock Clinic in Dublin, on 22 January 2024, at the age of 80.[10][11]

Honours

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Player

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Cratloe
Clare

Management

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Cratloe

References

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  1. ^ "'We've no enforcer in the current Clare team'". Irish Examiner. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Tributes pour in after passing of Clare hurling legend". Clare Live. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Gritty O'Gorman - one of Clare's unsung heroes". The Clare Champion. 10 October 1997. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  4. ^ "Cratloe's own school of excellence". Irish Examiner. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  5. ^ "The forgotten men: hurling". Irish Independent. 27 November 2002. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Railway Cup hurling". Munster GAA website. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  7. ^ "The Seventies". Cratloe GAA website. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Death of fine hurling defender Jackie O'Gorman leaves Clare GAA in mourning". The Clare Echo. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Home is where the heart is in Clare derby duels". The Clare Champion. 15 May 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Death of legendary Clare hurler Jackie O'Gorman". Hogan Stand. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Clare GAA in mourning following the passing of distinguished defender Jackie O'Gorman". Irish Independent. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.