Birr GAA Club were the first hurling club to win four AIB All-Ireland Club Senior Hurling Championships in 1995, 1998, 2002 and 2003. There are seven players from Birr with all four medals.
Birr GAA Club have the honour to have Brian Whelahan as a member and player, the only player to be still playing for his county when named on the An Post/GAA Hurling Team of the Millenium.A great honour for Brian, of which the Club is very proud.
At Birr, the first All Ireland Senior Hurling Final was played on 1st April 1888 between Thurles (representing Tipperary) and Meelick (representing Galway). Although played in April 1888, it was the 1887 Championship Final. Thurles were the winners.
Birr also has the distinction of being the venue for the first ever All-Ireland Club Senior Hurling Final between Roscrea and St Rynagh's in 1971.
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Birr GAA Club Roll of Honour:
Hurling:
Senior:
All-Ireland Club Champions (4): 1995, 1998, 2002, 2003
Leinster Club Champions (7): 1991, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007
County Champions (22): 1912, 1913, 1915, 1938, 1940, 1943, 1944, 1946
1948, 1971, 1991, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001,
2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Intermediate: (4) 1997, 1998, 1999, 2007
Junior: (1) 1995
St Brendan's: (11) 1966, 1979, 1980, 1982 (Birr), 1988, 1990,
1991, 1993, 2003 2006, 2007
Minor: (18) 1929, 1931, 1932, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940,
1954, 1964, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1985, 1987,
1988, 1989, 2003, 2004
Under 16: (29) 1927, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1948, 1949,
1950, 1951, 1953, 1960, 1963, 1967, 1972,
1977, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986,
1987, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005
Under 14: (16) 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1983, 1985
1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2008
Under 12: (5) 1989, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2005
Football:
Junior: (5) 1918, 1946, 1992, 2001, 2005
Under 14: (2) 1982, 1984
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All-Ireland Club Champion Teams
2002/03
Birr 1-19 Dunloy (Antrim) 0-11
At the third attempt Birr finally retained the title for the first time. Within ten minutes of the throw-in the champions led by 0-4 to 0-1 and by the interval they were five to the good (0-8 to 0-3). That pattern continued in the third quarter by the end of which it was 0-15 to 0-8 and Declan Pilkington's goal five minutes from time was merely the icing on the cake.
Birr scorers: - S. Whelahan 0-8, D. Pilkington 1-2, G. Hanniffy 0-2, R. Hanniffy 0-2,
P. Molloy 0-2, S. Browne 0-2, Brian Whelahan 0-1.
Birr: - B. Mullins, G. Cahill, J. Errity, J.P. O'Meara, N. CIaffey, Brian Whelahan,
D. Franks, Barry Whelahan, J. Pilkington, R. Hanniffy, G. Hanniffy, L. Power, P. Molloy,
S. Whelahan, D. Pilkington. Sub: - S. Browne.
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2001/02
Birr 2-10 Clarinbridge (Galway) 1-5
Again Brian Whelahan was to the fore as Birr took their third title. A Declan Pilkington goal inside 60 seconds was the perfect start, although the Westerners did recover to lead by 1 -4 to 1 -2 at the break. However, with wind advantage, Birr took control on the restart and led by 1-7 to 1-4 at the 40th minute. Johnny Pilkington's goal ten minutes later settled the issue.
Birr scorers: - S. Whelahan 0-4, D. Pilkington 1-0, J. Pilkington 1-0, S. Browne 0-2,
G. Hanniffy 0-2, R. Hanniffy 0-1, Brian Whelahan 0-1.
Birr: - B. Mullins, G. Cahill, J. Errity, J.P. O'Meara, N. Claffey, Brian Whelahan,
D. Franks, R. Hanniffy, Barry Whelahan, J. Pilkington, G. Hanniffy, L. Power, S. Browne, S. Whelahan, D. Pilkington. Sub: - P. Molloy for L. Power (51mins)..
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1997/98
Birr 1-13 Sarsfields (Galway) 0-9
Superb defensive performances by Brian Whelahan and Joe Errity were the principle ingredients of this victory. The game' only goal came in the fifth minute from Darren Hanniffy and gave Birr a lead they never surrendered. At the break the Midlanders led by four points and the first three scores on the restart increased the gap to seven. That was still the case at the final whistle.
Birr scorers: - D.Hanniffy 1-3, G.Cahill 0-3, J.Pilkington 0-2, D.Pilkington 0-2, Barry Whelahan 0-1, C.McGlone 0-1, D.Regan 0-1.
BIRR: - Brian Mullins, Simon Whelehan, Joe Errity, Gareth Doorley, Barry Whelehan, Brian Whelehan, Niall Claffey, Johnny Pilkington, Gary Hanniffy, Darren Hanniffy, Conor McGlone, Declan Pilkington, Gary Cahill, Daithi Regan, Paul Carroll. Subs: - Oisin O’Neill for Paul Carroll, Liam Power for Conor McGlone, Conor Hanniffy, Martin Errity, Brian Hennessy, Noel Hogan, Kenneth Spillane, Shane Walsh, Barry Milne.
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1994/95
Birr 0-9 Dunloy (Antrim) 0-9
Inclement weather negated all efforts at attractive hurling in this final and despite enjoying first use of the strong wind Birr trailed at the break by 0-3 to 0-7 with prospects for a first title looking decidedly bleak. Dunloy edged further in front on the restart, but six unanswered points gave the Midlanders the lead before the Glensmen grabbed a deserved equaliser.
Birr scorers: - D Pilkington 0-2, A Cahill 0-2, J Pilkington 0-1, C McGlone 0-1,
O O'Neill 0-1, P Murphy 0-1, D Regan 0-1.
Birr: - Richard Shields, Michael Hogan, Joe Errity, Brian Hennessy, Brian Whelehan, Gary Cahill, Noel Hogan, Johnny Pilkington, Daithi Regan, Oisin O’Neill, Conor McGlone, Declan Pilkington, Simon Whelehan, Paul Murphy, Adrian Cahill. Sub: Ray Landy for Simon Whelehan, Matt Feenane, Louis Vaughan, Frankie Pilkington, Gary Hanniffy, Darren Hanniffy, Conor Hanniffy, Gareth Doorley, Declan Brady, Tony Murphy, Liam Power, Johnny Carroll.
Birr 3-13 Dunloy (Antrim) 2-3 (Replay)
As is often the case the replay was in complete contrast to the drawn encounter. Two goals inside six minutes effectively decided the game with Birr cruising to an interval lead of 2-7 to nil. Dunloy finally got off the mark early in the second period, but they never looked capable of bridging the gap. Birr's first title was annexed as easily as the scoreline suggests.
Birr scorers: - A. Cahill 0-6, P. Murphy 2-0, D. Pilkington 1-2, B. Whelahan 0-4,
C. McGlone 0-1.
Birr: - Richard Shields, Michael Hogan, Joe Errity, Brian Hennessy, Brian Whelehan, Gary Cahill, Noel Hogan, Johnny Pilkington, Daithi Regan, Oisin O’Neill, Conor McGlone, Declan Pilkington, Simon Whelehan, Paul Murphy, Adrian Cahill. Subs: - Matt Feenane for Oisin O’Neill, Ray Landy for Michael Hogan, Louis Vaughan for Conor McGlone, Frankie Pilkington, Gary Hanniffy, Darren Hanniffy, Conor Hanniffy, Gareth Doorley, Declan Brady, Tony Murphy, Liam Power, Johnny Carroll.
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BIRR'S RECORD IN LEINSTER FINALS
1991: Birr 2-14, Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 0-3.
1994: Birr 0-10, Oulart-the-Battagh (Wexford) 0-10.
Replay - Birr 3-7, Oulart-the-Ballagh 2-5.
1997: Birr 0-11, Castletown (Laois) 0-5.
1999: Birr 1-16, Castletown 0-11.
2001: Birr 0-10, Castletown 1-7.
Replay - Birr 2-10, Castletown 0-5.
2002: Birr 2-5, Young Irelands 1-2.
2003: O'Loughlin Gaels 0-15 Birr 0-9
2007: Birr 1-11 to 0-13 Ballyboden St Endas (Dublin)
2008: Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) 2-13 Birr 1-11
The details of where the previous 40 Leinster titles have gone since 1970 are:
(7) Birr (Offaly): 1991, '94, '97, '99, '01, '02 and '07.
(7) Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny): 1978, '80, '83, '89, '06, '08 and '09.
(6) Rathnure (Wexford): 1971, '73, '77, '86, '87 and '98.
(4) St. Rynagh's (Offaly): 1970, '72, '82 and '93.
(4) James Stephens (Kilkenny): 1975 and '81, '04 and '05.
(3) Buffers Alley (Wexford): 1985, '88 and '92.
(2) Camross (Laois): 1976 and '96.
(2) Glenmore (Kilkenny): 1990 and '95.
(1) Fenians (Kilkenny): 1974.
(1) Crumlin (Dublin): 1979.
(1) St. Martin's (Kilkenny): 1984.
(1) Graigue-Ballycallan (Kilkenny): 2000.
(1) O'Loughlin Gaels (Kilkenny): 2003.
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Birr Senior Hurling Record:
Birr have won 22 titles in total.
The teams and the winning captains are as follows.
1912 Birr 0-2 Kolloughey 0-2
(Replay) Birr 2-3 Killoughey 0-2
1913 Birr 4-2 Edenderry 1-3
1915 Birr w/o Rahan
1938 Birr 1-6 Coolderry 2-1
1940 Birr 4-8 Edenderry 2-1
1943 Birr 3-5 Tullamore 4-2
(Replay) Birr 2-8 Tullamore 2-4
1944 Birr 4-4 Tullamore 4-0
1946 Birr 6-9 Tullamore 2-3
1948 Birr 4-6 Coolderry 1-3
1971 Birr 2-10 St. Rynaghs 2-9 Cpt Declan Hennessy
1991 Birr 1-12 St. Keiran 1-11 Cpt Brian Whelahan
1994 Birr 0-8 St. Keirans 0-7 Cpt Johnny Pilkington
1997 Birr 0-14 St. Keirans 2-4 Cpt Joe Eritty
1999 Birr 3-15 St. Rynaghs 1-11 Cpt Declan Pilkington
2000 Birr 3-21 St. Keiran 1-9 Cpt Gary Cahill
2001 Birr 0-11 St. Rynaghs 0-10 Cpt Simon Whelahan
2002 Birr 3-11 Kilcormac-Killoughey 2-7 Cpt Gary Hanniffy
2003 Birr 1-18 Ballyskenagh 1-11 Cpt Niall Claffey
2005 Birr 0-20 Coolderry 0-5 Cpt Barry Whelehan
2006 Birr 0-11 Coolderry 1-08 Cpt John Paul O’Meara
(Replay) Birr 2-09 Coolderry 1-11
2007 Birr 0-15 Kilcormac/Klloughey 0-10 Cpt Brian Whelehan
2008 Birr 1-15 Kinnitty 0-15 Cpt Rory Hanniffy
Birr have competed in 36 county finals including walk overs and replays and to date they have won 22 titles drawn 4 and lost 10. Birr’s most regular opponents in finals have been Coolderry and St Rynagh’s whom they have met on 7 occasions each. Birr have had final victories over 9 different clubs and have lost deciders to just 3 clubs.
Other finals contested:-
1928 Drumcullen 4-0 Birr 1-2
1941 Drumcullen 2-5 Birr 0-7
1942 Coolderry 5-3 Birr 2-4
1947 Coolderry 4-6 Birr 2-3
1951 Drumcullen 2-12 Birr 5-2
1974 St Rynagh’s 1-11 Birr 2-3
1975 St Rynagh’s 0-5 Birr 0-5
1974 St Rynagh’s 0-14 Birr 0-8 (Replay)
1990 St Rynagh’s 2-6 Birr 1-7
1993 St Rynagh’s 1-16 Birr 1-14
2004 Coolderry 3-10 Birr 2-11
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The Millenium Man
Brian Whelahan was the only player on the An Post.GAA Hurling Team of the Millenium still playing with his county when nominated onto the team. To see the full team click here.
BRIAN Whelahan is one of the most respected and gifted hurlers of the modern era, not to
mention of all time.
The Birr and Offaly star has collected practically every honour there is in the game and at
the age of 38 his glittering career is far from over.
Brian Whelahans' major honours are listed below:
Named as wing back on the An Post/GAA Hurling Team of the Millenium – the only member of the team still playing inter-county hurling when the team was named.
2 All-Ireland senior hurling medals - 1994 & 1998.
4 Leinster senior hurling medals 1989, 1990, 1994 & 1995.
2 All-Ireland & Leinster minor hurling medals - 1987 & 1989.
3 Leinster Under 21 hurling medals - 1989, 1991 and 1992
1 National Hurling League medal -1991.
1 Railway Cup hurling medal -1998.
12 Offaly & 7 Leinster Club senior hurling championship medals.
4 All-Ireland club senior hurling medals -1995, 1998, 2002 and 2003.
4 Allstar Awards -1992 , 1995, 1998 and 1999
Players Player of the Year -1994.
2 Texaco Hurler of the Year Awards -1994 and 1998.
GAA Writers' Player of the Year - 1998.
4 All-Ireland Final Man of the Match Awards -1994 and 1998 with Offaly , 1995 and1998 with Birr.
1 A.I B. Provincial Player of the Year Award -1997/98.
Eircell G.A.A. Allstars Player of the month Awards - February & September 1998.
Also: Numerous underage medals won with his club Birr, and school St. Brendan's N..S., Birr and St. Brendan's C.S., Birr in hurling and gaelic football. Also, countless other awards, including Offaly Hurling Sportstar Awards
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Birr Players who have won All-Stars:
Johnny Pilkington 1990
Brian Whelahan 1992; 1995; 1998; 1999
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Birr is the only Club with seven players having won 4 All-Ireland Club medals:
The players are:-
Gary Cahill
Joe Errity
Declan Pilkington
Johnny Pilkington
Liam Power
Simon Whelahan
Brian Whelahan
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Offaly Senior Hurler of the year 2008 - Gary Hannify
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