Damien Cahalane Explained

Code:Hurling
Sport:Hurling
Damien Cahalane
Irish:Damien Ó Cathaláin
Feet:6
Inches:2
Occupation:Bar owner
County:Cork
Province:Munster
Club:Castlehaven
St Finbarr's
Clcountyh:1
Clcountyf:2
Colleges:University College Cork
Colyears:2011-
Fitz:0
Counties:Cork
Icposition:Full-back
Icyears:2012-present
Icapps(Points):31 (0-02)
Icprovince:3
Icallireland:0
Nhl:0
Allstars:0
Icupdate:21:52, 3 July 2021
Birth Date:10 August 1992
Birth Place:Wilton, Cork, Ireland

Damien Cahalane (born 10 August 1992) is an Irish hurler and Gaelic footballer who plays as a centre-back for club sides St Finbarr's and Castlehaven and as a full-back at senior level with the Cork county hurling team.

Early life

Cahalane was born in Wilton, Cork. His father, Niall Cahalane, and his uncle, John Cleary, won All-Ireland medals as members of the Cork senior football team in 1989 and 1990.[1] His aunt, Nollaig Cleary, won nine All-Ireland medals with Cork.[2] His brother, Conor Cahalane, has also played for Cork.

Playing career

College

Cahalane first came to prominence as a dual player with Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh in Bishopstown. Having played both codes at every grade, he won a Cork Colleges Under-16½ B medal in 2009.

University

As a student at University College Cork, Cahalane also became involved in Gaelic games. On 8 March 2012, he won an All-Ireland Freshers Championship medal following a 0–24 to 3–11 defeat of the University of Limerick.[3]

Club

In spite of living in Cork city, Cahalane joined the Castlehaven football club in West Cork at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels, winning two divisional under-21 championship medals and a county under-21 championship medal in 2010. He simultaneously played hurling with the St Finbarr's club.[4] [5] On 8 October 2012, Cahalane was at centre-back when Castlehaven defeated Duhallow by 1-7 to 0-9 to win the county senior championship.[6] Castlehaven retained the title on 13 October 2013 after a two-point defeat of Nemo Rangers, with Cahalane winning a second championship medal.[7]

Inter-county

Minor and under-21

Cahalane first played for Cork as a member of the minor football team in 2009. A dual player in his second season at minor, he won a Munster medal with the footballers after a one-point defeat of Kerry in the final.[8] On 19 September 2010, Cahalane was at midfield when Cork were defeated by Tyrone in the All-Ireland final.[9]

Cahalane continued his dual status with the Cork under-21 teams, however, he enjoyed little success with the hurling team. During his three years with the Cork under-21 footballers, the team remained undefeated in the provincial championship, with Cahalane winning successive Munster medals in 2011, 2012 and 2013.[10] [11] [12] Cahalane was captain of the team for the third title.[13] On 4 May 2013, Cahalane was at full-back when Cork suffered a 1-14 to 1-11 defeat by Galway in the All-Ireland final.[14]

Senior

Cahalane made his senior debut for Cork in a Waterford Crystal Cup defeat of Kerry on 4 February 2012.[15] He made his first start in a National League game in a four-point defeat of Galway on 18 March 2012, before making his first championship start at full-back later that season in an All-Ireland Qualifier against Wexford.[16] [17] The following season, Cahalane switched codes to Gaelic football, making his senior debut in a McGrath Cup game on 6 January 2013.[18] [19] He made his first start in a National League game in a 1-18 to 2-09 defeat by Dublin on 2 February 2013, before making his first championship start later that season in a Munster Championship quarter-final against Limerick.[20] [21] Cahalane underwent a double hip operation at the end of the season.[22]

At the start of 2014, Cahalane committed to playing for both the Cork senior hurling and football teams for the upcoming season.[23] [24] Following Cork's defeat by Kerry in the Munster final, Cahalane suffered a large gash to his heel when he stepped on a medicinal vial in the shower in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.[25] The injury threatened his participation in the provincial hurling final, however, on 13 July 2014, Cahalane won his first Munster medal after a six-point defeat of Limerick.[26]

At the end of the 2014 season Cahalane decided to end his association with the Cork football team and to concentrate on hurling.[27] [28] On 9 July 2017, he won his second Munster medal following a 1-25 to 1-20 defeat of Clare in the final.[29]

On 1 July 2018, Cahalane won a third Munster medal following a 2-24 to 3-19 defeat of Clare in the final.[30]

Career statistics

TeamYearNational LeagueMunsterAll-IrelandTotal
DivisionAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScoreAppsScore
Cork2012Division 1A10-0000-0010-0020-00
2013
2014Division 1B20-0040-0110-0070-01
2015Division 1A50-0010-0030-0190-01
201650-0110-0020-0080-01
201740-0030-0010-0080-00
201810-0050-0010-0070-00
201950-0020-0020-0090-00
202020-0410-0020-0050-04
202140-0110-0000-0050-01
Career total290-06180-01130-01600-08

Honours

University College Cork
Castlehaven

2012, 2013, 2023

2023

2010

St. Finbarr's

2022

Cork

2014, 2017, 2018

2011, 2012, 2013 (c)

2010

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Driven on by love and pride. 20 October 2013. Irish Independent. 7 July 2018. Éamonn. Sweeney.
  2. Web site: Nollaig hangs up her boots. 6 June 2015. The Southern Star. 7 July 2018. Kieran. McCarthy. 7 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180707201457/https://www.southernstar.ie/Sport/Nollaig-hangs-up-her-boots-03062015.htm. dead.
  3. Web site: Late rally sees UCC claim three in-a-row. 9 March 2012. Irish Examiner. 7 July 2018. Fintan. O'Toole.
  4. Web site: The dual in the Haven crown. 1 December 2012. Irish Examiner. 7 July 2018. Michael. Moynihan.
  5. Web site: Castlehaven ace Cahalane would love dual role with Rebels. 1 December 2012. The Southern Star. 7 July 2018. Kieran. McCarthy.
  6. Web site: Nolan's late goal sparks Castlehaven celebrations. 9 October 2012. Irish Times. 7 July 2018.
  7. Web site: Hurley's haul grabs honours for Haven. 14 October 2013. Irish Independent. 7 July 2018.
  8. Web site: Hurley strikes late to snatch title for Cork. 5 July 2010. Irish Times. 7 July 2018.
  9. Web site: Tyrone hold out in face of fierce Cork finale. 20 September 2010. Irish Times. 7 July 2018. Gavin. Cummiskey.
  10. Web site: Cork U-21s outscore Kerry rivals by 22 points. 6 April 2011. Irish Examiner. 7 July 2018.
  11. Web site: Cork secure Championship title. 11 April 2012. Irish Examiner. 7 July 2018.
  12. Web site: Ruthless Rebels cut loose to seal treble. 11 April 2013. Irish Independent. 7 July 2018. Jackie. Cahill.
  13. Web site: Cork captain Cahalane eyes All Ireland U21 football prize. 30 April 2013. The 42. 7 July 2018.
  14. Web site: Rebel woe as U21 crown goes west. 6 May 2013. Irish Examiner. 7 July 2018. John. Fogarty.
  15. Web site: Cork test reserve strength. 6 February 2012. Irish Examiner. 7 July 2018. Fintan. O'Toole.
  16. Web site: Cahalane to make first league start for Rebels. 16 March 2012. Irish Examiner. 7 July 2018. Fintan. O'Toole.
  17. Web site: Cork make four changes to face Wexford as St Finbarr's Damien Cahalane is handed his first Championship start. 11 July 2012. RTÉ Sport. 7 July 2018.
  18. Web site: Damien Cahalane included in Cork football side for 2013 opener. 4 January 2013. The 42. 7 July 2018.
  19. Web site: Cahalane I am 100 per cent Cork football this season. 10 January 2013. The Southern Star. 7 July 2018. Kieran. McCarthy.
  20. Web site: Cahalane to make Cork debut. 1 February 2013. Hogan Stand. 7 July 2018.
  21. Web site: New look Cork coast past Limerick. 25 May 2013. Irish Examiner. 7 July 2018.
  22. Web site: Worrying rise in GAA hip surgery claims. 17 January 2014. Irish Examiner. 7 July 2018. John. Fogarty.
  23. Web site: Cahalane boost for Cork hurlers. 17 January 2014. Irish Independent. 7 July 2018. Cliona. Foley.
  24. Web site: Dual players Eoin Cadogan, Aidan Walsh and Damien Cahalane return for Cork. 3 July 2014. Irish Times. 7 July 2018. Gavin. Cummiskey.
  25. Web site: Cahalane doubtful for Cork after freak dressing room cut. 9 July 2014. Irish Examiner. 7 July 2018. John. Fogarty.
  26. Web site: Supersub Paudie O'Sullivan gives Cork real belief. 14 July 2014. Irish Independent. 7 July 2018. Martin. Breheny.
  27. Web site: Cork dual star Cahalane opts for hurling next year. 9 November 2014. Irish Independent. 7 July 2018.
  28. Web site: Cahalane ready to reap rewards as hurling gets all his attention. 1 February 2015. The Southern Star. 7 July 2018. Noel. Horgan.
  29. Web site: Cork victorious over Clare in Munster hurling final. 9 July 2017. Irish Examiner. 5 July 2018.
  30. Web site: Cork quietly collect another Munster title as Clare crumble. 1 July 2018. Irish Times. 5 July 2018. Malachy. Clerkin.