Noel Tierney Explained

Noel Tierney
Irish:Nollaig Ó Tiarnaigh
Occupation:Dairy farmer
Birth Date:2 February 1942
Birth Place:Milltown, County Galway, Ireland
Death Place:Galway, Ireland
Height:1.810NaN0
Sport:Gaelic football
Code:Football
County:Galway
Province:Connacht
Club:Garrymore
Milltown
Clyears:
1962–1976
Clposition:Full Back
Clapps(Points):
29 (0–04)
Clcounty:1
Counties:Galway
Icyears:1963–1969
Icposition:Full-back
Icprovince:5
Icallireland:3
Nfl:1
Allstars:2 (Cú Chulainn Award)

Noel Tierney (2 February 1942 – 10 November 2024) was an Irish Gaelic footballer. At club level he played with Garrymore and Milltown, while he was also a member of the Galway senior football team.[1]

Career

Tierney began playing Gaelic football with the Garrymore club in south Mayo, however, he subsequently transferred to the Milltown club. Success was immediate, with Tierney winning a divisional minor title in 1960 before winning a Galway JFC medal in 1961.[2]

On the inter-county scene, Tierney first play for Galway during a two-year stint with the minor team. He won back-to-back Connacht SFC medals before ending his minor with a 4-09 to 1-05 defeat of Cork in the 1960 All-Ireland minor final. Progression to the senior team soon followed and he won the first of four successive Connacht SFC medals in 1963. Tierney also made four successive All-Ireland final appearances at this time, with victories in 1964, 1965 and 1966. He also claimed a National League medal in 1965 before ending his inter-county career with a fifth Connacht SFC medal in 1968.[3]

Tierney's performances at inter-county level earned his selection to the Connacht team. He won two Railway Cup medals, including one as team captain in 1969.[4] Tierney brought his inter-county career to an end at the age of 27, however, he continued to line out at club level. He won a Galway SFC medal in 1971.[5]

Recognition

Tierney's performances for Galway earned him consecutive Cú Chulainn Awards in 1963 and 1964. He was also named Footballer of the Year in 1964. Tierney was inducted into the Galway Football Hall of Fame in 1993. He received the ultimate accolade in 1999 when he was selected in the full-back position on the Galway Football Team of the Millennium.[6]

Death

Tierney died after a period of ill health on 10 November 2024, at the age of 82.[7] [8]

Honours

Milltown

1971

Galway

1964, 1965, 1966

1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968

1964–65

1960

1959, 1960

Connacht

1967, 1969 (c)

Individual

1964

1963, 1964

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Milltown and Galway turn out in force to honour Noel Tierney. Irish Times. 11 November 2024. 6 November 2024.
  2. Web site: One of Galway's greatest ever footballers, Milltown native Noel Tierney has passed away. Midwest Radio. 11 November 2024. 11 November 2024.
  3. Web site: ‘More than anything, it was the comradeship amongst ourselves’. The Tuam Herald. 11 November 2024. 23 October 2024.
  4. Web site: Those who treasured Galway legend Noel Tierney glad they got chance to pay tribute. Irish Examiner. 11 November 2024. 11 November 2024.
  5. Web site: Club history. Milltown GAA website. 11 November 2024.
  6. Web site: The top 50 full-backs of the last 50 years. Irish Independent. 11 November 2024. 16 January 2016.
  7. News: Galway football legend Noel Tierney dies at 82 . 11 November 2024 . RTE . 11 November 2024.
  8. Web site: Galway three-in-a-row great Noel Tierney dies, aged 82. Irish Examiner. 11 November 2024. 11 November 2024.