Brendan Cummins (Tipperary hurler)

Infobox GAA player
code= Hurling
sport = Hurling


name = Brendan Cummins
irish = Breandán Ó Cuimin
fullname = Brendan Cummins
placeofbirth = Ardfinnan
countryofbirth = County Tipperary
bday=11
bmonth=5
byear= 1975
height = 6’2”
nickname =
county = Tipperary
province = Munster
club = Ballybacon-Grange
clposition = Goalkeeper
clubs =
clyears =
clapps(points) =
clcounty =
clprovince=
clallireland =
counties = Tipperary
icposition = Goalkeeper
icyears = 1995-
icapps(points) = 50 (0-0)
icprovince = 2
icallireland = 1
nhl = 3
allstars = 3
clupdate =
icupdate = Brendan Cummins (born 11 May, 1975 in Ardfinnan, County Tipperary) is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Ballybacon-Grange and with the Tipperary senior inter-county team. He is the current goalkeeper on both teams and is widely regarded as one of the greatest of his generation. [cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Tipperary/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=52091|title=Hurling Legends team surprises|publisher=Hoganstand.com|date=2005-10-01|accessdate=2008-06-14]

Early & private life

Brendan Cummins was born in Ardfinnan, County Tipperary in 1975. He was born into a family that had a strong association with Gaelic games as his father, John Cummins, played football with Tipperary and with Munster. He coached the Waterford senior football team in 1999. Cummins was educated locally and currently works as a bank official.

Playing career

Club

Cummins plays his club hurling with Ballybacon-Grange. He has had a lot of success at underage level, however, he has yet to win a senior hurling title with the club. Cummins also plays club Gaelic football with the sister club in Ardfinnan. He won a senior football county championship with the team in 2005. [cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Tipperary/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=43866|title=Brendan Cummins|publisher=Hoganstand.com|date=1995-07-28|accessdate=2008-06-14]

Inter-county

Cummins first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Tipperary minor hurling team in the early 1990s. He won a Munster title in this grade in 1993, however, Tipp were later defeated by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Two years later in 1995 Cummins was a key member of the Tipperary under-21 hurling team. That year he captured a Munster title in that grade before later lining out in the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny provided the opposition on that occasion, however, Tipp secured the victory giving Cummins a coveted All-Ireland under-21 medal.

That same year Cummins made his senior championship debut for Tipperary in a Munster quarter-final against Waterford, however, it would be another few years before he tasted hurling success at senior level. Two years later in 1997 Cummins lined out in his first Munster final. Clare provided the opposition on that occasion and proved too strong for Tipp on the day. In the first year of the so-called 'back-door' system Tipp were allowed a second chance to compete for the All-Ireland title. Defeats of Down and Wexford allowed Cummins's side to advance to the All-Ireland final. The final game of the championship saw a repeat of the Munster final as Clare and Tipperary lined out against each other. It was the first time that two teams from the same province had contested a championship decider. In a close and exciting game Tipp nearly reversed their provincial defeat, however, Clare hung on to win the game by the narrowest of margins on a score line of 0-20 to 2-13.

Two years later in 1999 Cummins claimed his first silverware at senior level as Tipp won the National Hurling League. This victory, however, was not converted into success in the championship. In 2000 Cummins was between the posts as Tipp played Cork in the Munster final, however, vitory went to 'the Rebels' on that ocacsion. Tipp were later defeated by Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-final. In spite of these defeats Cummins was singled out as the best goalkeeper of the year and received his first All-Star award.

2001 proved to be one of the most successful years for Cummins as a hurler. He played a key role between the posts when Tipp won the National Hurling League title for the second time in three years. Later that summer Tipp qualified for the Munster final for the second year in-a-row. Clare provided the opposition on that occasion; however, Tipp emerged as the victors giving Cummins a coveted Munster senior medal. The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final saw Tipp face stiff opposition from Wexford. A 1-16 to 3-10 draw forced Cummins's side to re-examine their game plan. The replay, however, turned out to be a resounding victory for Tipp. The All-Ireland final brought Tipp and Galway together in the championship decider for the first time since 1988. In a close and exciting game Tipp emerged victorious, giving Cummins an All-Ireland medal at senior level. Tipperary had gone through both the league and championship without being defeated. Following the game Cummins retaine dhis status as the best goalkeeper in the country by winning a second consecutive All-Star award.

In 2002 Tipperary reached their third consecutive Munster final, however, on this occasion they were both provincial and All-Ireland champions. Waterford were the opponents on that day and, in spite of history being against the Deise, they bridged a 39-year gap and clinched their first Munster title since 1963. Tipp, however, still had the chance to defend their All-Ireland title. They defeated Antrim in the All-Ireland quarter-final, however, Cummins's side were defeated by eventual champions Kilkenny in the penultimate stage of the championship.

Tipperary's hurling fortunes went into decline after this. The team exited the provincial championship at an early stage in 2003, however, they still reached the All-Ireland semi-final where they were trounced by Kilkenny. Cummins, however, was later presented with a third All-Star award.

In 2004 Tipp crashed out of the Munster championshop at an early stage once again and were later defeated by Cork in the qualifiers.

In 2005 Tipp were back and reached the Munster final for the first time since 2002. Cork, the All-Ireland champions, provided the opposition on that occasion; however, it was the Leesiders that emerged victorious. Tipp were later eliminated from the championship by old rivals and subsequent All-Ireland finalists Galway.

In 2006 Babs Keating returned as manager of the team and Tipp qualified for the Munster final once again. Cork travelled to Semple Stadium as All-Ireland champions and, once again, they retained their title. Tipp were later knocked out of the championship in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

In 2007 Cummins endured a frustrating season. A draw in Tipp’s opening game with Limerick resulted in him being dropped from the starting fifteen in favour of Gerry Kennedy along with All-Star forward Eoin Kelly. [cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Tipperary/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=78962|title=Keating defends Cummins axing |publisher=Hoganstand.com|date=2007-06-18|accessdate=2008-06-14] Tipp later lost to Wexford in the All-Ireland quarter-final and Babs Keating was replaced by Liam Sheedy as manager for 2008. Kelly and Cummins were welcomed back onto the team under the new management and selectors. Tipp began well by winning the Waterford Crystal League. The men from the Premier County later remained undefeated in the National League before meeting Galway in the final. In an exciting game Tipp emerged victorious and Cummins collected a third National League medal. In the subsequent Munster semi-final against Cork Cummins made his return to championship hurling as Tipp secured a 1-19 to 1-13 victory. It was Tipp’s first championship victory over Cork in Cork since 1923. The victory also allowed Tipp to advance to the Munster final wher ethey played Clare. Cummins showed the full rnage of his goakeeping skills on that occasion as he stopped several goal and point chances. Tipp won the game by 2-21 to 0-17 giving Cummins his second Munster medal.

Cummins is alos a resular participant in the All-Ireland Poc Fada final in the Cooley Mountains. He has won the competition outright in 2004, 2005 and 2007. [cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Tipperary/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=81753|title=Cummins retains Poc Fada title|publisher=Hoganstand.com|date=2007-08-10|accessdate=2008-06-14] He is also an accomplished Gaelic footballer and played for a number of years as a forward with the Tipperary senior football team.

Provincial

Cummins has also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial Railway Cup competition. He first played for his province in 1996 as Munster defeated Leinster in the semi-final. Cummins was replaced by Davy FitzGerald for the final. Cummins was a regular between the posts for Munster between 1999 and 2004, resulting in victories in 2000 and 2001.

Career honours

Player

Winner
* 1999 National Hurling League
* 2000 Railway Cup
* 2001 National Hurling League
* 2001 Munster Senior Hurling Championship
* 2001 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
* 2001 Railway Cup
* 2008 Waterford Crystal Cup
* 2008 National Hurling League

Runner-up
* 1996 National Hurling League
* 1996 Munster Senior Hurling Championship
* 1997 Munster Senior Hurling Championship
* 1997 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
* 1999 Railway Cup
* 2000 National Hurling League
* 2000 Munster Senior Hurling Championship
* 2002 Munster Senior Hurling Championship
* 2002 Railway Cup
* 2003 National Hurling League
* 2003 Railway Cup
* 2004 Railway Cup
* 2005 Munster Senior Hurling Championship
* 2006 Munster Senior Hurling Championship

References

External links

* [http://www.tipperary.gaa.ie/seniorhurlingplayerprofiles.html Tipperary Player Profiles]

Teams