Bill O'Callaghan

Infobox GAA player
code= Hurling
sport = Hurling


name = William O’Callaghan
irish = Liam Ó Cealleacháin
fullname = William Henry O’Callaghan
nickname = Bill
placeofbirth = Cork
countryofbirth = Ireland
dob =
dob =
height =
nickname =
county = Cork
province = Munster
club = Redmond's
clposition = Forward
clubs =
clyears =
clapps(points) =
clcounty =
clprovince=
clallireland =
counties = Cork
icposition = Forward
icyears = 1892
icapps(points) =
icprovince = 1
icallireland = 1
nhl =
clupdate =
icupdate =

William Henry ‘Bill’ O’Callaghan (c.1869-1946) was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Redmond's and with the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1890s. O’Callaghan captained Cork to All-Ireland victory in 1892.

Biography

William O’Callaghan was born in Cork circa 1869. He was educated locally; however, like many of his contemporaries higher education was not available to him.

O'Callaghan married Catherine Murphy in the 1890s and the couple had three daughters. They later emigrated to England where he worked in Dorset as a post office engineer.

Bill O’Callaghan died on January 16, 1946 in Dorset.

Playing career

Club

O’Callaghan played his club hurling with the famous, but now defunct, Redmond's club in Cork city. He won a senior county title with the club in 1892.

Inter-county

The Redmond’s club victory in the county championship allowed them to represent Cork in the inter-county series. For the first time ever, however, the Cork inter-county team contained a mix of players, including representatives from Blackrock and Aghabullogue. O’Callaghan, as a Redmond’s player, was appointed captain. That year Cork reached the Munster final where Kerry, the reigning provincial and All-Ireland champions, provided the opposition. In a high-scoring game Cork emerged victorious by 5-3 to 2-5. It was O’Callaghan’s first, and only, Munster title. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Dublin for the very first time in the championship. The game ended in farce as Cork scored a goal; however, referee Dan Fraher changed his mind after initially awarding the goal. He put forward the view that the Central Council of the GAA should decide the matter. At this stage Cork were leading by 2-4 to 1-1, however, the Dublin team left the pitch as some of the players had to return to work. Because ‘the Dubs’ withdrew from the pitch the title was awarded to Cork and O’Callaghan collected a coveted All-Ireland title. It was the county’s second title and the beginning of a famous three-in-a-row for Cork.

Teams