Niall Cahalane

Niall Cahalane (born 25 September 1963 in Castlehaven, County Cork) is a former Irish sportsperson. He played senior football with Cork in the 1980s and 1990s.^[1]

Biography

Niall Cahalane was born in Castlehaven, County Cork in 1963. The eldest of a family of ten he has four brothers and five sisters. His brothers are also well known footballers.He was educated locally and since 1990 he has worked as an auctioneer. He currently owns his own firm, based in Cork.^[2]

Playing career

Club

Cahalane played his club football with his local Castlehaven team. When Cahalane was born the club played in the junior B section of the county championship, however, by the time his career had taken off Castlehaven had joined senior ranks. Cahalane won three Cork SFC titles with the club in 1989, 1994 and 2003. Two of these wins were subsequently converted into Munster club titles. He continued to play with the club until 2004 when he retired at the age of 41.

Cahalane played senior hurling with Blackrock from 1986 until 1993.

Minor and Under-21

By the start of the 1980s Cahalane had joined the Cork minor football team. He won his first All-Ireland medal in 1981 when Cork defeated Derry in the minor final. By 1982 he had moved on to the under-21 team where he won a Munster title. Two years later in 1984 Cahalane captained Cork to All-Ireland victory over Mayo at under-21 level. Playing at full-back he held Liam McHale scoreless in the All-Ireland final. He is married to Pauline/Ailis

Senior

By the mid-1980s Cahalane was training with the Cork senior football team. He made his senior debut in a National Football League game against Kerry in 1983. It took another few years before he would establish himself on the team. In 1987 Cahalane won his first Munster title at senior level. Cork later played Meath in the All-Ireland final, however, Cahalane’s side were beaten on the day. In 1988 he captured his second Munster medal, however, Cork were once again beaten by Meath in a controversial All-Ireland final replay. In spite of ending up on the losing side on both occasions Cahalane was honoured with back-to-back All-Star awards.

1989 began well for Cahalane and for Cork. He won his first and only National Football League medal before later adding a third Munster medal to his collection. Cork reached the All-Ireland final once again, however, this time they were victorious against Mayo with Cahalane winning his first senior All-Ireland medal. In 1990 Cork he captured a fourth consecutive Munster medal and a second consecutive All-Ireland medal following a win over Meath. Three years later in 1993 he won his fifth Munster medal. In the All-Ireland final Cork played Derry, however victory went to the men from Ulster.

In 1994 and 1995 Cahalane won his sixth and seventh provincial medals, however, Cork were defeated on both occasions in the All-Ireland semi-final. Cahalane continued to play senior football with Cork until 1997 when he decided to retire from inter-county activity.

Controversy

The Castlehaven star was suspended for 12 months^[1] after an altercation with referee Niall Barrett from Carrigtwohill following the 1997 Cork county senior football championship final replay. Cahalane was reported for striking, and under general rule in vogue at the time, the Cork County Board's hands were tied when handing down a 12-month suspension term.^[3]

Post-playing career

Prior to retirement he took on the role of player/manager with his club Castlehaven in 1999. It proved unsuccessful as they were well beaten by Ballincollig in the championship. A point of note from the game is that he dropped Intercounty manager at the time and former Cork and Kildare star, Larry Tompkins. In retirement from playing football Cahalane has maintained a keen interest in the game. He has coached several of the underage teams in Castlehaven now that his own children are involved as well as serving as a selector with the senior football team at University College Cork.

References