Eamon O'Shea

O'Shea played for the Kilruane MacDonagh's club.

He was just out of the minor grade in 1977 when he captured his first championship medal at senior level following a 1–5 to 0–5 defeat of Borris-Ileigh in a replay. It was the first of three county championship winners' medal in succession for O'Shea. Four-in-a-row proved beyond the club as Roscrea won by a single point in the 1980 championship decider.

After a brief absence Kilruane MacDonagh's returned to the summit of Tipperary hurling again in 1986. A 2–11 to 0–10 defeat of Roscrea gave O'Shea his fourth championship medal. He subsequently added a Munster winners' medal to his collection following a draw and a replay victory over Blackrock. An All-Ireland final appearance for the club soon followed, with Buffers Alley providing the opposition. Kilruane fought back and overwhelmed the Wexford side in the final quarter to claim a 1–15 to 2–10 victory and give O'Shea an All-Ireland club winners' medal.{{cite web|url=http://www.kilruanemacdonaghs.com/allireland.php|title=All-Ireland Glory|publisher=Kilruane MacDonagh's GAA website|access-date=25 September 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328225831/http://www.kilruanemacdonaghs.com/allireland.php|archive-date=28 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}

O'Shea's inter-county career began in 1976 when he joined the Tipperary minor hurling panel. He won a Munster medal in this grade in his debut year following a 5–10 to 5–6 defeat of Limerick.{{cite web|url=http://munster.gaa.ie/history/mh_teams/|title=Munster Minor Hurling Teams|publisher=Munster GAA website|access-date=25 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630130821/http://munster.gaa.ie/history/mh_teams/|archive-date=30 June 2011|url-status=dead}} This provincial success was later converted into an All-Ireland success following a 2–20 to 1–7 trouncing of Kilkenny.

O'Shea later moved onto the Tipperary under-21 team. He won a Munster medal in this grade in 1978, however, All-Ireland success eluded Tipp that year.{{cite web|url=http://munster.gaa.ie/history/u21h_teams/|title=Munster Under-21 Hurling Teams|publisher=Munster GAA website|access-date=25 September 2012}}

In 1979 O'Shea was in his final year with the under-21 team. He added a second Munster medal to his collection that year before later claiming an All-Ireland medal following a 2–12 to 1–9 defeat of Galway.

By this stage O'Shea had already joined the Tipperary senior hurling team. He won a National Hurling League medal during the 1978–79 season following a 3–15 to 0–8 trouncing of Galway in the decider.

The rest of O'Shea's inter-county career coincided with a barren spell for Tipperary's senior team. He joined the Dublin team for two unsuccessful seasons in 1984 and 1985, however, he finished his career with Tipperary following the 1986 championship.

When Liam Sheedy was appointed manager of the Tipperary senior team in 2007 O'Shea joined his backroom team as coach. During his three-year tenure Tipperary returned to the big time. In his first season, he coached the team to National League and Munster titles.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0420/tipperary_galway.html |title=Galway 3–16 Tipperary 3–18 |publisher=RTÉ Sport |date=20 April 2008 |access-date=31 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927220343/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0420/tipperary_galway.html |archive-date=27 September 2008 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2008/0608/cork_tipperary.html |title=Cork 1–13 Tipperary 1–19 |publisher=RTÉ Sport |date=8 June 2008 |access-date=31 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328210920/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2008/0608/cork_tipperary.html |archive-date=28 March 2010 }}

Under Sheedy and O'Shea Tipperary retained their Munster crown in 2009 before later lining out in the All-Ireland decider. On that occasion Tipperary put up a good fight, however, Kilkenny retained their title for a record-breaking fourth year in succession.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/kilkenny-cementtheir-greatness-1879828.html|title=Kilkenny cement their greatness|date=7 September 2009|work=Irish Independent|access-date=10 September 2009|first=Martin|last=Breheny}}

In 2010 Tipperary surrendered their Munster crown, however, they still reached the All-Ireland final via the back-door. Another exciting game with Kilkenny developed, however, on this occasion Tipp denied 'the Cats' their "drive-for-five" with a 4–17 to 1–18 victory.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/rampant-tipp-deny-cats-immortality-2326052.html|title=Rampant Tipp deny Cats immortality|date=6 September 2010|work=Irish Independent|publisher=Independent News & Media|first=Martin|last=Breheny|access-date=8 September 2010}} Following this win against Kilkenny Sheedy and his management team, including O'Shea, stepped down from their positions.

On 25 September 2012 O'Shea succeeded Declan Ryan as manager of the Tipperary senior team.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/poisoned-chalice-or-golden-goblet-oshea-rise-to-tipp-throne-inevitable-3242062.html

|title=Poisoned chalice or golden goblet? O'Shea rise to Tipp throne inevitable|date=27 September 2012|work=Irish Independent|access-date=27 September 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/oshea-takes-on-job-of-leading-tipperary-back-to-summit-208873.html

|title=O'Shea takes on job of leading Tipperary back to summit|date=27 September 2012|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=27 September 2012 }}

His first game in charge was on 6 January 2013 in a 3–23 to 2–15 against UCC in a challenge match.

{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/tipperary-to-test-mettle-against-offaly-and-dublin-3346414.html|title= Tipperary to test mettle against Offaly and Dublin|date= 8 January 2013|work=Irish Independent|access-date=14 January 2013 }}

In February he guided Tipperary to the final of the 2013 Waterford Crystal Cup against Clare, with Clare winning by 1–21 to 1–13.{{cite web|url= https://sites.google.com/a/gaa.ie/tipperary-gaa/latestnews/waterfordcrystalcupfinal%E2%80%93clarevtipperary-1|title= Clare 1–21 Tipperary 1–13|date=9 February 2013|work= GAA.ie|access-date=12 February 2013 }}

{{cite news|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=184969|title=Waterford Crystal final on Saturday|work=Hogan Stand|date=4 February 2013|access-date=4 February 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thescore.ie/tipperary-v-clare-waterford-crystal-cup-789058-Feb2013/ |title=Clare 1–21 Tipperary 1–13 |date=9 February 2013 |work=thescore.ie |access-date=12 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109100235/http://www.thescore.ie/tipperary-v-clare-waterford-crystal-cup-789058-Feb2013/ |archive-date= 9 January 2014 }}

In April 2013, Tipperary reached the final of the 2013 National Hurling League where they were defeated 2–17 to 0–20 by Kilkenny in Nowlan Park on 5 May.{{cite web|url= http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/omahony-ready-for-the-ultimate-challenge-229930.html|title= O'Mahony ready for the ultimate challenge|date=30 April 2012|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=1 May 2013 }}

His first Championship game came against Limerick on 9 June 2013, where Tipperary were defeated 1–18 to 1–15 at the Gaelic Grounds.{{cite web|url= http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/hurling/2013/0609/455559-limerick-tipperary/|title=Limerick 1–18 Tipperary 1–15|date=9 June 2013|work=RTÉ Sport|access-date=10 June 2013 }}

In phase 2 of the All-Ireland qualifiers on 6 July 2013, Tipperary were eliminated from the championship after a 1–14 to 0–20 defeat to Kilkenny at Nowlan Park.{{cite web|url = http://munster.gaa.ie/2013/07/06/all-ireland-senior-hurling-championship-qualifiers-tipperary-v-kilkenny/|title= Kilkenny 0–20 Tipperary 1–14|work=Munster GAA|access-date=1 October 2013}}

In October 2013, O'Shea was given another two years as Tipperary senior hurling manager after a county board meeting.{{cite web|url = http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/oshea-gets-green-light-to-stay-in-premier-hot-seat-for-two-more-years-29712773.html|title= O'Shea gets green light to stay in Premier hot seat for two more years|date=31 October 2013|work= Irish Independent|access-date=31 October 2013}}{{cite web|url = http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/tipp-hurling-boss-set-for-two-more-years-at-the-reigns-611772.html|title= Tipp hurling boss set for two more years at the reigns|date=31 October 2013|work= Irish Examiner|access-date=31 October 2013}} In February 2014, Tipperary won the 2014 Waterford Crystal Cup after a 4–22 to 3–11 win against Clare.{{cite web|url = http://munster.gaa.ie/2014/02/07/waterford-crystal-cup-senior-hurling-final/

|title=Match Reports |date=8 February 2014|work=Munster GAA|access-date=11 February 2014}}

In August 2014, Tipperary qualified for the 2014 All-Ireland Final after a ten-point win against Cork in Croke Park.{{cite web|url = http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/publish-a-major-report-into-dementia-and-prepare-for-allireland-final-all-in-a-weeks-work-for-eamon-oshea-30559982.html|title= Publish a major report into dementia and prepare for All-Ireland final – All in a week's work for Eamon O'Shea |date=3 September 2014|work=Irish Independent|access-date=4 September 2014}}

The final against Kilkenny finished in a draw with Kilkenny winning the replay on 27 September on a 2–17 to 2–14 scoreline.{{cite web|url = http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/cats-prove-to-have-unmatched-appetite-for-major-honours-30621147.html|title= Cats prove to have unmatched appetite for major honours |date=28 September 2014|work=Irish Independent|access-date=24 October 2014}}

In October 2014, O'Shea confirmed that he would stay on for a third and final year as Tipperary manager.{{cite web|url = http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/oshea-to-continue-in-premier-county-hot-seat-293785.html|title= O'Shea to continue in Premier County hot-seat|date= 15 August 2014 |work=Irish Examiner|access-date=24 October 2014}}

On 21 June 2015, O'Shea recorded his first Munster Senior Hurling Championship win as manager as Tipperary defeated Limerick in the Munster semi-final on a 4-23 to 1-16 scoreline.{{cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/2106150946-munster-shc-limerick-v-tipperary-report/ |title=Munster Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final: Limerick 1-16 Tipperary 4-23 |date=21 June 2015 |work=GAA.ie |access-date=22 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622195757/http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/2106150946-munster-shc-limerick-v-tipperary-report/ |archive-date=22 June 2015 }}

O'Shea won his first Munster Senior title with Tipperary on 12 July 2015, as they defeated Waterford in the Munster Final.{{cite web|url= http://www.hoganstand.com/hurling/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=240817|title=Munster SHC final: Tipp turn the screw in second-half|date=12 July 2015|work=Hogan Stand|access-date=14 July 2015}}

On 16 August 2015, Tipperary lost to Galway by a point in the All-Ireland Semi-Final. The match was O'Shea's last game as Tipperary manager as he had planned to leave the position at the end of the 2015 Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/eamon-oshea-tipperary-will-certainly-get-what-they-deserve-an-all-ireland-31458681.html|title=Eamon O'Shea: Tipperary will certainly get what they deserve - an All Ireland|date=18 August 2015|work=Irish Independent|access-date=19 August 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/tipp-pay-tribute-to-outgoing-eamon-osheas-energy-passion-dedication-honesty-and-integrity-31459511.html|title=Tipp pay tribute to outgoing Eamon O'Shea's 'energy, passion, dedication, honesty and integrity'|date=18 August 2015|work=Irish Independent|access-date=19 August 2015}}

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Category:1958 births

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