Joey Holden

{{infobox Gaelic games player

|image =

|name = Joey Holden

|irish = Seosamh Ó hOldáin

|nickname =

|occupation = Secondary school teacher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|7|2|df=yes}}

|birth_place = Ballyhale, County Kilkenny, Ireland

|feet = 6

|inches = 2

|sport = Hurling

|code = Hurling

|county = Kilkenny

|province = Leinster

|club = Ballyhale Shamrocks

|clyears = 2008-present

|clposition = Full back

|clapps(points) =

|clcounty = 8

|clprovince = 5

|clallireland = 4

|colleges = University of Limerick

|fitz = 0

|counties = Kilkenny

|icyears = 2014-2021

|icposition = Left corner-back

|icapps(points) = 28 (0-03)

|icprovince = 5

|icallireland = 2

|nhl = 3

|allstars = 1

|clupdate =

|icupdate = 16:24, 17 November 2021

}}

Joseph Holden (born 2 July 1990) is an Irish hurler who plays as a full-back for Kilkenny Senior Championship club Ballyhale Shamrocks. He is a former captain of the Kilkenny senior hurling team.

Holden, having failed to make the minor and under-21 teams, first appeared on the inter-county scene with the Kilkenny senior team, going on to make a combined total of 54 league and championship appearances across eight seasons. He won ten major trophies with Kilkenny; two All-Ireland titles, six Leinster Championships and three National Hurling League titles. Holden served as captain of the team during the 2015 All-Ireland title-winning season and is also an All-Star-winner.

Holden joined the Ballyhale Shamrocks senior team when he was 17 and has been a regular for the team since then. Regarded as one of the most underrated but consistent defenders, he has won a four All-Ireland Club Championships. Holden has also won eight County Championship titles.

Playing career

=Ballyhale Shamrocks=

Holden joined the Ballyhale Shamrocks club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels. He enjoyed much championship success in the under-21 grade before eventually joining the club's top adult team in the Kilkenny Senior Championship.

On 26 October 2008, Holden was selected on the bench when Ballyhale Shamrocks faced James Stephens in the final. He remained on the bench for the entire game but collected a winners' medal following the 2–11 to 0–12 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/reids-lead-ballyhale-to-glory-26487698.html|title=Reids lead Ballyhale to glory|publisher=Irish Independent|date=27 October 2008|access-date=2 January 2015}} On 30 November 2008, Holden won a Leinster Championship medal as a non-playing substitute following Ballyhale's 2–13 to 0–11 defeat of Birr in the final.

Holden was again listed amongst the substitutes when Ballyhale Shamrocks faced James Stephens in a second consecutive final on 25 October 2009. He remained on the bench for the entire game but claimed a second successive winners' medal after a 1–14 to 1–11 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/shamrocks-in-clover-again-104184.html|title=Shamrocks in clover again|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=26 October 2009|access-date=2 January 2015|first=Diarmuid|last=O'Flynn}} On 29 November 2009, Holden won a second Leinster Championship medal as a non-playing substitute following Ballyhale's 1–16 to 1–08 defeat of Tullamore in the final.{{cite web|url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/hard-earned-win-for-ballyhale-436282.html|title=Hard-earned win for Ballyhale|publisher=Breaking News|date=29 November 2009|access-date=2 January 2015}} He was again listed amongst the substitutes when Ballyhale faced Portumna in the All-Ireland final on 17 March 2010. Holden was introduced as a 47th-minute substitute for Michael Fennelly and ended the game with a winners' medal following the 1–19 to 0–17 victory.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2010/0318/ireland/shefflin-shines-on-a-perfect-day-for-shamrocks-114788.html|title=Shefflin shines on a perfect day for Shamrocks|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=18 March 2010|access-date=2 January 2015|first=Diarmuid|last=O'Flynn}}

On 23 October 2011, Holden lined out at left wing-back when Ballyhale Shamrocks faced James Stephens in the final for the third time in five years. The game ended in an 0–11 to 1–08 draw.{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/article/index/156921|title=Kilkenny SHC: Shefflin rescues Ballyhale|publisher=Hogan Stand|date=24 October 2011|access-date=2 January 2015}} Holden was switched to right wing-back for the replay a week later but ended on the losing side following a 1–20 to 0–15 defeat.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/super-stephens-find-extra-gear-172322.html|title=Super Stephens find extra gear|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=31 October 2011|access-date=2 January 2015|first=Michael|last=Moynihan}}

On 11 November 2012, Ballyhale Shamrocks qualified to play Dicksboro in the final. Holden lined out at centre-back and ended the game with a third winners' medal - his first on the field of play - after a 0–16 to 0–12 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/ballyhale-pay-no-penalty-for-henry-misses-28895406.html|title=Ballyhale pay no penalty for Henry misses|publisher=Irish Independent|date=12 November 2012|access-date=2 January 2015|first=Martin|last=Breheny}}

After a two-year absence, Ballyhale Shamrocks were back in the final once again on 16 November 2014. Holden collected a fourth winners' medal after a 1–20 to 1–13 victory over Clara.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/ballyhale-stars-quality-shines-bright-298146.html|title=Ballyhale stars' quality shines bright|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=17 November 2014|access-date=2 January 2015|first=Michael|last=Moynihan}} He later claimed a third Leinster Championship medal on 7 December 2014 after a 0–21 to 1-14 extra-time defeat of Kilcormac/Killoughey in the final.{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/article/index/228725|title=Leinster club SHC final: Henry and TJ are just gr-eight|publisher=Hogan Stand|date=7 December 2014|access-date=2 January 2015}} Holden was selected at full-back when Ballyhale Shamrocks faced Kilmallock in the All-Ireland final on 17 March 2015. He ended the game with a second winners' medal and the man of the match title after a 1–18 to 1–06 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/ballyhale-make-it-six-of-the-best-with-final-stroll-31075381.html|title=Ballyhale make it six of the best with final stroll|publisher=Irish Independent|date=18 March 2015|access-date=30 July 2019|first=Colm|last=Keys}}

Holden played in a sixth final with Ballyhale Shamrocks on 30 October 2016. Lining out at centre-back, he ended the game on the losing side following a 0–19 to 1–12 defeat by O'Loughlin Gaels.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/ballyhale-shamrock-oloughlin-gaels-report-3054947-Oct2016/|title=O'Loughlin Gaels cause an upset to claim Kilkenny senior hurling title|publisher=Irish Independent|date=30 October 2016|access-date=30 July 2019|first=Trevor|last=Spillane}}

On 28 October 2018, Holden claimed his fifth winners' medal when Ballyhale Shamrocks defeated Bennettsbridge by 2–20 to 2–17 to win the Kilkenny Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/henry-shefflin-launches-managerial-career-as-ballyhale-win-kilkenny-championship-37467662.html|title=Henry Shefflin launches managerial career as Ballyhale win Kilkenny championship|date=28 October 2018|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=11 May 2019|first=Martin|last=Breheny}} He again lined out at full-back when Ballyhale faced Ballyboden St. Enda's in the Leinster final and ended the game with a fourth provincial winners' medal after the 2–21 to 0–11 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/henry-shefflins-ballyhale-sweep-aside-ballyboden-to-claim-ninth-leinster-club-title-37586669.html|title=Henry Shefflin's Ballyhale sweep aside Ballyboden to claim ninth Leinster club title|date=2 December 2018|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=11 May 2019|first=Vincent|last=Hogan}} Holden retained his position at full-back when Ballyhale qualified for the All-Ireland final on 17 March 2019. He collected a third winners' medal following the 2–28 to 2–11 victory over St. Thomas's.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/colin-fennelly-inspires-ballyhale-to-all-ireland-glory-as-henry-shefflin-reaches-another-milestone-37923211.html|title=Colin Fennelly inspires Ballyhale to All Ireland glory as Henry Shefflin reaches another milestone|date=17 March 2019|publisher=Irish Independent|access-date=11 May 2019|first=Martin|last=Breheny}} Holden was one of six Ballyhale Shamrocks hurlers later chosen on the Team of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/ballyhale-all-ireland-club-hurling-awards-4572865-Apr2019/|title=6 players from kingpins Ballyhale selected in All-Ireland club hurling awards|date=4 April 2019|publisher=The 42|access-date=11 May 2019|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}}

On 27 October 2019, Holden lined out at full-back when Ballyhale Shamrocks faced James Stephens in the Kilkenny Championship final. He collected a sixth winners' medal after the 2–21 to 1–15 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/gaa/ballyhale-shamrocks-too-much-for-james-stephens-in-kilkenny-shc-final-960094.html|title=Ballyhale Shamrocks too much for James Stephens in Kilkenny SHC final|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=27 October 2019|access-date=28 October 2019|first=Michael|last=Moynihan}} On 1 December 2019, Holden again lined out at full-back when Ballyhale Shamrocks faced St. Mullin's in the Leinster final. He ended the game with a fifth winners' medal following the 1–21 to 0–15 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/ballyhale-beat-st-mullins-leinster-club-hurling-final-4913941-Dec2019/|title=No more fairytales for St Mullins as ruthless Ballyhale defend their Leinster crown|publisher=The 42|date=1 December 2019|access-date=1 December 2019|first=Shane|last=Stapleton}} On 18 January 2020, Holden made his fourth All-Ireland final appearance when Ballyhale Shamrocks faced Borris-Ileigh. He ended the game with a fourth All-Ireland medal after the 0–18 to 0–15 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/ballyhale-all-ireland-club-borris-ileigh-4971091-Jan2020/|title=Ballyhale retain All-Ireland club title for first time with win over battling Borris-Ileigh|date=18 January 2020|publisher=The 42|access-date=18 January 2020|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}}

=Kilkenny=

==Senior==

Holden was drafted onto the Kilkenny senior team in advance of the 2014 National League. He made his first appearance for the team on 16 February 2014 when he lined out at right wing-back in a 1–16 to 0–18 defeat by Clare.{{cite web|url=http://hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=209639|title=Four debutants in Kilkenny team|publisher=Hogan Stand|date=15 February 2014|access-date=6 December 2014}} He was again at right wing-back when Kilkenny faced Tipperary in the National League final on 4 May 2014. Holden ended the game with a winners' medal following the 2–25 to 1–27 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/kilkenny-tipperary-allianz-hurling-league-final-report-1448498-May2014/|title=Kilkenny win third Allianz Hurling League in a row with last-gasp win over Tipperary|publisher=The 42|date=4 May 2014|access-date=8 July 2019|first=Steve|last=O'Rourke}} On 6 July 2014, he won a Leinster Championship medal after lining out at right wing-back in Kilkenny's 0–24 to 1–09 defeat of Dublin in the Leinster final.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/kilkenny-dublin-leinster-final-2014-1557243-Jul2014/|title=Kilkenny rule Leinster again after swatting disappointing Dubs|publisher=The 42|date=6 July 2014|access-date=8 July 2019|first=Niall|last=Kelly}} On 7 September 2014, Holden was again at right wing-back when Kilkenny drew 3–22 to 1–28 with Tipperary in the All-Ireland final.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/game-of-inches-adds-up-to-a-thriller-285397.html|title=Game of inches adds up to a thriller|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=8 September 2014|access-date=8 July 2019|first=John|last=Fogarty}} Holden was dropped from the starting fifteen for the replay on 27 September 2014 but was introduced on two occasions as a temporary substitute for both Jackie Tyrrell and J. J. Delaney. He ended the game with an All-Ireland medal following the 2–17 to 2–14 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hurling/2014/0927/648445-kilkenny-tipperary/|title=Kilkenny too strong for Tipperary in All-Ireland final replay|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=27 September 2014|access-date=8 July 2019}}

On 8 December 2014 Holden was nominated for the captaincy of the Kilkenny senior team.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/ballyhale-shamrocks-set-to-nominate-joey-holden-as-kilkenny-hurling-captain-1.2030180|title=Ballyhale Shamrocks set to nominate Joey Holden as Kilkenny hurling captain|publisher=Irish Times|date=8 December 2014|access-date=3 January 2015|first=Ian|last=O'Riordan}} He won a second successive Leinster Championship medal on 5 July 2015 after captaining the team from full-back to a 1–25 to 2–15 defeat of Galway in the Leinster final.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2015/0705/712795-galway-v-kilkenny/|title=Kilkenny march past Galway to another Leinster win|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=27 August 2015|access-date=8 July 2019|first=Declan|last=Rooney}} On 6 September 2015, Holden again captained the team from full-back for the All-Ireland final against Galway. He ended the game with a second successive All-Ireland medal following the 1–22 to 1–18 victory while he also had the honour of lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup as captain.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/galway-kilkenny-8-2314950-Sep2015/|title=Brilliant Kilkenny second-half showing delivers All-Ireland final win over Galway|publisher=The 42|date=6 September 2015|access-date=8 July 2019|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}} Holden was later included in the full-back position on the All-Star team.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/2015-hurling-allstars-revealed-2363477-Oct2015/|title=Kilkenny and Galway lead the way as 2015 hurling Allstar nominations revealed|publisher=The 42|date=2 October 2015|access-date=11 July 2019|first=Steve|last=O'Rourke}}

Holden won a third successive Leinster Championship medal on 3 July 2016 following a 1–26 to 0–22 defeat of Galway in the final.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/galway-challenge-peters-out-as-kilkenny-claim-71st-leinster-crown-in-familiar-style-34853403.html|title=Galway challenge peters out as Kilkenny claim 71st Leinster crown in familiar style|publisher=Irish Independent|date=3 July 2016|access-date=8 July 2019|first=Seán|last=McGoldrick}} He was again at full-back for the All-Ireland final against Tipperary on 4 September 2016. Holden ended the game on the losing side following a 2–29 to 2–20 defeat.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0904/814077-kilkenny-tipperary-match-report-all-ireland-final/|title=Tipperary blow Cats away to take All-Ireland title|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=5 September 2016|access-date=8 July 2019|first=Paul|last=Keane}}

On 8 April 2018, Holden was at right corner-back when Kilkenny faced Tipperary in the National League final. He ended the game with a second winners' medal following the 2–23 to 2–17 victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/kilkenny-whirlwind-blows-tipperary-away-as-brian-cody-claims-ninth-league-title-36786246.html|title=Kilkenny whirlwind blows Tipperary away as Brian Cody claims ninth league title|publisher=Irish Independent|date=8 April 2018|access-date=8 July 2019|first=Seán|last=McGoldrick}} Holden was switched to right wing-back when Kilkenny drew 0-18 apiece with Galway in the Leinster final on 1 July 2018.{{cite web|url=http://hoganstand.com/Article/Index/287235|title=Leinster SHC final: Cats and Tribe must meet again|publisher=Hogan Stand|date=1 July 2018|access-date=8 July 2019}} He retained the position for the replay a week later and scored a point from play in the 1–28 to 3–15 defeat.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2018/0708/977191-galway-retain-crown-after-epic-battle-with-the-cats/|title=Galway retain Leinster crown after epic battle with Kilkenny|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=8 July 2018|access-date=8 July 2019|first=Declan|last=Rooney}}

On 30 June 2019, Holden was selected at left wing-back when Kilkenny qualified to play Wexford in the Leinster final. He ended the game on the losing side following a 1–23 to 0–23 defeat.{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/wexford-kilkenny-leinster-shc-final-report-4703931-Jun2019/|title=Wexford land first Leinster title in 15 years with thrilling victory over Kilkenny|publisher=The 42|date=30 June 2019|access-date=1 July 2019|first=Kevin|last=O'Brien}} On 18 August 2019, Holden was selected at left corner-back when Kilkenny for the All-Ireland final against Tipperary. He was substituted by Conor Delaney in the 38th minute and ended the game on the losing side following a 3-25 the 0–20 defeat.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/tipperary-are-allireland-champions-as-liam-sheedys-men-see-off-14man-kilkenny-in-croke-park-38413769.html|title=Tipperary are All-Ireland champions as Liam Sheedy's men see off 14-man Kilkenny in Croke Park|publisher=Irish Independent|date=18 August 2019|access-date=16 November 2019|first=Seán|last=McGoldrick}}

In November 2021, Holden announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.{{cite web|url= https://www.the42.ie/joey-holden-retirement-5599231-Nov2021/|title=Kilkenny's last All-Ireland winning captain calls time on inter-county career|date=12 November 2021|work=The 42|accessdate=12 November 2021}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Team !rowspan="2"\|Year !colspan="3"\|National League !colspan="2"\|Leinster !colspan="2"\|All-Ireland !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Division	Apps	Score	Apps	Score	Apps	Score	Apps	Score
rowspan="8"\|Kilkenny \|2014 \|rowspan="6"\|Division 1A \|6	0-00	2	0-00	2	0-00	10	0-00
2015 \|1	0-00	2	0-00	2	0-00	5	0-00
2016 \|7	0-00	2	0-00	3	0-00	12	0-00
2017 \|3	0-00	0	0-00	1	0-00	4	0-00
2018 \|7	0-00	6	0-02	1	0-00	14	0-02
2019 \|0	0-00	3	0-01	3	0-00	6	0-01
2020 \|rowspan="2"\|Division 1B \|0	0-00	1	0-00	0	0-00	1	0-00
2021 \|2	0-00	0	0-00	0	0-00	0	0-00
colspan="3"\|Total !26	0-00	16	0-03	12	0-00	54	0-03