Padraig Faulkner (Gaelic footballer)
{{Short description|Irish Gaelic footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox GAA player
| name = Padraig Faulkner
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| irish = Pádraig Ó Fachtna
| sport = Gaelic football
| clposition =
| icposition = Full back
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1994}}
| birth_place =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| feet = 6
| inches = 1
| nickname =
| occupation = Primary school teacher{{cite news|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Paul|date=26 March 2020|title='I try to lead in how I train and how I play'|url=https://www.anglocelt.ie/2020/03/26/i-try-to-lead-in-how-i-train-and-how-i-play/|work=The Anglo-Celt|access-date=29 October 2023}}
|
| clyears =
| clubs = Kingscourt Stars
| clapps(points) =
| code = Football
| county = Cavan
| clcounty = 1
| province = Ulster
| clprovince =
| clallireland =
| colyears =
| colleges =
| colapps(points) =
| sig =
| icyears = 2016–
| counties = {{GG|Cavan|football}}
| icapps(points) =
| icprovince = 1
| icallireland =
| nfl =
| allstars = 1
| clupdate =
| icupdate =
}}
Padraig Faulkner (born 1994) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays as a full back for Kingscourt Stars and the Cavan county team.
Playing career
=Club=
Faulkner joined the Kingscourt Stars club at a young age. Kingscourt amalgamated with Shercock for the 2011 Minor championship, and reached the final against Cavan Gaels. Faulkner was in the half-back line as the amalgamation won the final by six points.{{cite web|title=MFC final: O'Raghallaigh Gaels deliver title|url=https://www.hoganstand.com/Cavan/Article/Index/154825|work=Hogan Stand|date=11 September 2011|access-date=22 October 2022}}
Faulkner later joined the club's senior team. On 30 September 2012, Faulkner started at corner back against Mullahoran in his first county final, which ended in a draw.{{cite web|last=Corrigan|first=Shane|title=Cavan SFC final: Late O'Reilly free denies Kingscourt|url=https://hoganstand.com/article/index/178304|date=30 September 2012|work=Hogan Stand|access-date=30 September 2012}} Faulkner kept his position for the replay on 7 October 2012. Faulkner scored a point from play but Kingscourt fell to a 1–8 to 0–7 defeat.{{cite web|last=Corrigan|first=Shane|title=Cavan SFC final replay: Brady strike sinks Stars|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=178712|date=8 October 2012|work=Hogan Stand|access-date=9 October 2012}} Kingscourt returned to the county final again in 2014, facing Cavan Gaels on 12 October. Faulkner started the match at centre back, but was sent off in the 12th minute. Kingscourt played on with 14 men, but a last-minute Micheál Lyng point helped the Gaels to a one-point win.{{cite news|date=12 October 2014|title=Lyng seals the deal to leave Kingscourt seeing stars|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/lyng-seals-the-deal-to-leave-kingscourt-seeing-stars-30658440.html|work=Irish Independent|access-date=12 May 2020}} On 11 October 2015, Faulkner played at full back as Kingscourt were in the county final once again, this time against Castlerahan. Kingscourt won the match by 1–9 to 0–11; it was Faulkner's first championship medal.{{cite web|last=Corrigan|first=Shane|date=11 October 2015|title=Cavan SFC final: Stars secure 11th title|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=245372|work=Hogan Stand|access-date=12 October 2015}}
Faulkner was forced off injured in Kingscourt's semi-final victory over Cavan Gaels in 2020.{{cite news|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Paul|date=21 September 2020|title=Stars and Crosserlough to vie for senior title|url=https://www.anglocelt.ie/2020/09/21/stars-and-crosserlough-to-vie-for-senior-title/|work=The Anglo-Celt|access-date=12 February 2021}} Despite his injury, he recovered to captain Kingscourt in the final against Crosserlough on 26 September. Faulkner scored a goal in the first half and Kingscourt were in front late on, but Crosserlough equalised to send the game to a replay.{{cite news|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Paul|date=26 September 2020|title=Crosserlough force Cavan final replay with late equaliser|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/0926/1167691-crosserlough-force-cavan-final-replay-with-late-strike/|work=RTÉ|access-date=3 October 2020}} Faulkner played in the replay as Kingscourt lost the final by 0–13 to 0–8.{{cite news|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Paul|date=3 October 2020|title=Crosserlough bridge 48-year gap in Cavan replay victory over Kingscourt|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/1003/1169167-crosserlough-bridge-48-year-gap-in-cavan-replay/|work=RTÉ|access-date=30 January 2022}} Kingscourt next contested the county final in 2023, facing defending champions Gowna. Faulkner opened the scoring, but Gowna took over the match and went on to win the final by seventeen points.{{cite news|last=Roche|first=Frank|date=22 October 2023|title=Cavan SFC final: First-half blitz ensures Gowna reclaim county crown|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/cavan-sfc-final-first-half-blitz-ensures-gowna-reclaim-county-crown/a366932887.html|work=Irish Independent|access-date=22 October 2023}}
=Inter-county=
==Minor and under-21==
Faulkner first represented Cavan at minor level and was on the panel in 2011. Cavan beat {{GG|Armagh|football}} in the Ulster final,{{cite news|url=https://hoganstand.com/article/index/151832|title=Ulster MFC: Cavan stun Armagh to end 37-year wait|date=17 July 2011|work=Hogan Stand|access-date=12 May 2022}} but Faulkner didn't feature in the match through injury.
Faulkner later joined the under-21 team in 2014. On 9 April, Faulkner started in the Ulster final against {{GG|Donegal|football}}. Cavan were winners on a 2–6 to 0–8 scoreline.{{cite news|last=Bannon|first=Orla|date=9 April 2014|title=Cavan seal a fourth successive Ulster U21 football title as they see off Donegal|url=https://www.the42.ie/cavan-donegal-ulster-u21-1407605-Apr2014/|work=The 42|access-date=21 January 2021}} Faulkner later played in Cavan's one-point All-Ireland semi-final defeat to eventual winners {{GG|Dublin|football}}.{{cite news|last=Farrell|first=Sean|date=19 April 2014|title=McHugh helps Dublin squeak past resolute Cavan and into All-Ireland final|url=https://www.the42.ie/match-report-dublin-cavan-u21-1423594-Apr2014/|work=The 42|access-date=21 January 2021}} Faulkner's under-age career with Cavan came to an end in 2015, losing to Donegal in the first round.{{cite news|last=Foley|first=Alan|date=19 March 2015|title=Donegal deliver as Cavan stunned by McHugh’s late goal|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-20319332.html|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=21 January 2021}}
==Senior==
Faulkner joined the Cavan senior squad ahead of the 2016 season, and made his National League debut on 31 January in a loss to {{GG|Tyrone|football}}.{{cite news|last=Mooney|first=Francis|date=31 January 2016|title=Tyrone triumphant over a despondent Cavan|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-30718320.html|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=19 October 2023}} Faulkner kept his place for the rest of the league as Cavan were promoted to Division 1.{{cite news|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Paul|date=3 April 2016|title=Cavan back in the top flight after beating Galway|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0403/779165-cavan-v-galway/|work=RTÉ|access-date=30 January 2022}} Faulkner played in the Division 2 final against Tyrone, as Cavan suffered a five-point defeat.{{cite news|last=Keane|first=Paul|date=24 April 2016|title=Tyrone see off Cavan for silverware|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0424/783916-tyrone-v-cavan/|work=RTÉ|access-date=30 January 2022}} Faulkner made his championship debut on 29 May, starting at corner back in an Ulster quarter-final win over Armagh.{{cite news|last=Mooney|first=Francis|date=19 May 2016|title=Cavan comfortably ease past Armagh challenge|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0529/791810-cavan-v-armagh/|work=RTÉ|access-date=11 February 2021}}
On 1 April 2018, Faulkner was at full back for the Division 2 final against {{GG|Roscommon|football}}. Faulkner scored a point as Roscommon won a high-scoring game.{{cite news|last=O'Brien|first=Kevin|date=1 April 2018|title=Roscommon lift Division 2 title with win over Cavan in eight-goal thriller|url=https://www.the42.ie/roscommon-cavan-division-2-final-3935175-Apr2018/|work=The 42|access-date=30 January 2022}} In the 2019 championship, Cavan reached the Ulster final for the first time in 18 years.{{cite news|last=Bogue|first=Declan|date=9 June 2019|title=Cavan end 18-year wait for Ulster final after pulsating replay win over Armagh|url=https://www.the42.ie/cavan-armagh-ulster-semi-final-replay-4675097-Jun2019/|work=The 42|access-date=11 February 2021}} On 23 June, Faulkner started at full back in the Ulster final against Donegal. Donegal were 1–24 to 2–16 winners.{{cite news|last=Bogue|first=Declan|date=23 June 2019|title=Clinical Donegal dispatch Cavan to go back-to-back in Ulster|url=https://www.the42.ie/donegal-cavan-ulster-sfc-report-final-4694506-Jun2019/|work=The 42|access-date=21 January 2021}}
On 22 November 2020, Cavan met Donegal in the Ulster final for the second year in a row. Faulkner lined out at full back as Cavan bridged a 23-year gap with a four-point win.{{cite news|last=Mooney|first=Francis|date=22 November 2020|title=Cavan shock Donegal to claim Ulster title|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/1122/1179722-cavan-shock-donegal-to-claim-ulster-title/|work=RTÉ|access-date=21 January 2021}} Cavan's championship came to an end against Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final.{{cite news|last=Neville|first=Conor|date=5 December 2020|title=Dublin beat Cavan at a canter to reach another final|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2020/1205/1182543-dublin-beat-cavan-at-a-canter-to-reach-another-final/|work=RTÉ|access-date=21 January 2021}} Faulkner was named at full back on the All Star team for his performances in the championship.{{cite news|title=2020 PwC All-Stars Football nominations announced|url=https://www.gaa.ie/football/news/2020-pwc-all-stars-football-nominations-announced/|work=Gaelic Athletic Association|date=15 January 2021|access-date=11 February 2021}}{{cite news|title=Cavan trio recognised as Dublin dominate All-Stars|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2021/0218/1198010-cavan-trio-recognised-as-dublin-dominate-all-stars/|work=RTÉ|date=19 February 2021|access-date=19 February 2021}}
On 2 April 2022, Faulkner was at full back as Cavan faced {{GG|Tipperary|football}} in the National League Division 4 final. Faulkner scored a point from play in Cavan's 2–10 to 0–15 victory.{{cite news|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Paul|date=2 April 2022|title=Cavan crowned Division 4 champions after edging out Tipperary|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2022/0402/1289964-cavan-take-division-4-title-after-edging-out-tipperary/|work=RTÉ|access-date=2 April 2022}} On 5 June, Faulkner scored a goal in Cavan's comfortable Tailteann Cup quarter-final win over {{GG|Fermanagh|football}}.{{cite news|last=McLaughlin|first=Gerry|date=5 June 2022|title=Cavan outmuscle Fermanagh to book semi-final spot in Tailteann Cup|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2022/0605/1303113-cavan-outmuscle-fermanagh-to-book-semi-final-spot/|work=RTÉ|access-date=16 August 2022}} Faulkner started the final against {{GG|Westmeath|football}} on 9 July. Faulkner scored a second-half goal to put Cavan ahead, but Westmeath finished the match strongly and ended up four-point winners.{{cite news|last=O'Brien|first=Kevin|date=9 July 2022|title=Westmeath crowned inaugural Tailteann Cup champions after late flurry against Cavan|url=https://www.the42.ie/westmeath-cavan-tailteann-cup-final-5812569-Jul2022/|work=The 42|access-date=11 July 2022}}
Cavan played in their second successive league final in 2023, facing Fermanagh in the Division 3 decider. Faulkner played the full game as Cavan secured their second successive league title;{{cite news|last=Keane|first=Paul|date=1 April 2023|title=Cavan secure Fermanagh revenge and back-to-back league crowns|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41107360.html|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=1 April 2023}} it was also Faulkner's 100th game for Cavan.{{cite news|last=Donohoe|first=Damien|date=6 April 2023|title=Faulkner celebrates century with league final success|url=https://www.anglocelt.ie/2023/04/06/faulkner-celebrates-century-with-league-final-success/|work=The Anglo-Celt|access-date=29 October 2023}} Cavan's season ended with a Tailteann Cup quarter-final defeat to {{GG|Down|football}}.{{cite news|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Paul|date=17 June 2023|title=Down deliver against Cavan to reach Tailteann Cup semi-finals|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2023/0617/1389691-down-deliver-against-cavan-to-reach-tailteann-cup-semis/|work=RTÉ|access-date=17 June 2023}} At the end of the season, Faulkner was named on the Tailteann Cup Team of the Year.{{cite news|title=Tailteann Cup Team of the Year announced|url=https://www.gaa.ie/football/news/tailteann-cup-team-of-the-year-announced/|work=Gaelic Athletic Association|date=26 October 2023|access-date=28 October 2023}}
Ahead of the 2024 season, Cavan manager Raymond Galligan appointed Faulkner as joint-captain of the Cavan senior team, along with Ciarán Brady.{{cite news|title=Cavan appoint joint-captains as Galligan reveals first League selection|url=https://hoganstand.com/Cavan/Article/Index/330492|work=Hogan Stand|date=26 January 2024|access-date=15 December 2024}}
Honours
Cavan
- Ulster Senior Football Championship: 2020
- National Football League Division 3: 2023
- National Football League Division 4: 2022
- Ulster Under-21 Football Championship: 2014
- Ulster Minor Football Championship: 2011
Kingscourt Stars
O'Raghallaigh Gaels
Individual
- All Star Award: 2020
- Tailteann Cup Team of the Year: 2023
- Irish News Ulster All-Star: 2020{{cite news|title=Previous Ulster All-Star Winners|url=https://allstars.irishnews.com/previous-all-stars/|work=The Irish News|access-date=10 December 2024}}
- Gaelic Life Cavan Club Footballer of the Year: 2020{{cite news|title=Cavan – All Star Winners 2020|url=https://gaeliclife.com/club-all-stars/cavan-all-star-winners-2020/|work=Gaelic Life|date=4 February 2021|access-date=16 August 2022}}
- Ulster GAA Writers' Association merit award: April 2016{{cite web|title=Faulkner lifts Quinn Building Products monthly award|url=https://hoganstand.com/Cavan/Article/Index/255081|work=Hogan Stand|date=13 May 2016|access-date=16 August 2022}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box
| title = Cavan Senior Football joint-captain|with= Ciarán Brady
| before = Raymond Galligan
| years = 2024–
| after = Incumbent
}}
{{s-end}}
{{Cavan Football Team 2022}}
{{2020 All Stars}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Faulkner, Padraig}}
Category:Cavan inter-county Gaelic footballers