Some of the finest hurlers ever to play the game of Hurling have passed through the gates of UCC. Many have gone on to win All-Irelands and an array of awards.
Such names include Ray Cummins, Nicky English, Cathal Casey, John Considine, and in more recent times Joe Deane and Seanie Mcgrath.
Ray Cummins:
Ray Cummins is arguably the greatest dual player the GAA has ever seen. Certainly he is one of the most successful, having one virtually every honour that the games of hurling and football can offer. Having lost the minor hurling final of 1966, he won two U-21 All-Irelands in 1968 and 1969. He followed this up with a senior All-Ireland hurling medal in 1970 and a senior All-Ireland football medal in 1973. Ray eventually went on to win three more hurling titles as a member of the famous three-in-a-row of 1976-78, captaining the 1976 team. Ray also won Railway cup medals in both codes with a football title in 1972 and hurling titles in 1970 and 1976. Five All Star Awards (1 football and four hurling) grace the Cummins mantlepiece, including dual awards in 1971, the inaugual year of the awards.
While in UCC, Ray had the satisfaction of winning both Fitzgibbon and Sigerson medals. However, his greatest feat in college colours was as a member of the team that won the Cork County Senior Hurling Championship in 1970. Ray would go on to win many more county titles with Blackrock, but his first medal with UCC will always be special. As a matter of interest, Ray had played all his hurling in the backline before he came to UCC. His first outing in the full forward berth came in the red and black, and he never looked back since.
Nicky English:
Nicky English won his first All-Ireland with theTipperary minor hurlers in 1980. The following year he picked up a winner's medal with the U-21 team. In 1988 he won a National League medal and captained the Tipp team that lost the Senior All-Ireland final. He did not have long to wait for his first Senior All-Ireland and in Tipp's 1989 victory over Antrim, Nicky scored a modern day record of 2-12 in the final. A second All-Ireland winner's medal was to follow in 1991.
As well as two Railway Cup medals (1984 and 1985), Nicky won the Texaco Hurler of the Year in 1989, and followed this upby winning the Ballygowan National Sports Person of the Year Award for the second year in succession.
As a UCC player, Nicky is one of a select band of players who never lost a Fitzgibbon, winning five medals between 1981 and 1985 - the last one as captain of the team.
Cathal Casey:
Cathal was a member of the Cork minor hurling team that took the All-Ireland title of 1985. The following year he was a sub on the Cork Senior team that brought the Liam McCarthy back to Leeside. Another All-Ireland medal, this time at U-21 level came Cathal's way in 1986. Two years later he won his second Senior All-Ireland medal and the following year he won an All-Star at left half-back. In 1993 Cathal won four Fitzgibbon medals and served as coach and selector when his playing days with UCC were over.
John Considine:
John was one of the key factors in Cork's All-Ireland success in 1990. Playing at right corner back he turned in many sterling performances and was named on the All Star team of that year. He won a National League Hurling medal with Cork in 1993. John holds 4 Fitzgibbon medals with UCC and was one of the Colleges selectors in recent years.
Joe Deane:
Joe burst on to the scene in 1995 when winning an All-Ireland Minor medal with Cork. He went on to win two All-Ireland U-21 Medals in 1997 and 1998. However 1999 was to be the most memorable as he was instrumental in bringing the Liam McCarthy Cup back to Leeside. He also won his first All Star last year.
While in UCC Joe was a member of the hugely successful three in a row team of 1996-98. He is another on of the elite never to lose a Fitzgibbon Cup Game.
Was outshone by his girlfriend Ciara on the homescene after she picked up her second County Camogie medal with her beloved Bishopstown in 1999.
Seanie McGrath:
Seanie is probably the most "infamous" hurler in Ireland at the moment. A darling of the media, mainly due to his display on the night of the All-Ireland. On the pitch he has been equally as dazzling.
A relatively unsuccessful underage career, a Munster Minor runners-up medal, and a Munster U-21 medal, was overshadowed by his Senior debut against Clare, where he scored 5 points from play and tormented the Clare defence.
He won his first All-Ireland medal in 1999, giving a superb second half performance, and earning an All-Star for his troubles.
While in UCC Seanie collected two Fitzgibbon medals (1997,1998), and endeared himself to a busload of Athlone Schoolgirls.