John Allen (hurler)

John Allen (born 1955) is an Irish retired hurler and Gaelic footballer who played as a forward in both codes for the Cork senior teams.^[1]

A dual player at the highest level, Allen spent three season with the Cork senior hurling team. During that time he won one All-Ireland winners' medal and one Munster winners' medal. Allen also spent five seasons with the Cork senior football team, during which time he won one Munster winners' medal and one National Football League winners' medal.

At club level Allen is a dual All-Ireland medalist with St. Finbarr's, while he also collected a number of provincial and club championship winners' medals in both codes.

In retirement from playing Allen turned his hand to coaching and team management. A successful few years as masseur and selector with the Cork senior hurling team led to the beginning of a two-year tenure as team manager. From 2011 until 2013, Allen was the manager of the Limerick senior hurling team.^[2][3]

Playing career

Club

Allen enjoyed a hugely successful club career with the famous St. Finbarr's club.

He was just out of the under-21 grade when Allen won his first county football championship medal. A 1–10 to 1–7 defeat of St. Michael's in 1976 secured "the Barr's" first championship since 1959.

In 1977 Allen won his first county hurling championship medal following a 1–17 to 1–5 trouncing of reigning All-Ireland champions Glen Rovers. He later added a Munster medal to his collection following a victory over Sixmilebridge in a replay of the final.^[4] Rathnure from Wexford provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland decider, however, a 2–7 to 0–9 score line gave "the Barr's" the title. It was Allen's first All-Ireland medal.

Two years later Allen secured a second county football championship medal. He later won his first Munster medal following a 0–10 to 0–4 defeat of Kilrush Shamrocks.^[5] A 3–9 to 0–8 defeat of St. Grellan's gave Allen an All-Ireland medal.

In 1980 he won his second county hurling and third county football championship medals following defeats of Glen Rovers and UCC. It was the first of three successive hurling championships for the club. After missing the Munster hurling decider, Allen was back on the team for the 1981 All-Ireland final against Ballyhale Shamrocks. A 1–15 to 1–11 defeat followed for St. Finbarr's. In spite of missing the provincial hurling showpiece, Allen secured another Munster club football medal. A 1–8 to 0–6 defeat of Walterstown gave Allen a second successive All-Ireland football medal.

After surrendering their titles in 1981, St. Finbarr's returned the following year with Allen winning a fourth county football championship medal. This was later converted into a third Munster football medal.

Allen won a fifth and final county hurling championship medal in 1984.

The following year he won his fifth county football championship following a 1–10 to 0–9 defeat of Clonakilty.

A fourth Munster medal was secured by Allen in 1986 as the club represented the county in the provincial series. A three-point defeat of Clann na nGael gave Allen his third All-Ireland medal. This win effectively brought the curtain down on his club career.

Inter-county

Allen first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor football team in 1973. He won a Munster medal that year following a 1–13 to 3–5 defeat of Kerry.^[6]

By 1976 Allen had joined the Cork under-21 hurling team. He collected a Munster medal in this grade that year as Clare were accounted for.He also won an all Ireland medal defeating Kilkenny in the final^[7]

By this stage Allen had already joined the Cork senior hurling team. He came on as a substitute to win a Munster medal following a 3–15 to 4–5 trouncing of Limerick in 1976.^[8] Cork later went on to claim the All-Ireland title, however, Allen was an unused substitute in that game.

Cork retained both their Munster and All-Ireland crowns in 1977 with Allen remaining as a member of the extended panel.

In 1978 Cork, having secured the provincial crown for a fourth successive year, played Kilkenny in the All-Ireland decider. Allen came on as a substitute in that game as "the Rebels" claimed a third championship in-a-row following a 1–15 to 2–8 victory. It was Allen's first All-Ireland medal won on the field of play.

Two years later in 1980 Allen had joined the Cork senior football team. He won a National League medal that year as Cork trounced Galway by 1–16 to 1–6.

After losing eight successive Munster football finals to Kerry between 1975 and 1982, Cork fought back in 1983. Allen was at full-forward that year as "the Rebels" claimed the Munster title following a one-point win.^[9]

Managerial career

Beginnings

In retirement from playing Allen became involved in coaching various teams at all levels. At club level he took charge of the Sts Finbarr's senior football and camogie teams and Fr. O'Neill's junior hurling team.

From 1999 until 2001 Allen served as masseur with the Cork senior hurling team.^[10] During that period the team collected two Munster titles, as well as an All-Ireland title. He opted out for a year in 2002 but returned as a selector in 2003. That year Cork won the Munster title again, however, they lost out to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. The following year Allen was still a selector when Cork lost their Munster crown but won the All-Ireland title following a victory over Kilkenny.

Cork

In late October 2004 Allen succeeded Donal O'Grady as the Cork manager for a two-year term and was immediately charged with the task of guiding the team to a second consecutive All-Ireland title for the 2005 Championship.^[11]

Allen's appointment as manager brought a level of continuity to the Cork senior hurling set-up. Very little changed with regard to the backroom team and the team virtually picked itself for every match. With Allen at the helm Cork reclaimed their second Munster title in three years with an exciting victory over Tipperary.^[12] The subsequent All-Ireland championship decider saw Cork take on Galway, winners of a thrilling semi-final with Kilkenny. On a sun-drenched day Cork defeated the men from the West on a score line of 1–21 to 1–16.^[13] It was Cork's second championship title in-a-row and Allen's first as manager.

In 2006 Cork launched an all-out assault on capturing a third consecutive All-Ireland title. Allen's side got off to a good start by retaining their Munster title following a win over Tipperary.^[14] Further victories saw Cork reach a fourth successive championship decider. Kilkenny, Cork's arch rivals, provided the opposition once again. It was a repeat of 2004 when Kilkenny were going for three wins in-a-row, however, Cork stopped them. On this occasion the tables were turned as Kilkenny halted Cork's bid for a three in-a-row, defeating them by 1–16 to 1–13.^[15] Shortly after his first defeat in ten championship games Allen announced, after much speculation, that he was not seeking another term as Cork manager.^[16]

Limerick

After a five-year absence from the inter-county scene, Allen was confirmed as the new Limerick senior hurling manager on 11 October 2011 on a two-year contract, succeeding Donal O'Grady.^[17][18][19]

On 14 July 2013 Allen guided Limerick to a first Munster final appearance in six years, with his own native Cork providing the opposition. An even first half culminated with Cork's Patrick Horgan receiving a red card for striking Limerick wing-back Paudie O'Brien on the helmet under a high ball. Limerick took complete control in the second half and powered to a 0–24 to 0–15 victory.^[20][21] While Limerick were subsequently seen as favourites to land the All-Ireland crown, their championship campaign came to an end following an All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Clare.

While the Limerick County Board had hoped that Allen would remain as manager, he announced on 9 September 2013 that he was stepping down as Limerick manager.^[22]

References