Jimmy Cooney

Who is Jimmy Cooney?

Jimmy Cooney is an Irish retired hurler who played as a left corner-back for the Galway senior team.

Born in Bullaun, County Galway, Cooney first excelled at hurling in his youth. He arrived on the inter-county scene when he made his senior debut in the 1979 championship. Cooney went on to play a key part for Galway for a brief period, and won one All-Ireland medal. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

As a member of the Connacht inter-provincial team at various times, Cooney won one Railway Cup medal in 1980. At club level he is a one-time Connacht medallist with Sarsfields. In addition to this he also won two championship medals.

Throughout his career Cooney made 9 championship appearances. His retirement came following the conclusion of the 1982 championship.

His brother, Joe, also enjoyed a lengthy career with Galway, and is regarded as one of the county's greatest-ever hurlers.

In retirement from playing, Cooney became an inter-county referee. He is best remembered for blowing the full-time whistle five minutes early during the All-Ireland semi-final between Offaly and Clare in 1998, prompting Offaly fans to stage a sit down protest in Croke Park.