Jimmy Phelan

Who was Jimmy Phelan?

James "Jimmy" Phelan was an Irish hurler who played as a left corner-forward for the Kilkenny senior team.

Born in Ballyragget, County Kilkenny, Phelan first excelled at hurling whilst at school in Mount Sion CBS. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Waterford minor team. He made his senior debut for Kilkenny in the 1939 championship. Phelan's senior career was brief but successful, winning one All-Ireland medal and two Leinster medals. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

As a member of the Leinster inter-provincial team for three years, Phelan won one Railway Cup medal in 1941. At club level he enjoyed a distinguished career with Mount Sion, Tullaroan, Éire Óg and Carlow Town.

Throughout his brief career Pehaln made just 8 championship appearances. His retirement came following a defeat by Dublin in the 1942 championship.

In retirement from playing, Phelan became involved in team management and coaching at club and inter-county levels. As coach of Carlow he guided the team to the All-Ireland successes at junior level in 1960 and intermediate level in 1962.