Sylvie Linnane

Sylvie Linnane (born 29 December 1956 in Gort, County Galway) is an Irish former sportsman. He played hurling with his local club Gort and was a member of the Galway senior inter-county team in the 1970s and 1980s. Linnane is regarded as one of Galway’s greatest-ever players and multi all-star winner.

Linnane played his club hurling with his local club in Gort and enjoyed some success. He won his first county title in 1981. This was later converted into a Connacht club title, however, Gort were defeated by James Stephens in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final. Linnane captured another brace of county and provincial titles in 1983 before lining out in his first All-Ireland club final. Gort took on Ballyhale Shamrocks on that occasion, however, victory went to the Kilkenny men on the day.

Linnane first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with the Galway at under-age levels. At minor level he lined out in the All-Ireland final of 1973, however, Kilkenny were victorious on that occasion. Linnane later played with the Galway under-21 team, however, he had little success in this grade.

Linanne later joined the Galway senior team in the late 1970s. That year the team shocked Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final for the second time of the decade. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Linnane come on as a substitute as Galway played Kilkenny. In one of the least exciting finals of the decade Galway continued their losing streak and capitulated to ‘the Cats’ by 2-12 to 1-8.

In 1980 Galway defeated Kildare and Offaly to reach a second consecutive All-Ireland final. On that occasion Limerick provided the opposition. Galway got off to a good start with two goals and led by 2-7 to 1-5 at the interval. Limerick fought back in the second-half; however, Galway secured the victory by 2-15 to 3-9. It was Linnane’s first All-Ireland medal and Galway’s first since 1923. The celebrations at Croke Park on that occasion surpassed anything that had ever been seen before.

In 1981 both Galway and Limerick met in the All-Ireland semi-final, however, it took a replay to find a winner. Galway emerged to take part in their third All-Ireland final in-a-row. Offaly, a team that Linnane’s side defeated on the way to the championship the previous year now provided the opposition. In another close encounter Galway looked set to make history as they took a six point lead after the interval. The team, however, failed to score for the last twenty-three minutes and Offaly took their first All-Ireland title.

The next three seasons saw Galway defeated at the All-Ireland semi-final stage. Linnane’s side returned to the big time in 1985 when Galway defeated reigning champions Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final, a victory which allowed the team advance to the All-Ireland final. That game was a close affair; however, for the second year in-a-row Offaly got the better of Galway in the All-Ireland series. In spite of losing another championship decider Linnane was presented with a coveted All-Star award.

In 1986 Linnane lined out in his fifth All-Ireland final. Cork were the opponents on that occasion but Galway, having played in the championship decider the previous year, were regarded as the red-hot favourites. The favourites tag counted for little as Cork won an exciting game on a score line of 4-13 to 2-15. In spite of losing another championship decider Linnane was presented with a second All-Star award.

In 1987 Linnane captured a National Hurling League medal before his side reached the All-Ireland final for a third year in-a-row. The pressure was on the team as no side had ever lost three successive All-Ireland finals. The experience gained in the two previous championship deciders showed against a Kilkenny side that was over the hill. Galway won the game on a score line of 1-12 to 0-9 and Linnane collected his second All-Ireland medal.

In 1988 Galway reached the All-Ireland final for the fourth consecutive year. Tipperary, the team Galway defeated in the previous year’s semi-final, provided the opposition. In a close game Galway emerged victorious and Linnane collected his third All-Ireland medal. He finished off the year by winning a third All-Star award. Linnane retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.

Linnane also lined out with Connacht in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured his first Railway Cup title in 1980 as Connacht defeated Munster. Linnane later collected further Railway Cup medals in 1982, 1983 and 1986.

• Mauricius Ó Leaáin, Bishop of Kilmacduagh 1254-1284.
• Noel Lane (born 1954) retired Gaelic Athletic Association sportsperson

• Corry, Eoghan, The GAA Book of Lists (Hodder Headline Ireland, 2005).

• Galway GAA honours

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