Conor Lehane

Conor Lehane (born 30 July 1992) is an Irish hurler who currently plays as a left wing-forward for the Cork senior team.^[2]

Born in Midleton, County Cork, Lehane first excelled at hurling whilst at school at Midleton CBS. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Cork minor team, before later lining out with the under-21 side. He made his senior debut in the 2011 Waterford Crystal Cup. Lehane has since gone on to play a key part for Cork as one of the team's top forwards, however, he has enjoyed little success in terms of silverware.^[3] He has been an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

At club level Lehane has won one championship medal with Midleton.

Playing career

Club

Lehane plays his club hurling with Midleton and has enjoyed some success at underage levels.

In 2010 Lehane won a county minor championship with the club, following a 1-15 to 0-12 defeat of Na Piarsaigh.^[4]

Lehane had joined the club's under-21 team by 2011, and won a divisional under-21 championship. Midleton later secured the county under-21 championship, following a 1-11 to 0-8 defeat of Duhallow.^[5]

In 2013 Lehane completed his collection of county medals as he helped Midletion win a first senior county title since 1991 after victory over Sarsfield's with a Man of the Match display,scoring 2.10.He also won another county under-21 championship as captain, defeating Blackrock.^[6]

University

During his tenure at University College Cork, Lehane played a key role for the university's various hurling teams.

In 2012 he was at full-forward when UCC faced fierce local rivals Cork Institute of Technology in the final of the All-Ireland Freshers Championship. Lehane chipped in with 0-6 to secure a 1-24 to 3-13 extra time victory.^[7]

He progressed onto the UCC senior team during the 2012-13 college year, and lined out in the final of the Fitzgibbon Cup. Mary Immaculate College were the surprise opponents, however, tradition prevailed and UCC retained their title with a 2-17 to 2-12 victory.with Lehane giving a Man of the Match performance.^[8] It was Lehane's first Fitzgibbon Cup medal.

Inter-county

Lehane first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor hurling team. He enjoyed little success in this grade before subsequently moving onto the county's under-21 side. [Waft]

In 2011 Lehane was just out of the minor grade when he was drafted onto the Cork senior panel. He played a number of games in the pre-season Waterford Crystal Cup, and ended up scoring seven points in Cork's final defeat by Waterford. A knee injury prevented him from making his debut in the subsequent National League, while the completion of the Leaving Certificate ruled him out of action in the early rounds of the championship.^[9] Lehane later made his championship debut when he came on as a substitute in Cork's All-Ireland qualifier defeat by Galway.^[10]

Personal life

Lehane grew up in Midleton and was educated at Midleton CBS Secondary School in the town. It was here that he first came to prominence as a hurler, representing the school in the Dr. Harty Cup.^[11] He is currently a student in University College Cork.

Career statistics

As of match played 3 April 2016.

Honours

Team

Midleton

• Cork Senior Hurling Championship (1): 2013
• Cork Under-21 Hurling Championship (2): 2011, 2013 (c)
• East Cork Under-21 'A' Hurling Championship (2): 2011, 2013
• Cork Premier Minor Hurling Championship (1): 2010 (c)

Cork

• Munster Senior Hurling Championship (1): 2014

University College Cork

• Fitzgibbon Cup (1): 2013
• All-Ireland Freshers Championship (1): 2012 (c)

References