Frank Kelleher

Frank Kelleher was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Shamrock's and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1910s and 1920s.

Playing career

Club

Kelleher played his club hurling and football with his local club called Shamrock's club. He enjoyed little in the way of major success with the club.

Inter-county

Kelleher first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork senior hurling team in 1912. That year he won his first Munster winners' medal following a provincial final defeat of Limerick.^[1] The All-Ireland final saw Cork line out against Dublin. 'The Rebels' were coasting at half-time with Jimmy Kennedy havings scored four goals. He had two more disallowed to give his side a 4-2 to 1-1 lead. Cork ploughed on in the second-half to secure a 6-4 to 2-4 victory.^[2] This victory gave Kelleher a coveted All-Ireland winners' medal. This was also the first occasion that Cork wore their distinctive red jerseys. The old saffron and blue jerseys had been seized by the British before the game so alternative arrangements had to be made.

In 1920 Kelleher won a second and final Munster title following another victory over Limerick. A second All-Ireland final appearance beckoned, however, Cork failed to retain their title. A goal blitz by Joe Phelan, Jimmy Walsh and Mick Neville gave Dublin a 4-9 to 4-3 victory.^[3] This defeat brought Kelleher's inter-county career to an end.

References