Club Achievements

Kevin Tucker

Eire Og Nenagh has produced many outstanding hurlers over the years; with the Tuckers among them, no different striving to make the break through. A strong underage structure brought a young enthusiastic player Kevin Tucker up through the ranks. Divisional titles followed at U-14 and U-l6 level in the late eighties and early nineties. While still learning and mastering the skills at Bord na nOg level, Kevin was promoted to the minors. He soon witnessed the atmosphere of Semple Stadium for the first time in corner forward as the light blue and navy colours claimed County minor honours in 1991 against Knockavilla Kickhams. Back to back tides followed as Nenagh added a second title in the 1992 final win over Thurles Sarsfields. Kevin was an automatic selection for the county minors with the added responsibility of captaincy on his shoulders for the first time.

On Munster final day, in which the Tipp seniors toppled Clare by a record margin, Kevin was the proud recipient of the Munster Minor trophy. While still maturing, the youngest in a family of five took his inspiration from Senior Stalwarts, Pat Fox and Michael Cleary.

Playing Senior hurling for club and county was his utmost ambition. That year, Kevin made his senior club debut in the North championship, but suffered an agonising defeat by a single point in their unsuccessful county final loss to Toomevara. Once over age for the minors, Kevin was almost directly included in the U-21 set-up. He in turn established his regular wing forward berth for the Premier County for the next three years. 1995 happened to be a fruitful campaign. Tipp defeated Kilkenny in Thurles to claim the Dr Morris Trophy in which proved a memorable year for the ace-attacker.

On the club front, being an integral member of the Nenagh attack meant that he posed a serious threat to all opposition when in top form. With an All-Ireland medal safe in his back pocket. Kevin was also enjoying the club’s progress in the championship. Pa Joe Whelehan was the man in charge as Nenagh reached only their second ever county final via the back door route with re-entry after capturing the North Tipp league. After coming so close two years previously, Nenagh finally found the Holy Grail at Boherlahan’s expense as Dan Breen settled in the North Tipp capital for the first time. Kevin made a huge contribution to the victory, but their championship run came to an end against Siniiilebridge in the Munster final.

His bumper season in 1995 earned him a call up to the senior panel for the 1996 League and championship campaign. It wasn’t until the following year that he made an impression operating on the half forward line, notching his share of scores with each outing in both league and championship.

Article by Leonard Fitzgerald