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Conor Cleary (born 27 January 1994) is an Irish hurler and Gaelic footballer. At club he plays with St. Joseph's, Miltown Malbay and Kilmaley, while he has also lined out at inter-county level with various Clare teams.

Career

Cleary first played hurling and Gaelic football to a high standard as a student at St. Flannan's College in Ennis. He lined out for the college in all grades, including both the Harty Cup and Corn Uí Mhuirí competitions. Cleary later played with and captained NUI Galway in the Fitzgibbon Cup, a role which resulted in his inclusion on the Team of the Year in 2018.

At club level, Cleary first played Gaelic football with St. Joseph's, Miltown Malbay, while he also played hurling with the Kilmaley club. He was part of the latter side's under-21 team that claimed the Clare U21AHC title in 2015. Cleary has also won three Clare SFC medals with Miltown Malbay, as well as a Clare IHC title with Kilmaley in 2017.

Cleary first appeared on the inter-county scene with Clare as a member of the minor team in 2012. He subsequently progressed to the under-21 team and won back-to-back All-Ireland U21HC medals in 2013 and 2014. He captained the team in his third and final season in 2015. By that stage, Cleary had already joined the senior team.

He was at centre-back when Clare won the National League title in 2016.

On 21 July 2024, he started at full-back as Clare won the All-Ireland for the first time in 11 years after an extra-time win against Cork by 3-29 to 1-34, claiming their fifth All-Ireland title.

Honours

St Joseph's, Miltown Malbay

• Clare Senior Football Championship: 2015, 2018, 2019

Kilmaley

• Clare Intermediate Hurling Championship: 2017
• Clare Under-21 A Hurling Championship: 2015

Clare

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: 2024
• National Hurling League: 2016, 2024 (c)
• All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship: 2013, 2014
• Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship: 2013, 2014

References

1. "Flannan's finish with flourish". Irish Examiner. 20 October 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
2. "Flannan's fight it out with ISK". Irish Examiner. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
3. "Captain Conor Cleary says NUIG is determined to reach the Fitzgibbon Cup Finals". Irish Examiner. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
4. "Electric Ireland Rising Stars announced". Hogan Stand. 17 April 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
5. "Kilmaley and Tulla take U21 Hurling titles". Clare FM website. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
6. Brennan, Eoin (27 October 2019). "Late Surge Sees St Joseph's Miltown Claim Clare SFC Title". RTÉ Sport.
7. "Kilmaley Crowned Clare Intermediate Hurling Champions". Clare FM website. 8 October 2017. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
8. "Clare and Limerick reveal minor hurling selections". The 42. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
9. O'Riordan, Ian (14 September 2013). "Clare win pulling up to take third title in five years". Irish Times. Retrieved 9 November 2013.
10. Kelly, Liam (13 September 2014). "Clare hold off brave Wexford challenge to claim three-in-a-row". Irish Independent. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
11. "Clare skipper Conor Cleary breaks with tradition". Irish Examiner. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
12. "From West Clare football country and becoming the new Seanie McMahon". The 42. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
13. "Conor Cleary hails Clare maturity as they brace for Cork test". RTE Sport. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
14. "Tony Kelly inspires Banner to first League title since 1978". Irish Independent. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
15. Ryan, Eoin (21 July 2024). "Clare find extra gear to edge Cork in historic hurling final epic". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 21 July 2024.
16. "All-Ireland SHC Final: Clare win epic encounter". GAA.ie. 21 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
17. "Clare 3-29 Cork 1-34". Munster GAA. 19 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.

• 1994 births
• Living people
• Dual players
• University of Galway hurlers
• Kilmaley hurlers
• Clare inter-county hurlers
• Alumni of the University of Galway
• 21st-century Irish sportsmen