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Neil Montgomery (born 1998) is an Irish hurler who plays for Waterford Senior Championship club Abbeyside and at inter-county level with the Waterford senior hurling team. He usually lines out as a midfielder.

Playing career

University College Cork

As a student at University College Cork, Montgomery earned selection on the university's top hurling team. He was a member of the extended panel when UCC claimed the 2019 Fitzgibbon Cup after a 2-21 to 0-13 defeat of Mary Immaculate College in the final. Montgomery remained a peripheral member of the team for the 2020 Fitzgibbon Cup. In spite of this, he ended the campaign with a second successive Fitzgibbon Cup medal after coming on as a substitute in the 0-18 to 2-11 defeat of the Institute of Technology, Carlow in the 2020 final.

Abbeyside–Ballinacourty

Montgomery first came to prominence as a hurler with the Abbeyside club, while also playing Gaelic football with sister club Ballinacourty. He enjoyed divisional success in both codes with the respective under-21 teams.

On 7 October 2018, Montgomery was selected at right wing-forward when Abbeyside qualified for the 2018 county final against Ballygunner. He was held scoreless over the hour as Abbeyside suffered a 2-19 to 0-13 defeat.

Waterford

Minor and under-21

Montgomery first played for Waterford as a member of the minor team during the 2016 Munster Minor Championship. He made his debut in that grade on 6 April 2016 when he lined out at full-forward in a 0-17 to 1-10 defeat by Cork, before ending the season without success. Montgomery was subsequently drafted onto the Waterford under-21 team, making his first appearance in a 0-23 to 1-17 defeat by Cork in the 2018 Munster semi-final. A change in the age limit meant that Montgomery was overage for the following year's championship.

Senior

Montgomery was drafted onto the Waterford senior team by new manager Liam Cahill in advance of the 2020 Munster League. He made his first competitive appearance in a 1-17 to 1-13 defeat by Cork on the opening round of the pre-season competition. Montgomery was subsequently included on Waterford's National League panel and made his first appearance in that competition in a 1-24 to 3-17 victory over Cork in the first round. Montgomery made his championship debut on 31 October 2020, when he came on as a 62nd-minute substitute for Jack Fagan in a 1-28 to 1-24 defeat of Cork in the Munster semi-final. He was again introduced as a substitute after starting on the bench when Waterford suffered a 0-25 to 0-21 defeat by Limerick in the 2020 Munster final. After making appearances of the bench in subsequent defeats of Clare and Kilkenny, Montgomery received his first starting fifteen berth when he was named at centre-forward for the 2020 All-Ireland final against Limerick.

Career statistics

As of match played 28 November 2020.

Honours

St. Augustine's College

• Munster Colleges Senior C Hurling Championship (1): 2017

University College Cork

• Fitzgibbon Cup (1): 2020

References

1. Verney, Michael (22 September 2020). "Montgomery injury adds to Cahill's woes as Déise fix eyes on Rebels". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
2. O'Callaghan, Therese (23 February 2019). "UCC claim double with emphatic win over Mary I". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
3. Farrell, Sinéad (12 February 2020). "14-man UCC come from 6 points down to win Fitzgibbon Cup final against IT Carlow". The 42. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
4. McCarthy, Tomás (7 October 2018). "Deise star Pauric Mahony fires over 0-13 to mastermind five-in-a-row for Gunners". The 42. Retrieved 16 October 2018.
5. McCarthy, Tomás (6 April 2016). "Strong start by Cork as they defeat Waterford in Munster minor hurling opener". The 42. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
6. Hurley, Denis (20 June 2018). "Cork through to Munster hurling final after second-half comeback against Waterford". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
7. Hurley, Denis (29 December 2019). "O'Connell goal helps Cork reach Munster league final with win over Waterford". The 42. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
8. O'Toole, Fintan (26 January 2020). "0-16 from Bennett brothers as Waterford rally to claim impressive win over Cork". The 42. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
9. Cormican, Eoghan (31 October 2020). "Calum Lyons goal helps Waterford end 1,175-day wait for Munster SHC win". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
10. Fogarty, John (15 November 2020). "Limerick made to work by Waterford for historic Munster SHC crown". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
11. McKeon, Conor (11 December 2020). "Aaron Gillane to start as Limerick and Waterford teams named for All-Ireland final". Irish Independent. Retrieved 12 December 2020.

• 1998 births
• Living people
• UCC hurlers
• Abbeyside hurlers
• Ballinacourty Gaelic footballers
• Waterford inter-county hurlers
• 21st-century Irish sportsmen