Willie Hyland Explained

Willie Hyland
Irish:Liam Ó hAoláin
Occupation:Wellness centre director
Birth Place:Portlaoise,
County Laois, Ireland
Sport:Hurling
Code:Hurling
County:Laois
Province:Leinster
Club:Clough–Ballacolla
Clposition:Centre forward
Clcounty:6
Colleges:Limerick Institute of Technology
Colyears:2007-2011
Fitz:0
Counties:Laois
Icyears:2006-2016
Icposition:Left wing-forward
Icapps(Points):21 (7-128)
Icprovince:0
Icallireland:0
Nhl:0
Allstars:0

William Hyland (born 1988) is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He is the current manager of the Clough–Ballacolla team, having also played for the club. Hyland also lined out at various inter-county levels with Laois.

Playing career

Hyland first played hurling to a high standard as a student at St Fergal's College in Rathdowney. He was part of the team that beat St Brogan's College from Bandon by two points to win the All-Ireland VS SAHC title in 2006.[1] Hyland later played with Limerick Institute of Technology in the Fitzgibbon Cup and was red carded in a 1-17 to 2-11 defeat by University of Limerick in the 2011 final.[2]

At club level, Hyland began his carrer at juvenile and underage levels Clough–Ballacolla and won a Laois MAHC title in 2006.[3] He subsequently progressed to adult level and won six Laois SHC medals between 2009 and 2022.[4]

Hyland first played for Laois at inter-county level during a two-year tenure with the minor team team.[5] He later progressed to the under-21 team but ended his underage career without success.[6] Hyland was still eligible for the minor grade when he made his senior team debut against Galway in 2006.[7] His inter-county honours include two National League Division 2 medals. Hyland retired from inter-county hurling during to an on-going hip injury in 2016.[8]

Hyland's performances at inter-county level resulted in his selection for the Leinster team in the Railway Cup.[9] He was also selected for Ireland and was part of the national team that won the Shinty–Hurling International Series in 2011.[10]

Coaching career

Hyland took over as manager of the Clough–Ballacolla senior team in December 2023.[11] He guided the team to the Laois SHC title in his first season in charge after a 2–22 to 0–22 defeat of Rathdowney–Errill.[12]

Honours

Player

St Fergal's College

2006

Clough–Ballacolla GAA

2009, 2011, 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022

Laois

2007, 2013

Ireland

2011

Management

Clough–Ballacolla GAA

2024

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Looking back on the amazing day St Fergal’s claimed their first All-Ireland hurling title in 2006. Laois Today. 22 March 2018. 20 October 2024.
  2. Web site: UL overcome local rivals to win Fitzgibbon Cup. Irish Examiner. 26 February 2011. 20 October 2024.
  3. Web site: Remember the Game: The 2006 minor hurling final between Clough-Ballacolla and Camross. Laois Today. 7 September 2019. 20 October 2024.
  4. Web site: ‘I definitely don’t have much left’ – Willie Hyland savours sweet Laois title success. Irish Independent. 4 October 2022. 20 October 2024.
  5. Web site: Minor hurlers collapse. Hogan Stand. 30 March 2007. 20 October 2024.
  6. Web site: Black Cats brush aside Laois. Irish Examiner. 20 May 2009. 20 October 2024.
  7. Web site: Mullaney in firing line as Galway give lowly Laois seven goal mauling. Irish Examiner. 19 June 2006. 20 October 2024.
  8. Web site: Hyland retires from Laois duty. Hogan Stand. 17 November 2016. 20 October 2024.
  9. Web site: Leinster name teams and managers. RTÉ Sport. 13 February 2012. 20 October 2024.
  10. Web site: Ireland win Shinty series. Irish Examiner. 29 October 2011. 20 October 2024.
  11. Web site: Clough-Ballacolla turn to club legends to manage senior hurlers for 2024 season. Laois Today. 14 December 2023. 20 October 2024.
  12. Web site: Maher inspires Clough-Ballacolla to fourth Laois SHC title in five years. 6 October 2024. Hogan Stand. 6 October 2024.