Noel Tierney

Noel Tierney (2 February 1942 – 10 November 2024) was an Irish Gaelic footballer. At club level he played with Garrymore and Milltown, while he was also a member of the Galway senior football team.

Career

Tierney began playing Gaelic football with the Garrymore club in south Mayo, however, he subsequently transferred to the Milltown club. Success was immediate, with Tierney winning a divisional minor title in 1960 before winning a Galway JFC medal in 1961.

On the inter-county scene, Tierney first play for Galway during a two-year stint with the minor team. He won back-to-back Connacht SFC medals before ending his minor with a 4-09 to 1-05 defeat of Cork in the 1960 All-Ireland minor final. Progression to the senior team soon followed and he won the first of four successive Connacht SFC medals in 1963. Tierney also made four successive All-Ireland final appearances at this time, with victories in 1964, 1965 and 1966. He also claimed a National League medal in 1965 before ending his inter-county career with a fifth Connacht SFC medal in 1968.

Tierney's performances at inter-county level earned his selection to the Connacht team. He won two Railway Cup medals, including one as team captain in 1969. Tierney brought his inter-county career to an end at the age of 27, however, he continued to line out at club level. He won a Galway SFC medal in 1971.

Recognition

Tierney's performances for Galway earned him consecutive Cú Chulainn Awards in 1963 and 1964. He was also named Footballer of the Year in 1964. Tierney was inducted into the Galway Football Hall of Fame in 1993. He received the ultimate accolade in 1999 when he was selected in the full-back position on the Galway Football Team of the Millennium.

His achievements were acknowledged at a special event in 2024 marking 60 years since he won his first of three All Ireland medals. His home club of Milltown made a presentation to him in the company of family, friends and supporters.

Death

Tierney died after a period of ill health on 10 November 2024, at the age of 82.

Honours

Milltown Galway Senior Football Championship: 1971 Galway Junior Football Championship: 1961 Galway North Board Minor Football Championship: 1960 (c)

Galway All-Ireland Senior Football Championship: 1964, 1965, 1966 Connacht Senior Football Championship: 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968 National Football League: 1964–65 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship: 1960 Connacht Minor Football Championship: 1959, 1960

Connacht Railway Cup: 1967, 1969 (c)

Individual Galway Football Team of the Millennium: 1999 Caltex Footballer of the Year: 1964 Galway Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 1993 Cú Chulainn Award: 1963, 1964