Phil Bennis

Philip Bennis (born 1942) is an Irish hurling manager and former player. At club level, he played with Patrickswell and at inter-county level with the Limerick senior hurling team. Bennis later served as a manager at club and inter-county levels.

Playing career

Bennis first played hurling and Gaelic football at juvenile and underage level with Patrickwell. His first county success was a Limerick JAFC in 1964, before claiming a second title in 1970. By that stage, Bennis had his first hurling success after captaining Patrickswell to consecutive Limerick SHC titles in 1965 and 1966. He won six SHC titles in total, with further victories in 1969, 1970, 1977, 1979.

At inter-county level, Bennis first played for the Limerick senior hurling team in 1964. He later served as team captain on three separate occasions. Bennis was part of the Limerick team that beat Tipperary by a point to win the National Hurling League title in 1971. He later won consecutive Munster SHC medals and was at right wing-back for Limerick's 1-21 to 1-14 win over Kilkenny in the 1973 All-Ireland final.

Managerial career

Bennis has been involved in the majority of Patrickswell's Limerick SHC title victories, either as a player or manager or both. He guided the club to nine such triumphs between 1982 and 1997. Bennis's other club honours as manager include two Munster Club SHC title, while he also managed the team when losing to Glenmore in the 1991 All-Ireland club final.

At inter-county level, Bennis managed the Limerick minor team that beat Kilkenny to win the All-Ireland MHC title in 1984. He progressed to manage the under-21 team and won consecutive Munster U21HC titles, before steering Limerick to the All-Ireland U21HC title after a 2-15 to 3-06 win over Galway in the 1987 final. As manager of Limerick's senior team on several occasions, he won a National Hurling League title in 1992.

Honours Player

Patrickswell Limerick Senior Hurling Championship: 1965, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1977, 1979 Limerick Junior A Football Championship: 1964, 1970

Limerick All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: 1973 Munster Senior Hurling Championship: 1973, 1974 National Hurling League: 1970–71

Management

Feenagh–Kilmeedy West Limerick Junior A Hurling Championship: 1987

Patrickswell Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship: 1988, 1990 Limerick Senior Hurling Championship: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997

Limerick National Hurling League: 1991–92 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship: 1987 Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship: 1986, 1987 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship: 1984 Munster Minor Hurling Championship: 1984