2002–03 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship

The 2002–03 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship was the 33rd staging of the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship, the Gaelic Athletic Association's premier inter-county club hurling tournament. The championship began on 20 October 2002 and ended on 17 March 2002.

All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship 2002–2003

Championship Details
Dates	20 October 2002 – 17 March 2003
Teams	28
All Ireland Champions
Winners	Birr (4th win)
Captain	Gary Hanniffy
Manager	Pat Joe Whelahan
All Ireland Runners-up
Runners-up	Dunloy
Captain	Gary O'Kane
Manager	Seán McLean
Provincial Champions
Munster	Mount Sion
Leinster	Birr
Ulster	Dunloy
Connacht	Athenry
Championship Statistics
Matches Played	28
Top Scorer	Eugene Cloonan (4-23)
← 2001–02 2003–04 →

Birr were the defending champions.

On 17 March 2003 Birr won the championship following a 1–19 to 0–11 defeat of Dunloy in the All-Ireland final. This was their fourth All-Ireland title and their second title in succession.

Athenry's Eugene Cloonan was the championship's top scorer with 4-23.

Pre-championship

The build-up to the opening of the championship was dominated by Birr and the possibility that they would retain their All-Ireland title and lead the all-time club roll of honour with four championships. Having secured their fourth successive county championship title, Birr were favourites to retain their provincial title for a second year-in-a-row. This would leave them only two wins away from hurling immortality.

Results

Connacht Senior Club Hurling Championship

Quarter-finals

St. Mary's Kiltoghert v Ballyhaunis

26 October 2002 Quarter-final	St. Mary's Kiltoghert	1-11 - 2-09	Ballyhaunis	Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Carrick
	C Cunniffe 1-7, J Goldrick 0-1, T Loughlin 0-1, D O'Grady 0-1, A O'Shea 0-1.		P Higgins 2-1, F Brown 0-5, K Higgins 0-3.

Tubbercurry v Four Roads

26 October 2002 Quarter-final	Tubbercurry	1-11 - 2-16	Four Roads	Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry
	P Seevers 0-6, J Burke 0-5, R Brennan 1-0.		P Glennon 1-3, M Cunniffe 0-6, T Kelly 1-2, D Lohan 0-5.

Semi-final

Four Roads v Ballyhaunis

3 November 2002 Semi-final	Four Roads	2-12 - 1-08	Ballyhaunis	Ballyforan
	J Mannion (1-5, 2f), B Mannion (1-2), T Kelly (0-2), T Lennon (0-1), L Gately (0-1), D Lohan (0-1).	Report	F Browne (0-5, all frees), K Higgins (1-0), J Powers (0-1, '65), D Walsh (0-1)	Referee: JJ Larkin (Galway)

Final

Four Roads v Athenry

17 November 2002 Final	Four Roads	0-09 - 1-19	Athenry	Ballyforan
	R Kennedy 0-3, T Lennon, R Mulry (1f) 0-2 each, L Gately, J Mannion (f) 0-1 each.	Report	E Cloonan 0-8 (7f), D Donoghue 1-2, D Moran 0-5, J Rabbitte, J Conway, S Donoghue, C Cloonan 0-1 each.	Referee: J Weldon (Westmeath)

Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship

First round

Pearse Óg v Kilmessan

20 October 2002 First round	Pearse Óg	0-05 - 0-08	Kilmessan	Dundalk
	S McDonagh (0-3, 2f), C Lavery (0-1), P Callan (0-1).	Report	N Horan (0-4, 1f); A O'Neill (0-2), P Reynolds (0-1), J McGuinness (0-1).	Referee: D O'Donovan (Dublin)

Wolfe Tones v Naas

20 October 2002 First round	Wolfe Tones	0-04 - 1-09	Naas	Pearse Park, Longford
	M Cassidy (0-2, f), S Browne(0-1, f), J Lynn (0-1).	Report	J Kinlin (1-1), D Scallen (0-4, fs), J Brennan (0-2); M Boran (0-1), R Coyle (0-1).	Referee: B Gavin (Offaly)

St. Mullin's v Lough Lene Gaels

20 October 2002 First round	St. Mullin's	1-09 - 1-06	Lough Lene Gaels	Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow
	Pat Coady (0-6), M Ryan (1-0), D Doyle (0-1), D Kavanagh (0-1), W Coady (0-1).	Report	M McNichoals (1-3), D Carty (0-2), J Gavigan (0-1).	Referee: A Stapleton (Laois)

Castletown v Carnew Emmets

20 October 2002 First round	Castletown	2-02 - 0-08	Carnew Emmets	O'Moore Park, Portlaoise
	P Cuddy 1-0, S Lyons 1-0, P Phelan 0-1, T Dooley 0-1.	Report	D Hyland 0-4, J Murphy 0-3, V Munroe 0-1.	Referee: J Kelly (Wexford)

Carnew Emmets v Castletown

26 October 2002 First round replay	Carnew Emmets	1-09 - 2-13	Castletown	Aughrim County Ground, Aughrim
	J Murphy 0-7, R Doyle 1-0, J Sinnott 0-1, G Doran 0-1.		P Phelan 2-1, S Lyons 0-6, P Cuddy 0-2, J Palmer 0-1, F O'Sullivan 0-1, C Cuddy 0-1, B Ferns 0-1.	Referee: D Murphy (Wexford)

Quarter-finals

Kilmessan v Young Irelands

3 November 2002 Quarter-final	Kilmessan	0-07 - 3-20	Young Irelands	Páirc Tailteann, Navan
	N Horan 0-4, M Reilly 0-2, S Clynch 0-1.	Report	DJ Carey 2-5, D Carter 1-4, C Carter 0-5, D Carroll 0-3, J Carey, O Carter, P Farrell 0-1 each.	Referee: J Sheridan (Kildare)

St. Mullin's v O'Tooles

3 November 2002 Quarter-final	St. Mullin's	3-10 - 3-07	O'Tooles	Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow
	D Doyle 2-1, Pat Coady 0-7 (0-6 frees), P Kehoe 1-1, Paddy Coady 0-1.	Report	P Pringle 2-1, B McLoughlin 1-1 (1-1 frees), K Flynn (0-1 free), D McLoughlin 0-2 each, K Ryan 0-1.	Referee: J Guinan (Kilkenny)

Castletown v Birr

3 November 2002 Quarter-final	Castletown	1-12 - 2-12	Birr	O'Moore Park, Portlaoise
	S Lyons 1-2 (0-2 fs); Pauric Cuddy 0-3; F O'Sullivan, C Cuddy, P Cuddy (fs) 0-2 each; D Cuddy 0-1.	Report	S Whelahan 0-6 (all fs); P Molloy, D Hayden 1-1 each; G Hanniffy, R Hanniffy, J Pilkington, B Whelahan 0-1 each.	Referee: A Mac Suibhne (Dublin)

Naas v Rathnure

3 November 2002 Quarter-final	Naas	0-08 - 1-13	Rathnure	Sallins Road, Naas
	D Scallan (0-6, all frees), A Dowling, R Coyle (0-1 each).	Report	P Codd (0-7, 6f), M Morrissey (0-3), B O'Leary (1-0), T Hogan (0-2), R Codd (0-1).	Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath)

Semi-finals

Birr v St. Mullin's

17 November 2002 Semi-final	Birr	4-21 – 0-08	St. Mullin's	O'Moore Park, Portlaoise
	S Browne, S Whelehan 1-3 each, P Molloy, R Hanniffey 1-1 each, D Pilkington, B Whelehan 0-3 each, P Carroll, J Pilkington 0-2 each, L Power, D Hayden, N Claffey 0-1 each.	Report	Pat Coady 0-6, D Doyle, A Ralph 0-1 each.	Referee: P Neary (Kilkenny)

Rathnure v Young Irelands

17 November 2002 Semi-final	Rathnure	0-10 – 0-12	Young Irelands	Wexford Park, Wexford
	P Codd 0-5 (0-2 frees, 0-1 sideline); T Hogan and B O'Leary 0-2 each; M Byrne and N Higgins 0-1 each.	Report	DJ Carey 2-4 (1-3 frees, 0-1 seventy); D Carter 1-1; D Carroll 0-3; C Carter 0-2; J Carey 0-1.	Referee: B Kelly (Westmeath)

Final

Birr v Young Irelands

1 December 2002 Final	Birr	2-05 - 1-02	Young Irelands	O'Moore Park, Portlaoise
	R Hanniffy 1-2, S Whelahan 1-2 (0-1 free), Barry Whelahan 0-1.	Report	D Carroll 1-0, C Carter 0-1, DJ Carey 0-1 (free).	Referee: D Murphy (Wexford)

Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship

Quarter-finals

Mount Sion v Adare

27 October 2002 Quarter-final	Mount Sion	2-13 – 1-13	Adare	Walsh Park, Waterford
	K McGrath (0-8), S Ryan (2-1), M White (0-2), E McGrath (0-1), E Kelly (0-1).	Report	M Foley (1-3), C Fitzgerald (0-6), D Sheehan (0-2), Tony Houlihan (0-1), J Foley (0-1).	Referee: G Harrington (Cork)

Blackrock v Kilmoyley

10 November 2002 Quarter-final	Blackrock	2-13 – 1-12	Kilmoyley	Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork
	B O’Keeffe 1-2; B Hennebry, A Coughlan (frees) 0-4 each; D Cashman 1-0; P Tierney 0-2; L Meaney 0-1.	Report	S Brick 1-10 (1-6 frees); C Walsh, P O’Sullivan 0-1 each.	Referee: W Moore (Waterford)

Semi-finals

Sixmilebridge v Blackrock

17 November 2002 Semi-final	Sixmilebridge	2-13 – 0-15	Blackrock	Cusack Park, Ennis
	N Gilligan 1-2 (0-1 free); J Chaplin 0-4 (0-2 frees, 0-2 65’s); C Crowe 1-1; M Culbert, C Chaplin, A Chaplin, S Fitzpatrick, P Fitzpatrick, A Mulready, 0-1 each.	Report	A Coughlan 0-5 (all frees); D Cashman 1-0; A Browne 0-3; B Hennebry 0-2; L Meaney 0-2; B O’Keeffe, J Young, P Tierney 0-1 each.	Referee: W Barrett (Tipperary)

Mount Sion v Mullinahone

17 November 2002 Semi-final	Mount Sion	2-12 – 0-15	Mullinahone	Walsh Park, Waterford
	E Kelly 2-1; K McGrath 0-9 (0-5 from frees; 0-1 from 65); M White 0-2.	Report	E Kelly 0-8 (0-6 from frees); P Croke 0-5 (0-3 from frees); B O'Meara and C Arrigan 0-1 each.	Referee: D Richardson (Limerick)

Final

Mount Sion v Sixmilebridge

1 December 2002 Final	Mount Sion	0-12 – 0-10	Sixmilebridge	Semple Stadium, Thurles
	K McGrath 0-9 (0-5 frees); M White 0-3.	Report	N Gilligan 0-5 (0-4 frees); C Chaplin 0-2; C Crowe, S Fitzpatrick and P Fitzpatrick 0-1 each.	Referee: W Barrett (Tipperary)

Ulster Senior Club Hurling Championship

Semi-finals

Portaferry v Keady Lámh Dhearg

20 October 2002 Semi-final	Portaferry	2-19 - 3-06	Keady Lámh Dhearg	Casement Park, Belfast
	P Braniff (0-11, 6fs); P Mallon (1-1), N Sands (1-1), G Adair (0-4); G McGrattan (0-2), J Conway (0-1).	Report	M King (2-0), G Enright (1-2, 1f), P McCormick (0-1), F Fullerton (0-1); B McCormick (0-1), C Hatzer (0-1).	Referee: T McIntyre (Antrim)

Dunloy v Lavey

20 October 2002 Semi-final	Dunloy	1-13 - 0-10	Lavey	Casement Park, Belfast
	G O'Kane (0-7, 5 fs), P Richmond (1-2), C McGuckian (0-2); L Richmond (0-1), D Quinn (0-1).	Report	O Collins (0-8, 6 fs), H Downey (0-1); P Hearty (0-1).	Referee: G Devlin (Armagh)

Final

Dunloy v Portaferry

26 October 2002 Final	Dunloy	0-12 – 1-06	Portaferry	Fr. Healy Park, Loughguile
	Greg O'Kane (0-7, fs), M Curry (0-2), L Richmond (0-1), A Elliott (0-1), P Richmond (0-1).	Report	P Braniff (0-4, fs); N Sands (1-0), E Trainor (0-1), B Braniff (0-1).

All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship

Quarter-final

Seán Treacy's v Athenry

24 November 2002 Quarter-final	Seán Treacy's	0-05 – 4-15	Athenry	Emerald GAA Grounds, Ruislip
	T Moloney (0-5).	Report	E Cloonan (4-10), J Rabbitte (0-2), S Donoghue (0-1), B Hanley (0-1); D Donoghue (0-1).	Referee: S McMahon (Clare)

Semi-finals

Dunloy v Mount Sion

16 February 2003 Semi-final	Dunloy	1-14 – 1-13	Mount Sion	Cusack Park, Mullingar
	A Elliott (0-5, 0-3 frees); P Richmond (1-1); C Cunning (0-2); G O’Kane (0-2); L Richmond, N Elliott, M Curry, C McGuckian (0-1) each.	Report	K McGrath (0-5, frees); M White (1-2); M Frisby (0-2); E McGrath, S Ryan E Kelly, J Meaney (0-1) each.	Referee: P Neary (Kilkenny)

Birr v Athenry

16 February 2003 Semi-final	Birr	0-15 – 0-06	Athenry	Cusack Park, Ennis
	S Whelahan 0-7 (0-6 frees); G Hanniffy 0-3; D Pilkington 0-2; B Whelahan 0-2 (65's); P Molloy 0-1.	Report	E Cloonan 0-5 (0-3 frees); D Moran 0-1.	Referee: S Roche (Tipperary)

Final

Birr v Dunloy

17 March 2003 Final	Birr	1-19 – 0-11	Dunloy	Croke Park, Dublin
	S Whelehan 0-8 (0-7 frees); D Pilkington 1-2; G Hanniffy, R Hanniffy, P Molloy, S Browne, 0-2 each; Brian Whelehan 0-1 (65).	Report	Greg O'Kane 0-5 (0-3 frees); A Elliott 0-3 (0-2 frees); P Richmond 0-2; M Curry 0-1.	Referee: S McMahon (Clare)

Main article: 2003 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final

Championship statistics

Scoring statistics

Overall

Rank	Player	Club	Tally	Total	Matches	Average
1	Eugene Cloonan	Athenry	4-23	35	3	10.66
2	Simon Whelehan	Birr	2-26	32	5	6.40
3	Ken McGrath	Mount Sion	0-31	31	4	7.75
4	D. J. Carey	Young Irelands	4-10	22	3	7.33
5	Gregory O'Kane	Dunloy	0-21	21	4	5.25
6	Pat Coady	St. Mullin's	0-19	19	3	6.33
7	Paul Braniff	Portaferry	0-15	15	2	7.50
8	Séamus Lyons	Castletown	2-08	14	3	4.66
9	Shane Brick	Kilmoyley	1-10	13	1	13.00
10	Rory Hanniffy	Birr	2-06	12	5	2.40
	Paul Codd	Rathnure	0-12	12	2	6.00

Single game

Rank	Player	Club	Tally	Total	Opposition
1	Eugene Cloonan	Athenry	4-10	22	Seán Treacy's
2	Shane Brick	Kilmoyley	1-10	13	Blackrock
3	D. J. Carey	Young Irelands	2-05	11	Kilmessan
	Paul Braniff	Portaferry	0-11	11	Keady Lámh Dhearg
4	D. J. Carey	Young Irelands	2-04	10	Rathnure
5	Ken McGrath	Mount Sion	0-09	9	Mullinahone
	Ken McGrath	Mount Sion	0-09	9	Sixmilebridge
6	Joe Mannion	Four Roads	1-05	8	Ballyhaunis
	Eugene Cloonan	Athenry	0-08	8	Four Roads
	Ken McGrath	Mount Sion	0-08	8	Adare
	Eoin Kelly	Mullinahone	0-08	8	Mount Sion
	Ollie Collins	Lavey	0-08	8	Dunloy
	Simon Whelehan	Birr	0-08	8	Dunloy

Miscellaneous

• St. Mullin's qualified for the Leinster semi-finals for only the second time in their history.
• Birr inscribed their names into the GAA's history books by becoming the first club to win four All-Ireland titles.