Desmond Dillon (1926 – 24 November 1964) was an Irish hurler and handballer who played as a centre-forward for the Offaly, Dublin and Clare senior teams.[1]

Des Dillon
Personal information
Irish name Deasún Diolún
Sport Hurling
Position Centre-forward
Born 1926
Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland
Died 24 November 1964 (aged 38)
Booterstown, County Dublin, Ireland
Nickname The brown doctor
Occupation Doctor
Club(s)
Years Club
Birr
UCD
Club titles
Offaly titles 2
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
1946–1947
1948–1951
1954–1955
Offaly
Dublin
Clare
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 0
Leinster titles 0
All-Irelands 0
NHL 0

Born in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Dillon first played competitive hurling during his schooling at the Cistercian College, Roscrea. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty when he first linked up with the Offaly senior team, before later lining out with the Dublin and Clare sides. He made his senior debut in the 1946 championship. Dillon went on to enjoy a sporadic career over the next decade, and won one Oireachtas medal. He was an All-Ireland runner-up as a non-playing substitute on one occasion.[citation needed]

Dillon represented the Combined Universities, Munster and Leinster inter-provincial teams at various times, winning one Railway Cup medal in 1955. At club level he won two championship medals with Birr before later winning a third championship medal with University College Dublin.[citation needed]

With University College Dublin Dillon also won four Fitzgibbon Cup medals.[2]

His retirement came following the conclusion of the 1955 Oireachtas Championship.[citation needed]

Dillon also earned renown as a handballer, winning Munster medals and representing Ireland at the World Handball Championships.[citation needed]

Honours

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Player

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Birr
University College Dublin
Dublin
Clare
Munster

References

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  1. ^ "Dr. Des Dillon: all-round athlete". The power of faith website. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
  2. ^ "Irish Daily Mail Fitzgibbon Team of the Century Shortlist". GAA website. 10 January 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2014.