Gerard "Ger" Houlahan is an Irish former Gaelic footballer who played at senior level for the Armagh county team from 1984 to 2000. He won two Ulster Senior Football Championship medals with the county and also won an All Star award.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Gearóid Ó hUallacháin | ||
| Sport | Gaelic football | ||
| Position | Full Forward | ||
| Born |
Armagh, Northern Ireland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
| Nickname | Houlie[1] | ||
| Occupation | Sports Massage Therapist | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
198?-200? | Pearse Óg | ||
| Club titles | |||
| Armagh titles | 3 | ||
| Inter-county(ies)* | |||
| Years | County | Apps (scores) | |
1984-2000 | Armagh | ? (13-43)[2] | |
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Ulster titles | 2 | ||
| All Stars | 1 | ||
|
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 17:54, 7 April 2009 (UTC) Championship games only.. | |||
Houlahan played club football for Pearse Óg and won the Armagh Senior Football Championship on ? occasions with the club.
He was a very prolific forward, particularly renowned for his goal-scoring ability.[3] Houlahan was also a crowd favourite with the Armagh fans.[3] He is known as one of Armagh's best ever players.[3] In 2009 to mark the 125th anniversary of the Gaelic Athletic Association he was named by The Irish News as one of the all-time best 125 footballers from Ulster.[2]
Playing career
editInter-county
editHoulahan made his Championship debut for Armagh in 1984.[4] That year he helped Armagh reach the Ulster Senior Football Championship final, but they were beaten[2] by Tyrone. He also suffered Ulster final defeats with the county in 1987 and 1990.[2] Houlahan was awarded an All Star for his performances in the 1993 Championship[2] and was also named best player of that year's Ulster Championship.[5]
Houlahan finally won an Ulster Championship medal in 1999 - making a substitute appearance in the decider against Down.[2] He won a second Ulster title the following year.[6] The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kerry proved to be Houlahan's last appearance in an Armagh jersey.[4] He announced his retirement in January 2001, aged 34.[4] Houlahan has since settled down with his wife, Deirdre and his three children, Caleigh (the oldest), Odhran and the Kyran.
Club
editHoulahan had a successful underage career with Pearse Óg.[1] In 1985 he helped the club win their first ever Armagh Senior Football Championship, beating local rivals Armagh Harps in the final.[1] He won further Armagh Championships with the club in 1988 and 1992.[citation needed] He also reached the 1988 Ulster Club Championship final with the club, where they were defeated by Burren.[2]
Province
editHoulahan won two Railway Cup medals with Ulster.[2]
School / college
editHoulahan playing centre half forward helped University of Ulster Jordanstown (UUJ) win the 1986 Sigerson Cup,[2] and was named Player of the Tournament.[5]
Post-playing career
editIn late 2001 Houlahan was called in to help the Ulster rugby team with their handling skills.[7] He had also previously helped Ulster fly-half David Humphreys with his kicking.[7]
Houlahan managed Loughmacrory GFC for a season having much success.[citation needed]
He was appointed Armagh minor manager in late 2002 alongside James Byrne and Alan O'Neill.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Club history". Pearse Óg website. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ulster's 125 - The province's 125 best footballers since 1884". The Irish News. 20 March 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
- ^ a b c "Ulster's 125 - Armagh shortlist". The Irish News. 10 February 2009. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
- ^ a b c "Houlahan announces retirement". BBC Sport Online. 25 January 2001. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
- ^ a b "Brief history - Hall of fame". UUJ GAA website. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
- ^ a b Heaney, Paddy (21 December 2002). "Houlahan takes reins of Orchard minors". The Irish News. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2009.
- ^ a b "Houlahan handles Ulster's worries". BBC Sport Online. 3 October 2001. Retrieved 7 April 2009.