Johnny Dooley

His father's uncle, Tom Dooley, as well as his mother's father and uncle had all played with Offaly in the junior All-Ireland finals in 1929 and 1923 respectively.

Similarly, for almost two decades Johnny and his brothers Billy and Joe formed the backbone of the Offaly senior hurling team.

Johnny Dooley (born 7 October 1971 in Clareen, County Offaly) is an Irish former hurling manager and player.

Johnny Dooley was born just outside Clareen, County Offaly in 1971.

He was born into a family that was steeped in hurling history.

By the late 1980s Dooley had earned a call-up to the Offaly minor hurling team.

In 1987 he captured a Leinster title in that grade following a victory over Kilkenny.

Offaly later played Tipperary in the All-Ireland final.

After an exciting hour of hurling Offaly emerged victorious by 2–8 to 0–12, giving Dooley a minor All-Ireland winners' medal.

It was Offaly's first-ever minor title.

He enjoyed some success at underage levels before winning four senior county championship titles in 1988, 1995, 1996 and 1998.

Offaly lost their provincial crown in 1988, however, the following year Dooley captured a second Leinster title following a trouncing of Kilkenny in a provincial final replay.

Offaly later lined out against Clare in the All-Ireland final.

After an exciting game Offaly were the winners by 2–16 to 1–12, giving Dooley a second All-Ireland medal in the minor grade.

That same year Dooley was also a key member of the Offaly under-21 team.

He won a Leinster title in that grade following a 3–16 to 3–9 win over Kilkenny.

The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Offaly take on Tipperary.

A high-scoring game saw Dooley's side being defeated by 4–10 to 3–11.

Two years later Dooley added a second Leinster winners' medal to his collection that year before later playing in a second All-Ireland under-21 final.

Galway provided the opposition on that occasion, however, Dooley's side were completely outclassed again as the men from the West won by 2–17 to 1–9.

The following year Dooley added a third Leinster under-21 winners' medal to his collection that year before later lining out in the All-Ireland final.

Waterford provided the opposition on that occasion, however, both sides finished level.

The replay saw Waterford win the game by 0–12 to 2–3, leaving Dooley with a third All-Ireland under-21 runners-up medal.

By this stage Dooley was also a member of the Offaly senior hurling team.

He made his senior debut in the 1990–1991 National Hurling League, with Offaly reaching the final of that competition.

Wexford were the opponents on that occasion, however, after a tense game Offaly took the victory and Dooley captured a National League winners' medal.

He made his championship debut against Dublin later that summer, however, provincial success was slow in coming.

He played hurling with his local club Clareen GAA and was a member of the Offaly senior inter-county team from 1991 until 2002.

After a few years out of the limelight Offaly bounced back in 1994.

That year Dooley added a Leinster senior winners' medal to his collection following a 1–18 to 0–14 victory over Wexford.

After defeating Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final, Dooley later lined out against Limerick in the All-Ireland final.

With five minutes left in the game Limerick were five points ahead and were coasting to victory.

It was then that one of the most explosive All-Ireland final finishes of all-time took place.

Offaly were awarded a close-in free which Johnny Dooley stepped up to take.

Dooley was told by the management team to take a point; however, he lashed the ball into the Limerick net to reduce the deficit.

Following the puck-out Offaly worked the ball upfield and Pat O'Connor struck for a second goal.

The Offaly forwards scored another five unanswered points in the time remaining to secure a 3–16 to 2–13 victory.

Dooley served as manager of the Westmeath senior inter-county team from 2007 until 2008.

On 10 January 2007 Dooley, along with his two brothers Billy and Joe, was profiled on the TG4 television programme Laochra Gael.

Dooley, along with his four brothers, played club hurling with his local Seir Kieran club.