Jim Treacy

James Treacy (born 1943) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a left corner-back for the Kilkenny senior team.

Born in Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny, Treacy first arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty when he first linked up with the Kilkenny senior team.

It was the first meeting of these two great sides since 1947 and 'the Cats' were installed as the firm favourites.

In spite of this two goals by Colm Sheehan and a third from John O'Halloran gave Cork a merited 3–9 to 1–10 victory over an Eddie Keher-inspired Kilkenny.

Tipperary's fourteen-point winning margin, 5–13 to 2–8, was the biggest All-Ireland final win since Tipperary had overwhelmed Laois in the 1949 decider.

Treacy first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Kilkenny senior hurling team in the early 1960s.

He joined the team during the 1963 championship.

Treacy went on to play a key role over the next decade, winning four All-Ireland medals, eight Leinster medals and one National Hurling League medal.

He was a non-playing substitute when 'the Cats' won both the Leinster and All-Ireland titles in 1963.

In 1964 Bennettsbridge qualified for the final of the county senior championship with Treacy lining out in defence.

Glenmore provided the opposition, however, they proved no match for 'the bridge'.

A 4–9 to 1–4 victory gave Treacy his first county championship title.

In 1964 Treacy became a full member of the Kilkenny team at corner-back.

That year he won his first Leinster title on the field of play following a huge win over Dublin.

Staunch local rivals Tipperary later provided the opposition in the All-Ireland final, however, Kilkenny were the pundits' favourites to retain the title.

Jimmy Doyle had other ideas, however, as he scored ten points and set up Seán McLoughlin for a goal.

Kilkenny lost their provincial crown in 1965, however, Kilkenny bounced back in 1966 with Treacy collecting his first National Hurling League medal and a second Leinster title.

This victory allowed Kilkenny to advance directly to the All-Ireland final where arch-rivals Cork provided the opposition.

Treacy's side surrendered their championship crown to Mooncoin the following year, however, both sides met in the county final again in 1966.

Bennettsbridge had the upper-hand for the game and won by 4–8 to 2–4.

It was Treacy's second county title.

He captained the team to the All-Ireland title in 1967.

At club level Treacy is a five-time championship medallist with Bennettsbridge.

His brother, Martin Treacy, also enjoyed All-Ireland success with Kilkenny.

Throughout his career Treacy made 30 championship appearances.

Bennettsbridge continued their dominance of the club championship again in 1967.

Thomastown stood in the way of a second successive championship title, however, Bennettsbridge powered to a 3–10 to 1–4 win and a third championship title for Treacy in four years.

In 1967 Treacy was appointed captain of the Kilkenny team.

It was another successful year as the team continued their provincial dominance with Treacy picking up a third Leinster title before lining out in a third All-Ireland final at Croke Park.

Tipperary were Kilkenny's opponents on the day, however, by this stage Tipp's pool of players was ageing and the county's hurling fortunes were in decline.

Kilkenny proved more than a match for the Munster champions.

Treacy's side had the chance to make it three-in-a-row in 1968.

After reaching the championship decider an Eddie Keher-inspired Rower-Inistioge side provided the opposition.

A close game developed, however, Treacy's side were defeated by 3–9 to 3–7.

After a number of years out of the limelight, Bennettsbridge returned to the championship decider again in 1971.

The Fenians club from Johnstown were the opponents, however, 'the bridge' secured the title by 3–10 to 1–7.

It was Treacy's fourth and final championship winners' medal.

Both sides did battle in the county finals of 1972 and 1974, however, Bennettsbridge were now in decline and lost both games to the dominant side of the seventies.

He retired from inter-county following the conclusion of the 1975 championship.

Treacy played hurling with his local club in Bennettsbridge and enjoyed much success during a golden age for the club.