John Coleman

John Coleman (born 1951) is an Irish retired Gaelic footballer.

He later attended Rockwell College, however, here he favoured rugby union, winning a Munster medal in 1967.

Coleman first appeared for the Millstreet club at underage levels, winning a host of divisional minor championship medals.

Coleman made his debut on the inter-county scene when he was selected on the Cork minor team in 1968.

He enjoyed two championship seasons with the minors and collected back-to-back All-Ireland medals.

Coleman was just sixteen-years-old when he was selected for the Cork minor team in 1968.

He scored 2-2 from centre-forward when he made his debut against Waterford on 5 July 1968.

Coleman later won his first Munster medal following a 2-13 to 0-2 trouncing of Kerry in the provincial decider.

Cork subsequently qualified for the All-Ireland final against Sligo on 22 September 1968.

Coleman missed two guilt-edged goal opportunities, however, Cork built up an impressive eleven-point lead.

Sligo launched a stunning comeback in the final twenty minutes and were unlucky not to claim a draw.

The 3-5 to 1-10 victory gave Coleman his first All-Ireland medal.

Once again eligible for the minor grade in 1969, Coleman was moved to midfield for the championship campaign.

He won a second successive Munster medal that year as Kerry were bested by 3-11 to 0-12.

On 28 September 1969 Cork faced Derry in the All-Ireland final.

Trailing by 0-8 to 0-3 shortly after the interval, Cork staged a comeback courtesy of two goals by Declan Barron.

The 2-7 to 0-11 scoreline secured a third successive championship for Cork and a second winners' medal for Coleman.

Coleman was also a member of the Cork under-21 football panel in 1969.

He was an unused substitute that year, however, he collected a Munster medal from the bench as Cork defeated Kerry by 1-14 to 1-11.

His league and championship career with the Cork senior team spanned nine seasons from 1970 to 1979.

Born in Millstreet, County Cork, Coleman first played competitive Gaelic football during his tenure at Millstreet National School.

Coleman subsequently joined the Cork under-21 team, winning back-to-back All-Ireland medals in 1970 and 1971.

By this stage he had also joined the Cork senior team, making his debut during the 1970-71 league.

In 1970 Coleman joined the Cork under-21 starting team and was positioned at left wing-forward.

He won a second Munster medal that year as Cork outclassed Clare by 5-12 to 1-7 in the Munster final.

On 4 October 1970 Cork faced Fermamagh in the All-Ireland final.

Cork built up a strong 1-7 to 0-3 half-time lead and eventually secured a 2-11 to 0-9 victory.

Coleman collected his first All-Ireland medal in the grade, in what was Cork's inaugural under-21 championship title.

Cork dominated in the under-21 grade once again in 1971, with Coleman moving to the centre-back position.

He won a third successive Munster medal that year as Cork defeated Waterford by 1-10 to 2-5 in the provincial decider.

On 19 September 1971 Cork renewed their rivalry with Fermanagh in the All-Ireland final.

Declan Barron and Billy Cogan scored the goals which powered Cork to a 3-10 to 0-3 victory.

It was Coleman's second All-Ireland medal in the grade.

He also claimed a county under-21 championship medal in 1972.

Following the abolition of the ban in 1972, Coleman combined his Gaelic football career with one in rugby union.

He represented Munster on a number of occasions, while he also played with the Ireland B team.

His older brother Billy Coleman was a former rally driver.

Over the course of the next nine seasons, Coleman won one All-Ireland in 1973..

He also won three Munster medals.

Coleman played his last game for Cork in July 1979.