Liam Dunne

Liam Dunne (born 12 June 1968) is an Irish former hurler who played as a centre-back at senior level for the Wexford county team.

Born in Oulart, County Wexford, Dunne first played competitive hurling during his schooling at Oulart National School.

He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Wexford minor team before later joining the under-21 side.

Dunne first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Wexford minor hurling team in 1985.

He was a substitute that year as Wexford defeated Kilkenny by four points to take the Leinster crown.

He was also a non-playing substitute as Wexford were later defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland decider.

Dunne's performance in the Leinster final defeat by Offaly the following year earned a call-up to the Wexford under-21 hurling team.

Wexford later claimed the Leinster title before being defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland final.

After making his debut for the senior team in 1986, Dunne was a key member of the team when Oulart lost the championship deciders of 1989 and 1992.

In 1987 Dunne won a second Leinster under-21 medal, his first on the field of play.

He made his senior debut during the 1988 championship.

Dunne immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen and won one All-Ireland medal and two Leinster medals.

As a member of the Leinster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions Dunne won one Railway Cup medal.

At club level he was a six-time championship medallist with Oulart–The Ballagh.

Throughout his career Dunne made 39 championship appearances for Wexford.

Dunne made his senior debut for Wexford in the Oireachtas Tournament in 1988.

Later that year he made his championship debut at midfield in a provincial quarter-final victory over Laois.

Dunne became a regular member of the starting fifteen the following season.

In spite of making an early exit from the provincial campaign in 1990, Dunne's performance earned him his first All-Star award.

In 1994 Oulart the Ballagh were back in the championship showpiece.

St. Martin's provided the opposition on that occasion, however, a narrow 1–14 to 0–16 victory gave Dunne his first county club championship medal.

Oulart made it two in-a-row in 1995 following a six-point defeat of Glynn-Barntown, giving Dunne a second championship medal.

Three-in-a-row proved beyond Oulart the Ballagh, however, the team were back in the championship decider again in 1997.

A 2–11 to 0–14 defeat of Glynn-Barntown secured a third championship medal for Dunne in four seasons.

After losing a third county final in 2000, Dunne's side returned to the championship decider again in 2004.

A 1–17 to 1–10 score line ended a seven-year barren spell, denied Rathnure a third successive championship and gave Dunne a fourth championship medal.

He has been repeatedly voted onto teams made up of the sport's greats, including at centre-back on a special all-time Wexford team in 2002 and on the Leinster team of the quarter century in 2009.

He retired from inter-county hurling following the conclusion of the 2003 championship.

In retirement from playing Dunne became involved in team management and coaching.

Dunne won a fifth county championship medal in 2005 as Oulart the Ballagh retained their title after a 1–15 to 1–9 defeat of St. Martin's.

Oulart–The Ballagh were beaten by Rathnure in their bid for three-in-a-row in 2006 following a draw and a replay.

In 2007 Oulart qualified for a fourth successive county final.

Buffer's Alley were the opponents, however, they provided little opposition.

A huge 4–14 to 2–6 victory gave Oulart the title and gave Dunne a sixth championship medal.

Following Oulart–The Ballagh's championship decider defeat by St. Martin's in 2008, Dunne retired from club hurling.

Dunne was also chosen as one of the 125 greatest hurlers of all-time in a 2009 poll.

Dunne played his club hurling with Oulart–The Ballagh and enjoyed much success during a golden age for the club.

After taking charge of the Wexford minor team and the Oulart-the Ballagh senior team, he was appointed manager of the Wexford senior hurling team in 2011.

Dunne is widely regarded as one of Wexford's greatest hurlers of all time.

During his playing days he won three All-Star awards.