Nicky English

Nicholas J. "Nicky" English (born 20 October 1962) is an Irish former hurler who played as a full-forward at senior level for the Tipperary county team.

Born in Cullen, County Tipperary, English first played competitive Gaelic games during his schooling at the Abbey CBS.

He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Tipperary minor teams as a dual player, before later joining the under-21 sides.

English was born in the village of Cullen, County Tipperary in 1962.

He attended Galbally national school, before later completing his secondary schooling at The Abbey School in Tipperary town.

After beginning a degree in electrical engineering in 1980, English switched courses and started a Bachelor of Arts in 1981 before later completing his higher diploma in education.

During his studies at University College Cork English played competitive hurling, and in 1981 was a forward as UCC faced University College Dublin in the final of the inter-varsities championship.

A 2–9 to 0–8 victory gave English his first Fitzgibbon Cup medal.

He made his senior debut during the 1982 championship.

English went on to play a key part for almost fifteen years, and won two All-Ireland medals, five Munster medals and two National Hurling League medals.

He was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

As a member of the Munster inter-provincial team at various times throughout his career, English won two Railway Cup medals.

At club level he won a set of intermediate and junior championship medals with Lattin-Cullen.

English also won a remarkable five successive Fitzgibbon Cup medals with University College Cork.

English's career tally of 20 goals and 117 points marks him out as Tipperary's third highest championship scorer of all-time.

Throughout his career English made 35 championship appearances.

In 1982 University College Cork hosted the championship and reached the final once again.

A narrow 0–14 to 3–3 defeat of University College Galway allowed UCC retain the title and give English, who finished as the season's top scorer, a second Fitzgibbon Cup medal.

English added a third successive Fitzgibbon Cup medal to his collection in 1983, as UCC secured the three-in-a-row following a 3–12 to 1–3 of University College Galway once again.

UCC's great run of success continued in 1984.

A narrow 0–7 to 0–5 defeat of fierce rivals University College Dublin gave English a fourth successive Fitzgibbon Cup medal.

In 1985 English was appointed captain of the team as UCC sought a record-equaling fifth successive championship.

A 1–15 to 1–7 defeat of University College Galway gave English a remarkable fifth successive Fitzgibbon Cup medal, in what was his last game in the competition.

He remains one of the few players to have never lost a Fitzgibbon Cup game.

During his playing days he won six All-Star awards as well as the Texaco Hurler of the Year award in 1989.

He has been repeatedly voted onto teams made up of the sport's greats, including at left corner-forward and right corner-forward on the respective Tipperary and Fitzgibbon Cup Hurling Teams of the Century.

In 1989 English began working for Allied Irish Bank, while in 2011 he began working with Barclays Wealth.

In 1989 English enjoyed his first success with the Lattin–Cullen club.

A victory in the intermediate football final gave him his first championship medal.

Three years later in 1992 English was captain of the Lattin–Cullen junior team.

He announced his retirement from inter-county hurling following the conclusion of the 1996 championship.

In retirement from playing English has become involved in team management and coaching.

In 1996 he published his autobiography Beyond The Tunnel.

The book was ghost written by Vincent Hogan of the Irish Independent.

As manager of the Tipperary senior team between 1998 and 2002 he steered the team to All-Ireland, Munster and National League honours.

He has also taken charge of the University College Dublin team for the Fitzgibbon Cup.

As a hurling analyst in the media English writes a weekly column in The Irish Times, while he has also worked as a co-commentator with TV3 and RTÉ Radio 1 during their championship coverage.

In 2009 he was chosen on a special Munster team of the quarter century, while he was also included as one of the 125 greatest hurlers of all-time.

In May 2014 it was announced that English would be an analyst and co-commentator for Sky Sports new Gaelic games coverage.

English is widely regarded as one of Tipperary's greatest ever players.