Phil Larkin

Philip Francis "Fan" Larkin (born 5 October 1941) is an Irish former hurler who played as a right corner-back at senior level for the Kilkenny county team.

Born in Kilkenny, Larkin first played competitive hurling during his schooling at Kilkenny City Vocational School.

He arrive don the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Kilkenny minor team.

He made his senior debut during the 1962–63 league.

Larkin went on to enjoy a lengthy career with the team, winning five All-Ireland medals, nine Leinster medals and one National Hurling League medal.

He was an All-Ireland runner-up on three occasions.

As a member of the Leinster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, Larkin won five Railway Cup medals.

At club level he is a two-time All-Ireland medallist with James Stephens.

In addition to this he also won two Leinster medals and a grand total of seven championship medals as a dual player.

His father, Paddy, and his son, Philly, also enjoyed multiple All-Ireland successes with Kilkenny.

Throughout his career Larkin made 35 championship appearances.

Larkin first tasted club success as a Gaelic footballer with Clann na Gael in 1962.

Having lost the original fixture a replay was ordered following a Clann na Gael objection.

A 2–7 to 2–3 defeat of St Senan's gave Larkin a junior championship medal.

After making the step up to the senior ranks in 1963, Clann na Gael continued their winning ways.

A 1–6 to 0–2 defeat of Lamogue gave Larkin a first senior football championship medal.

In 1964 Clann na Gael and Lamogue faced each other in the championship decider once again.

In a much closer affair both sides finished level.

Clann na Gael went on to win the replay by 3–3 to 0–4, giving Larkin a second championship medal.

In 1969 Larkin was in the last line of defence as James Stephens qualified for the senior hurling championship decider for the first time in over thirty years.

Fenians provided the opposition, however, the game was delayed until 19 April 1970.

Three goals and two points in a devastating opening five minutes paved the way for a comfortable 5–2 to 1–4 half-time lead.

James Stephens completed their rout of the Fenians in the second half and recorded an 8–5 to 2–7 victory.

It was Larkin's first championship medal.

Defeat at the hands of the Fenians followed for Larkin's side in 1970 and 1973, however, James Stephens made another breakthrough in 1975.

A 1–14 to 1–5 defeat of first-time finalists Galmoy gave Larkin a second championship medal.

James Stephens subsequently qualified for the provincial decider, with Offaly champions St. Rynagh's providing the opposition.

James Stephens took the lead from the third minute, with Liam "Chunky" O'Brien being scorer-in-chief.

A 1–14 to 2–4 victory gave Larkin his first Leinster medal.

Two-time champions and hot favourites Blackrock provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland decider.

"The Rockies" got off to the better start, with two goals by Éamonn O'Donoghue and Pat Moylan giving them a 2–1 lead at the quarter mark.

James Stephens trailed at the interval but were transformed in the second half.

A 2–10 to 2–4 victory gave Larkin his first All-Ireland medal.

Larkin collected a third championship medal in 1976 as Rower-Inistioge were accounted for by 2–14 to 0–13.

It was a successful year for the James Stephens senior football team also.

He retired from inter-county hurling prior to the start of the 1980 championship.

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

As well as a brief spell as manager of the Kilkenny senior team, he also served as an inter-county and club selector.

During his playing days, Larkin won four All-Star awards, while he was also chosen on a special supreme All-Star team.

Larkin was named at right corner-back on the Kilkenny Hurling Team of the Century, while he was also chosen as one of the 125 greatest hurlers of all-time in a 2009 poll.