Tom Cashman

His father was a long-serving goalkeeper with Blackrock and was part of the Cork team that won three All-Ireland titles in-a-row in the 1950s.

Cashman' uncle, Jimmy Brohan, also lined out for the Blackrock club and at inter-county level with Cork, while two other uncles, Bobby and John Brohan, played soccer with Cork city-based clubs Evergreen United and Cork Hibernians respectively.

An aunt, Maureen Cashman, played camogie with Cork.

Tom Cashman (born 28 August 1957) is an Irish former hurler, coach and selector who played for Cork Senior Championship club Blackrock.

He played for the Cork senior hurling team for 12 years.

Equally comfortable as a half-back or at midfield, Cashman is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

Cashman began his hurling career at club level with Blackrock.

He was in goal when Blackrock beat Eoghan Ruadh to win the inaugural Féile na nGael tournament in 1971.

Cashman progressed through the various grades, eventually becoming an outfield player, and claimed a double of minor titles when Blackrock and St. Michael's beat St. Brogan's in the respective minor finals.

He broke onto the club's top adult team as a 16-year-old in 1974 and enjoyed his greatest success at midfield on the All-Ireland Club Championship-winning team in 1979.

At inter-county level, Cashman was part of the successful Cork minor teams that won dual All-Ireland Championships in 1974 before later winning an All-Ireland Championship with the under-21 team in 1976.

By that stage Cashman had already joined the club's senior team after making his debut as a 16-year-old in May 1974.

He lined out in all four championship games that year, including the final when Blackrock were beaten by St. Finbarr's.

Cashman was again a regular championship starter the following year and was at right wing-forward for the victory over Glen Rovers in the 1975 final.

He joined the Cork senior team in 1976.

He later won consecutive Cork U21HC titles in 1976 and 1977, while also claiming another underage double when St. Michael's also claimed the Cork U21FC title in 1976.

He overcame a long-term leg injury to line out in Blackrock's successful Munster Club Championship campaign before losing the 1976 All-Ireland club final to James Stephens.

Cashman was also a member of the St. Michael's football team that lost three consecutive Cork SFC finals in 1976, 1977 and 1978.

After losing the 1976 final to Glen Rovers, Cashman collected a second winners' medal when Blackrock overcame the Glen in 1978.

During that time he was part of four All-Ireland Championship-winning teams – in 1977, 1978, 1984 and as captain in 1986.

Cashman also secured eight Munster Championship medals and two National Hurling League medals.

Cashman won his first All-Star in 1977, before claiming a further two All-Stars in 1978, 1983.

He was later selected on the Cork Hurling Teams of the Century and Millennium.

At inter-provincial level, Cashman was selected to play in seven championship campaigns with Munster, with Railway Cup titles being secured in 1978, 1981 and 1985.

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

He was an All-Ireland-winning coach and selector with Cork in both the minor and senior grades.

He briefly served as manager of the Cork senior hurling team.

Born and raised in Blackrock, Cashman is the son of Mick Cashman and the former Anne Brohan.

He ended the season with an All-Ireland Club Championship title after Blackrock beat Ballyhale Shamrocks in the 1979 All-Ireland club final.

Blackrock retained the Cork SHC title after a win over St. Finbarr's in the 1979 final, with Cashman claiming his third winners' medal.

Cashman's brother, Jim, was a contemporary with Blackrock and Cork in the 1980s.

His nephews, John and Niall Cashman and Alan Connolly, have also all lined out for Blackrock and Cork.

Cashman first played hurling as a schoolboy at the North Monastery.

He was just 14-years-old when he joined the senior team as goalkeeper, and he lined out in several Harty Cup campaigns without success.

Cashman began his club career as a hurler at juvenile and underage levels with the Blackrock club, while he also lined out as a Gaelic footballer with sister club St. Michael's.

After losing the 1982 final to St. Finbarr's, he won his fourth and final Cork SHC title after a win over Midleton in 1985.

From his debut, Cashman was ever-present either at midfield or in the half-back line and made 36 Championship appearances in a career that ended with his last game in 1988.

He announced his retirement from inter-county hurling in January 1989.

Cashman's club career ended in 1990, by which time he had also won three Munster Club Championship titles and four Cork Senior Championship titles.

Cashman brought an end to his club career when he announced his retirement on 15 May 1991.