Seán McGuinness (hurling manager)

John Joseph McGuinness (1945 – 30 August 2021), known as Seán McGuinness, was a hurling manager. A member of the Patrick Sarsfields club, he had a lengthy career as a manager at club and inter-county levels.[1]

Seán McGuinness
Personal information
SportHurling
Born1945
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died30 August 2021 (aged 76)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
OccupationEngineering instructor
Club management
Years Club
Patrick Sarsfields
Bredagh
Inter-county management
Years Team
1983–1986
1989–1995
1997–1998		 Antrim
Down
Antrim
Inter-county titles
County League Province All-Ireland
Antrim
Down		 0
0		 1
2		 0
0

Managerial career

McGuinness first became involved in team management as a selector with the Patrick Sarsfields that won the 1974 Antrim County Championship. He subsequently took over as manager at the club, and guided the team to a league title in 1976.

At inter-county level, McGuinness was first nominated as a selector with the Antrim senior hurling team in 1983, and ended up taking over as manager. His fours seasons in charge saw Antrim beaten in four consecutive All-Ireland semi-finals, however, his team came close to causing an upset against Cork in 1986.[2] After resigning on a point of principle, McGuinness was back in inter-county management with the Down senior hurling team. His six seasons in charge saw Down win two Ulster Championship titles and gain promotion to Division 1 of the National Hurling League.[3] McGuinness simultaneously took charge of the Ulster team that contested three Railway Cup finals in four years. He returned to the Antrim senior team for one season in 1998, ending the year with the Ulster Championship title.

Personal life and death

Born in West Belfast, McGuinness was educated at Hardinge Street Junior Technical School, before leaving school at 15. He trained as a sheet metalworker and later worked at St Patrick's Training School as an engineering instructor.[4]

McGuinness died after a brief illness on 30 August 2021, aged 76.[5][6]

Honours
Patrick Sarsfields
Antrim
Down

References
  1. Mohan, David (9 January 2012). "Sean brings the curtain down on 30-year GAA management career". Belfast Media. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  2. Tierney, Paddy (30 August 2021). "Gaels mourn the passing of iconic figure Sean McGuinness". Belfast Media. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  3. Breheny, Martin (3 November 2012). "That was then..." Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  4. Archer, Kenny (2 January 2021). "Sean McGuinness: straight down the line". The Irish News. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  5. "Ulster hurling stalwart Sean McGuinness passes away". Hogan Stand. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  6. Archer, Kenny (31 August 2021). "Sean McGuinness "an immense figure" in Down GAA: Sands". The Irish News. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
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