Tom Cashman

Cashman played his club hurling with the famous Blackrock club in Cork and enjoyed much success. He tasted his first major success at an early age in 1971 when he won a Féile na nGael county title with 'the Rockies'. This was an inter-county hurling competition for players under the age of fifteen. Blackrock later represented Cork in the All-Ireland series and defeated the representatives of Kilkenny, Tipperary and Dublin to take the inaugural title. Cashman followed in his father's footsteps by playing in goal; however, he soon made the switch to become an outfield player.[4]

Cashman enjoyed little success in the minor and under-21 grades with Blackrock; however, he joined the club's senior team in the mid-1970s. He won his first county senior championship winners' medal in 1978 following a victory over fierce rivals Glen Rovers. 'The Rockies' subsequently stormed through the provincial club championship and defeated Newmarket-on-Fergus by two goals, giving Cashman a Munster club title.[5] The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny as Ballyhale Shamrocks provided the opposition. Ray Cummins scored two goals in rapid succession in the opening thirty minutes to put Blackrock in the driving seat. At the full-time whistle 'the Rockies' were the winners by 5–7 to 5–5 giving Cashman an All-Ireland club winners' medal.[6]

In 1979 Cashman won a second Cork county championship title with Blackrock. In a similar sequence of events to previous years the club later defeated Dunhill of Waterford to give Cashman a second Munster club title.[7] Blackrock's All-Ireland trail came to an end at the semi-final stage. Cashman won a third county hurling title in 1985.

Cashman also played Gaelic football with 'the Rockies' sister club St. Michael's. He played in three consecutive county finals between 1976 and 1978; however, he ended up on the losing side on all three occasions.

Cashman first came to prominence as a dual player on the inter-county scene with Cork in the early 1970s. In 1974 he enjoyed a rare double in this grade. Cashman began the year by winning a Munster minor hurling title following a 2–11 to 2–7 defeat of Tipperary in a replay.[8] The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny. A close game ensued, however, at the final whistle Cork were the champions by 1–10 to 1–8, giving Cashman an All-Ireland minor winners' medal.[9]

1974 also saw Cashman enjoy much success with the Cork minor footballers. He picked up a Munster title in this code as well as Cork defeated arch-rivals Kerry by 0–13 to 1–6.[10] An All-Ireland final appearance later beckoned with Mayo providing the opposition. The game was a close affair, however, Cork were the winners by 1–10 to 1–6.[11] This victory gave Cashman an All-Ireland minor football winners' medal to add to the hurling memento he won two weeks earlier.

In 1975 Cashman was still eligible for the minor grade. He added a second Munster title to his collection that year as Cork completely trounced Tipperary by 3–16 to 1–7 in the provincial final.[12] The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny for the second year in-a-row. Kilkenny were a much better team on the day and Cork were well defeated by 3–19 to 1–14.[13] 1975 also saw Cashman join Cork's under-21 team. He subsequently captured his first Munster under-21 winners' title following a 3–12 to 2–6 win over Limerick.[14] The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against fierce rivals Kilkenny, however, Cashman did not play in that game. Kilkenny were the overwhelming winners on that occasion by 5–13 to 2–9.[15]

Cashman was still a key member of the Cork under-21 team in 1976. That year he added a second Munster winners' title to his collection as Clare were accounted for.[16] The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Kilkenny once again, however, on this occasion Cork had the upper hand. A 2–17 to 1–8 trouncing gave Cashman an All-Ireland under-21 winners' medal.[17]

In 1977 Cashman collected a third consecutive Munster under-21 title as Limerick fell by 5–9 to 1–8.[18] A third successive All-Ireland under-21 final beckoned and, for the third year in-a-row, Kilkenny were the opponents. Only a goal separated the sides at the full-time whistle, however, victory went to Kilkenny.[19]

Cashman made his senior debut with the Cork senior hurling team in a National Hurling League game in 1976.[20] By the time the championship commenced in 1977 he was a key member of the half-back line. That year he picked up his first Munster winners' medal at senior level as Clare were defeated. 'The Rebels' got off to a great start with a Tim Crowley penalty after just seventy-five seconds. Clare fought back, however, Cork still defeated fourteen-man Clare by 4–15 to 4–10.[21] A subsequent defeat of Galway set up an All-Ireland final showdown with Wexford. The game turned into a close, exciting affair. A Seánie O'Leary goal, together with some brilliant saves by goalkeeper Martin Coleman helped Cork to a 1–17 to 3–8 victory.[22] This victory gave Cashman his first senior All-Ireland winners' medal at senior level. His impact was so great in his first full season that he was later presented with his first All-Star award.

1978 saw Cork dominate the provincial championship once again. Clare provided the opposition in second consecutive Munster showdown between the two sides. The game was a close affair and one which Cork could have lost. At the full-time whistle Cork still had a narrow 0–13 to 0–11 win[23] to give Cashman a second Munster title. This victory paved the way for Cork to take on Kilkenny in the subsequent All-Ireland final. The stakes were high as Cork were attempting to capture a first three in-a-row since 1954. The game, however, was not the classic that many expected. Cork were never really troubled over the course of the seventy minutes and a Jimmy Barry-Murphy goal helped the team to a 1–15 to 2–8 victory over their age-old rivals.[24] This victory gave Cork a third All-Ireland title in succession and gave Cashman his second All-Ireland winners' medal. He later collected a second All-Star award.

In 1979 Cork were invincible in the provincial championship once again. A 2–15 to 0–9 trouncing of Limerick gave the county a record-equaling fifth consecutive Munster title.[25] On a personal level it was Cashman's third consecutive Munster winners' medal. After this game it looked likely that Cork were set for a fourth consecutive appearance in the All-Ireland final and the chance to equal the seemingly unbeatable record of four championships in-a-row. The All-Ireland semi-final saw Galway catch Cork on the hop once again. A 2–14 to 1–13 defeat ended the dream of four in-a-row.

Cork lost their provincial crown in 1980, however, Cashman continued with his winning ways by capturing a National Hurling League medal. He won a second National Hurling League title in 1981, however, Cork were defeated in the provincial championship in both seasons.[26]

In 1982 Cork were back and Cashman won his fourth Munster hurling winners' medal following a 5–31 to 3–6 trouncing of Waterford.[27] The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Cork take on Kilkenny. Following an impressive provincial championship campaign 'the Rebels' were the red-hot favourites, however, Kilkenny surprised. Christy Heffernan scored two goals in a forty-second spell just before the interval to take the wind out of Cork's sails. Ger Fennelly got a third goal within eight minutes of the restart, giving Kilkenny a 3–18 to 1–15 victory.[28]

In 1983 Cork's run of provincial success continued. He won a fifth Munster title that year as Cork trounced Waterford for the second consecutive year.[29] The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Kilkenny for the second consecutive year also. 'The Cats' used a strong wind to dominate the opening half and built up a strong lead. Cork came storming back with goals by Tomás Mulcahy and Seánie O'Leary, however, at the full-time whistle Kilkenny had won by 2–14 to 2–12.[30] In spite of this defeat Cashman was still presented with another All-Star award.

1984 was a special year in the annals of Gaelic games as it was the centenary year of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The year began well with Cashman helping his team to victory in the special Centenary Cup competition. A sixth Munster winners' medal soon followed for Cashman as Cork defeated Tipperary by 4–15 to 3–14 in a memorable Munster final.[31] The subsequent All-Ireland final, played at Semple Stadium in Thurles, saw Cork take on Offaly for the first time ever in championship history. The centenary-year final failed to live up to expectations and Cork recorded a relatively easy 3–16 to 1–12 victory.[32] It was Cashmna's third All-Ireland winners' medal.

In 1985 Fenton added a seventh Munster title to his collection as Cork defeated Tipperary by 4–17 to 4–11 in the provincial decider.[33] Cork, however, were later defeated by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final.

In 1986 Cashman was joined on the team by his younger brother Jim, while he was also appointed captain of the team. That year Cork made it five-in-a-row in Munster as Cork defeated Clare by 2–18 to 3–12 to take the provincial title.[34] It was Cashman's eighth Munster winners' medal. This victory paved the way for an All-Ireland final meeting with Galway. The men from the west were the red-hot favourites against an ageing Cork team, however, on the day a different story unfolded. Four Cork goals, one from John Fenton, two from Tomás Mulcahy and one from Kevin Hennessy, stymied the Galway attack and helped 'the Rebels' to a 4–13 to 2–15 victory.[35] It was Cashman's fourth All-Ireland winners' medal while he also had the honour of lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup on behalf of his county.

In 1987 Cork were attempting to make history by winning a record sixth Munster title in-a-row. Tipperary provided the opposition on that occasion, however, the game ended in a draw. The replay in FitzGerald Stadium, Killarney has gone down in history as one of the great provincial finals. At full-time both sides were level again and extra time was played. Tipp eventually won the day by 4–22 to 1–22 and it was the first time in five years that Cork were not provincial champions.[36]

Tipp triumphed over Cork again in 1988. This was Cashman's last game for the county and he retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.[37]

Cashman also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial hurling competition and enjoyed much success. He first lined out with his province in 1978 as Munster defeated Connacht by 0–20 to 1–11, giving Cashman a Railway Cup winners' medal. Munster faced defeat in 1979 and 1980, however, by 1981 the province was back and defeated arch-rivals Leinster by 2–16 to 2–6. It was Cashman's second Railway Cup title. After back-to-back defeats for the next few years and a brief hiatus Cashman was back on the Munster team as captain in 1985. A third Railway Cup winners' medal followed as Connacht were accounted for in the final.[38]

In retirement from hurling Cashman remained involved in the game. He was a selector when Jimmy Barry-Murphy steered Cork to an All-Ireland final victory over Kilkenny in 1999. When Barry-Murphy resigned the following year Cashman took over as manager.[39] Unfortunately, his reign as manager was not as successful as his playing career. Cork were defeated in the Munster Championship by Limerick and were eventually knocked out in the All-Ireland qualifiers by Galway. Cashman subsequently resigned as manager after just one season in charge.[40]

It was around this time that Cashman's reputation as one of Cork's all-time greats was cemented as he was named on the Cork Hurling Team of the Century.

Blackrock

• All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship (1): 1979
• Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship (3): 1975, 1978, 1979
• Cork Senior Hurling Championship (4): 1975, 1978, 1979, 1985

Cork

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (4): 1977, 1978, 1984, 1986
• Munster Senior Hurling Championship (8): 1977, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 (c)
• National Hurling League (2): 1979-80, 1980-81
• All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 1976
• Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 1975, 1976, 1977
• All-Ireland Minor Football Championship (1): 1974
• Munster Minor Football Championship (1): 1974
• All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship (1): 1974
• Munster Minor Hurling Championship (2): 1974, 1975

Munster

• Railway Cup (): 1978, 1981, 1985

Cork

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (1): 1999
• Munster Senior Hurling Championship (2): 1999, 2000
• National Hurling League (1): 1998
• All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship (1): 1995
• Munster Minor Hurling Championship (2): 1994, 1995