Noel Hickey facts for kids

Noel Leonard Hickey (born on December 22, 1980) is a famous Irish hurler. He played as a full-back for the Kilkenny county team at the highest level. Many people consider him one of the best full-backs of his time. He won many important awards and championships during his career.

Early Life and Start in Hurling

Noel Hickey was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. He grew up in Danganmore, near Dunnamaggin, County Kilkenny. He was one of eight children in his family. Noel started playing hurling when he was at school in Coláiste Éamann Rís. He also studied agriculture at Kildalton College.

Playing for His Club

Noel Hickey played club hurling for his local team, Dunnamaggin. He had a lot of success with them.

Youth Club Success

He won a county title with the club's minor (under-18) team in 1995. Three years later, in 1998, he won another minor county title. Noel was also a key player for the Dunnamaggin under-21 team. He won his first under-21 county title in 1996, when he was only fifteen. He won two more under-21 titles in 1998 and 1999.

First Senior Club Win

In 1997, Noel was still playing for the minor team when he joined the Dunnamaggin senior team. That year, the club reached the senior county championship final for the first time. They played against the champions, Young Irelands. Noel played as a left corner-back in his first senior championship game. Dunnamaggin won the game, giving Noel and his club their first senior county title.

The club did not win the title the next year. They also moved down from the senior competition. However, they returned to senior status in 2000 by winning the intermediate county championship. In 2002, Dunnamaggin reached the senior county championship final again. They played Young Irelands once more, but lost the game.

Playing for Kilkenny: Youth Teams

Noel Hickey first played for the Kilkenny county team as a minor in 1997.

Minor and Under-21 Success

He won a Leinster title with the minor team in 1997. They beat Offaly by a large score. In 1998, he won a second Leinster minor title. Kilkenny reached the All-Ireland minor final that year but lost to Cork.

In 1999, Noel joined the Kilkenny under-21 team and became their captain. They won the Leinster title that year. Kilkenny then played Galway in the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny won a close game, and Noel collected his only All-Ireland under-21 medal.

Playing for Kilkenny: Senior Team

Noel Hickey made his senior championship debut for Kilkenny in June 2000. He quickly became a very important player.

Early Senior Success (2000-2004)

In 2000, Noel won his first Leinster medal. Kilkenny then played Offaly again in the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny won by a big score, and Noel collected his first All-Ireland medal. After this, he received his first All-Star award. He was also named the Young Hurler of the Year.

In 2001, Noel won another Leinster medal. In 2002, Kilkenny won the National League, giving Noel his first National League medal. He also won a third Leinster medal. Kilkenny then played Clare in the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny won, and Noel collected his second All-Ireland medal.

The success continued in 2003. Kilkenny won the National League again, and Noel got his second medal in that competition. He then won his fourth Leinster medal. Kilkenny reached another All-Ireland final, playing against Cork. Kilkenny won a close game, and Noel collected his third All-Ireland medal. He was also named the man of the match and received his second All-Star award.

In 2004, Kilkenny lost their league and Leinster titles. However, they still reached the All-Ireland final. They played Cork again but lost this time.

Overcoming Challenges (2005-2008)

In 2005, Noel faced a health challenge. He was diagnosed with a virus that affected his heart. This meant he missed some important games, including Kilkenny's league win. He returned to play and won his fifth Leinster medal. However, he missed the All-Ireland semi-final, which Kilkenny lost.

After recovering, Noel returned to full fitness in 2006. He won his third National League medal. He also won his sixth Leinster medal. Kilkenny then played Cork in the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny won, and Noel collected his fourth All-Ireland medal. He was praised for his strong performance.

In 2007, Noel won his seventh Leinster medal. He had a hamstring injury that limited his play later in the championship. However, Kilkenny still reached the All-Ireland final against Limerick. Kilkenny won, and Noel earned his fifth All-Ireland medal.

Noel's 2008 season was also affected by injuries. He missed the Leinster championship but returned for the All-Ireland semi-final. Kilkenny played Waterford in the All-Ireland final and won by a very large score. This gave Noel his sixth All-Ireland medal. He also received his third All-Star award.

More Trophies and Retirement (2009-2013)

A knee injury and a shoulder injury kept Noel out of the 2009 championship. Because of this, he missed Kilkenny winning their historic fourth All-Ireland title in a row.

Noel returned to play in 2010 after a long break. He won his eighth Leinster medal. Kilkenny then played Tipperary in the All-Ireland final. Tipperary won, ending Kilkenny's winning streak.

Kilkenny won their Leinster title again in 2011, giving Noel his ninth Leinster medal. For the third year in a row, Kilkenny played Tipperary in the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny won, and Noel collected his seventh All-Ireland medal on the field.

In 2012, Noel played a smaller role. Kilkenny lost the Leinster final but still reached the All-Ireland final against Galway. The first game was a draw, the first since 1959. In the replay, Noel came on as a substitute. Kilkenny won easily, and Noel collected his eighth All-Ireland medal on the field, and his ninth medal overall.

On January 12, 2013, Noel Hickey announced that he was retiring from inter-county hurling.

Playing for Leinster

Noel Hickey also played for the Leinster team in the inter-provincial games.

In 2002, he helped Leinster win the Inter-provincial Championship against Munster. This was his first medal in this competition. In 2003, Noel was again a key player when Leinster won their second Inter-provincial medal against Connacht.

Noel Hickey's Achievements

Team

Dunnamaggin

• Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship (1): 1997
• Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship (1): 2000
• Kilkenny Junior Hurling Championship (1): 2018 (sub)
• Leinster Junior Club Hurling Championship (1): 2018
• All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship (1): 2019
• Kilkenny Under-21 Hurling Championship (3): 1996, 1998, 1999
• Kilkenny Minor Hurling Championship (2): 1995, 1998

Kilmoganny

• Kilkenny Senior Football Championship (1): 2000

Kilkenny

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (9): 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 (sub), 2011, 2012
• Leinster Senior Hurling Championship (11): 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 (sub), 2009 (sub), 2010, 2011
• National Hurling League (4): 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006
• All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 1999 (c)
• Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 1999 (c)
• Leinster Minor Hurling Championship (2): 1997, 1998

Leinster

• Inter-provincial Championship (1): 2002, 2003

Individual

Awards

• All Stars Young Hurler of the Year (1): 2000
• All-Star Awards (3): 2000, 2003, 2008
• Leinster Hurling Team of the last 25 years (1984–2009): Full-back