Former Offaly hurling star inducted into Croke Park hall of fame
Seir Kieran club man made great contribution to Offaly hurling
A FORMER Offaly hurling star was inducted into a hall of fame at Croke Park on Monday. Joe Dooley, a star in the glory years in the 1980s and 1990s, was put into the Croke Park Museum hall of fame along with Donegal football hero, Martin McHugh, Derry’s Tony Scullion, Kilkenny hurling great Liam Fennelly and late Cork dual star Teddy McCarthy.
Seir Kieran club man, Joe Dooley is one of Offaly's best known hurlers. He emerged onto the scene in 1982, in the wake of the big breakthrough Leinster and All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship wins in 1980 and 1981.
He established himself on the Offaly team in 1984, playing in the centenary year All-Ireland final loss to Cork. He was corner forward as Offaly won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship in 1985.
As the greats of the 1981-1985 All-Ireland champions drifted away, Joe Dooley went the full distance. He scored a crucial 1-2 in the 1994 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final win over Limerick, before being replaced in the second half as Offaly hunted down the deficit. Younger brothers Billy and Johnny formed half of the forward line alongside Joe for much of the 1990s and they were also outstanding in 1994 with Johnny, one of Offaly's greatest ever hurlers, at his peak and deadly sharpshooter Billy getting three sensational late points in a five point haul in that final.
Johnny Dooley scored 1-4 with his late goal from a free igniting Offaly's stunning late victory charge. The three Dooley brothers scored 2-11 of Offaly's 3-16 tally and they were also outstanding as Offaly won their fourth All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship in 1998.
After the disappointment of the 1995 All-Ireland final defeat to Clare, Offaly had an extraordinary win in 1998 – Babs Keating was forced to resign as manager after a post match outburst following a Leinster final defeat to Kilkenny and Offaly got a third chance against Clare in the All-Ireland semi-final after referee Jimmy Cooney blew time up early by mistake.
Joe Dooley played his best hurling for Offaly in his veteran years. A big game performer, he was magnificent in the decisive third game against Clare in 1998 when everything he touched turned to gold and he arrowed over five points. He scored two points in the All-Ireland final win over Kilkenny and received his only All-Star award that year.
He continued playing until 2000 and his last game was the All-Ireland final mauling by Kilkenny. Joined by brothers Seamus and Kieran, the Dooley's brothers were also instrumental in a great era for Seir Kieran as they won the Senior Hurling Championship in 1988, 1995, 1996 and 1998.
Living in Tullamore and married to Cork woman, Marie, their son Shane was an excellent Offaly forward from 2007 to 2023 while Joe managed Offaly senior hurlers for four years from 2007.