Greg Blaney

Greg Blaney
Personal information
Sport Dual player
Football Position: Centre half forward
Hurling Position: Centre half forward
Born Kircubbin County Down
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Nickname Heggy
Occupation Dentist
Club(s)
Years Club
Carryduff (F)
Ballycran (H)
Club titles
  Football Hurling
Down titles 1 8
Ulster titles 0 1
All-Ireland titles 0 0
College titles
Sigerson titles 1
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
1981-1997[2]
1985-1993
Down (F)
Down (H)
Inter-county titles
  Football Hurling
Ulster Titles 3 1
All-Ireland Titles 2 0
League titles 1 2 (Div 3)
All-Stars 3 0
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Greg Blaney is an Irish dual player who played Gaelic football and hurling for Down in the 1980s and 1990s. He was part of the Down team that won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship in 1991 and 1994.[1] Blaney won three Ulster Senior Football Championships[2] and a National League title with Down and won three All Star awards during his career.[2] He also had a distinguished underage career with the county - winning Ulster Minor, Ulster Under 21 and All-Ireland Under 21 Football Championship medals.

In football, he usually played at centre half forward.[3] He was a brilliant reader of the game.[3] He was renowned for his vision,[4] ball-winning[1] and play-making abilities.[1][5] His excellent passing skills[1] set up countless chances for teammates.[3] His understanding with Down corner forward Mickey Linden has been described as "near telepathic".[1] It has been said that he made the Down "attack tick with his shrewd play and inventiveness".[5] Blaney was also able to score himself.[3]

Blaney is a legend in Down GAA circles,[5] and is known as one of the county's best ever footballers.[3] In 2009 to mark the 125th anniversary of the Gaelic Athletic Association he was named by The Irish News as one of the all-time best 125 footballers from Ulster.[1]

As a hurler with Down, Blaney won Ulster Minor and Ulster Senior Hurling Championship medals.

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Ulster's 125 - The province's 125 best footballers since 1884". The Irish News. 20 March 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  2. ^ a b c McSherry, Ronan (5 June 2008). "Mourne great Blaney recalls some past Red Hand tussles". The Strabane Chronicle. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Ulster's 125 - Down shortlist". The Irish News. February 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
  4. ^ "Dream team for Down?". BBC Sport Online. 10 June 2002. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  5. ^ a b c "Greg Blaney becomes new Down selector". Down GAA website. 10 July 2002. Retrieved 18 August 2009.