Tom Cashman

Tom Cashman (born 28 August 1957) is an Irish former hurler, coach and selector who played for Cork Senior Championship club Blackrock. He played for the Cork senior hurling team for 12 years. Equally comfortable as a half-back or at midfield, Cashman is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.^[1][2]

Cashman began his hurling career at club level with Blackrock. He broke onto the club's top adult team as a 16-year-old in 1974 and enjoyed his greatest success at midfield on the All-Ireland Club Championship-winning team in 1979. Cashman's club career ended in 1990, by which time he had also won three Munster Club Championship titles and four Cork Senior Championship titles.

At inter-county level, Cashman was part of the successful Cork minor teams that won dual All-Ireland Championships in 1974 before later winning an All-Ireland Championship with the under-21 team in 1976. He joined the Cork senior team in 1976. From his debut, Cashman was ever-present either at midfield or in the half-back line and made 36 Championship appearances in a career that ended with his last game in 1988. During that time he was part of four All-Ireland Championship-winning teams – in 1977, 1978, 1984 and as captain in 1986. Cashman also secured eight Munster Championship medals and two National Hurling League medals. He announced his retirement from inter-county hurling in January 1989.

Cashman won his first All-Star in 1977, before claiming a further two All-Stars in 1978, 1983. He was later selected on the Cork Hurling Teams of the Century and Millennium. At inter-provincial level, Cashman was selected to play in seven championship campaigns with Munster, with Railway Cup titles being secured in 1978, 1981 and 1985.

In retirement from playing Cashman became involved in team management and coaching. He was an All-Ireland-winning coach and selector with Cork in both the minor and senior grades. He briefly served as manager of the Cork senior hurling team.