Michael Coleman (hurler)

Born and raised in Abbeyknockmoy, County Galway, Coleman attended St Jarlath's College in Tuam. Although regarded as a college more famous for Gaelic football, he played hurling at all levels during his schooldays.^[2][3] Coleman later studied at University College Galway and was a two-time Fitzgibbon Cup runner-up.^[4]

Coleman first played for Abbeyknockmoy at adult level in 1981.^[5] He scored three points from centre-back when Abbeyknockmoy beat Craughwell by 1-09 to 1-02 to claim the Galway IHC title in 1985.^[6] Three years later, Coleman was again at centre-back when Abbeyknockmoy reached the senior decider. He scored 1-02, including a penalty, as the club claimed their inaugural Galway SHC title after a one-point defeat of Athenry in a final replay.^[7]

Coleman first played for Galway at inter-county level as a member of the minor team. He came on as a substitute and scored a point in Galway's 1-20 to 3-09 defeat by Kilkenny in the 1981 All-Ireland minor final.^[8] Coleman immediately progressed to Galway's under-21 team and was an unused substitute when Cork beat Galway by a single point in the 1982 All-Ireland under-21 final.^[9] He broke onto the starting fifteen a year later and claimed an All-Ireland U21HC medal after a 0-12 to 1-06 defeat of Tipperary in that year's All-Ireland under-21 final.^[10]

Coleman was still eligible for the under-21 grade when he was drafted onto Galway's junior team. He lost back-to-back All-Ireland finals in that grade, first to Cork in 1983 and, later, to Kilkenny in 1984.^[11][12] By that stage, Coleman had already joined the senior team, after being added to the panel for the National Hurling League in March 1984.^[13]

After a period away from the team, Coleman was recalled and won a National Hurling League title in 1987 following Galway's 3-12 to 3-10 win over Clare in the final.^[14] He was later released from the panel and was a spectator when Galway beat Kilkenny to win that year's All-Ireland SHC title.^[15] Coleman was again recalled to the team and was selected at midfield for the 1988 All-Ireland final against Tipperary. He ended the game with an All-Ireland SHC winners' medal following Galway's 1-15 to 0-14 victory.^[16]

Coleman collected his first All Star in 1989, before claiming a second consecutive award in 1990. He had earlier lined out at midfield in Galway's 5-15 to 2-21 defeat by Cork in the 1990 All-Ireland final.^[17] Coleman made his third All-Ireland final appearance in 1993, however, he once again ended on the losing side after a 2-17 to 1-15 defeat by Kilkenny.^[18]

After winning the first of four consecutive Connacht SHC medals and being presented with a third All Star in 1995, Coleman was appointed team captain in 1996. He claimed a third National League title that year. Coleman stepped away from the team at the end of the 1998 season, however, he was recalled a year later for an All-Ireland quarter-final defeat by Clare.^[19]

Coleman's performances at inter-county level resulted in his selection for the Connacht team. He won his first Railway Cup medal in 1989, following a 4-16 to 3-17 defeat of Munster in the final.^[20] Coleman added a second winners' medal to his collection two years later when Munster were once again beaten.^[21] Coleman won a third Railway Cup title in 1994, when he captained the team to a one-point win over Leinster.^[22]

Coleman spent a number of years as coach and selector with the Leitrim senior hurling team.^[23] He was part of the management team in 2019 when Leitrim won the Lory Meagher Cup for the first time following a 2–23 to 2–22 win over Lancashire in the final.^[24]

Coleman died on 7 February 2025, at the age of 61, following an accident at his home.^[25] His death happened while he was at work clearing damage caused by Storm Éowyn.^[26] Survived by his wife, son and daughter, Coleman's funeral was held at Brooklodge's Church of the Immaculate Conception on 13 February.^[27]