{{Short description|Irish hurler (born 1995)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox Gaelic games player | code= Hurling | sport = Hurling | image = | name = Mikey Kearney | irish = Mícheál Ó Cearnaigh | feet = 5 | inches = 9 | nickname = | occupation = | county = Waterford | province = Munster | club = [[Ballyduff Upper GAA|Ballyduff Upper]] | clubs = | clyears = | clapps(points) = | clcounty = 0 | clprovince= | clallireland = | colleges = [[CIT GAA|Cork Institute of Technology]] | colyears = | fitz = 0 | counties = [[Waterford GAA|Waterford]] | icposition = Midfield | icyears = 2015-present | icapps(points) = 6 (0-02) | icprovince = 0 | icallireland = 0 | nhl = 1 | allstars = 0 | clupdate = | icupdate = 17:31, 29 November 2020 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1995|9|19}} | birth_place=[[Ballyduff, County Waterford|Ballyduff]], [[County Waterford]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] }} '''Michael Kearney''' (born 19 September 1995) is an Irish [[hurling|hurler]] who plays for [[Waterford Senior Hurling Championship|Waterford Senior Championship]] club [[Ballyduff Upper GAA|Ballyduff Upper]] and at inter-county level with the [[Waterford senior hurling team]]. He usually lines out as a midfielder.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/14man-waterford-advance-to-league-final-but-worry-for-galway-over-joe-canning-injury-37946066.html|title=14-man Waterford advance to league final but worry for Galway over Joe Canning injury|publisher=Irish Independent|date=24 March 2019|accessdate=24 March 2019|first=Martin|last=Breheny}}</ref>
==Playing career== ===Blackwater Community School===
Kearney first came to prominence as a hurler with [[Blackwater Community School]] where he played in every grade of hurling. On 23 November 2011, he lined out at midfield when Blackwater CS defeated Dungarvan CBS by 0-11 to 0-08 to win the [[Dean Ryan Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/bennett-the-ace-as-blackwater-record-historic-win-174825.html|title=Bennett the ace as Blackwater record historic win|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=24 November 2011|accessdate=24 March 2019|first=John|last=Murphy}}</ref> Kearney also lined out for the school in the [[Dr. Harty Cup|Harty Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/blackwater-fightback-just-falls-short-26792823.html|title=Blackwater fightback just falls short|publisher=Irish Independent|date=17 November 2011|accessdate=14 February 2019|first=|last=}}</ref>
===Cork Institute of Technology===
Kearney studied at the [[Cork Institute of Technology]] and joined the [[CIT GAA|senior hurling team]] in his second year at the institute. He was a regular player in several [[Fitzgibbon Cup]] campaigns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/county-stars-lead-ucc-charge-past-cit-466006.html|title=County stars lead UCC charge past CIT|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=19 January 2018|accessdate=14 February 2019|first=Eoghan|last=Cormican}}</ref>
===Ballyduff Upper===
Kearney joined the [[Ballyduff Upper GAA|Ballyduff Upper]] club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels before eventually joining the club's top adult team in the [[Waterford Senior Hurling Championship|Waterford Senior Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/tallow-edge-neighbours-ballyduffin-western-derby-331027.html|title=Tallow edge neighbours Ballyduff in Western derby|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=16 May 2015|accessdate=24 March 2019|first=Tomás|last=McCarthy}}</ref>
===Waterford=== ====Minor and under-21====
Kearney first lined out for [[Waterford GAA|Waterford]] as a member of the minor team during the [[2012 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#Munster Minor Hurling Championship|2012 Munster Championship]]. He made his first appearance for the team on 2 May when he was introduced as a 48th-minute substitute in a 1-20 to 3-13 defeat of [[Clare GAA|Clare]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/curran-proves-deise-hero-26849424.html|title=Curran proves Deise hero|date=3 May 2012|publisher=Irish Independent|accessdate=12 June 2019|first=|last=}}</ref>
Kearney was again eligible for the minor grade in [[2013 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship|2013]] and joined the starting fifteen as a midfielder. On 14 July, he scored a point from play in a 2-19 apiece draw with [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]] in the [[2013 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#Munster Minor Hurling Championship|Munster final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/limerick-waterford-munster-minor-992433-Jul2013/|title=Limerick and Waterford draw in Munster minor hurling final|date=14 July 2013|publisher=The 42|accessdate=12 June 2019|first=Jackie|last=Cahill}}</ref> Kearney retained his position at midfield for the replay on 23 July, however, he ended on the losing side following a 1-20 to 4-08 defeat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-20237793.html|title=Limerick end 29-year wait for Munster title in style|date=24 July 2013|publisher=Irish Examiner|access-date=30 July 2018|first=Jackie|last=Cahill}}</ref> On 8 September, he scored 0-04 from left wing-forward when Waterford defeated [[Galway GAA|Galway]] by 1-21 to 0-16 in the [[2013 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|All-Ireland final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/waterford-beat-galway-all-ireland-minor-hurling-final-1074442-Sep2013/|title=Waterford end 65-year wait for All-Ireland minor title|date=8 September 2013|publisher=The 42|accessdate=30 July 2018|first=Paul|last=Fennessy}}</ref>
Kearney joined the Waterford under-21 team in advance of the [[2014 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship|2014 Munster Championship]]. He made his first appearance for the team on 16 July 2014 when he lined out at midfield in a 3-18 to 0-16 defeat by [[Cork GAA|Cork]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/collins-pulls-out-all-the-stops-275757.html|title=Collins pulls out all the stops|date=17 July 2014|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=30 July 2018|first=Diarmuid|last=O'Flynn}}</ref>
After a disappointing [[2015 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship|2015 Munster Championship]], Kearney was selected for the under-21 team for a third successive season in [[2016 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship|2016]]. On 27 July, he won a [[Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship|Munster Championship]] medal after a 2-19 to 0-15 defeat of [[Tipperary GAA|Tipperary]] in the [[Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship|final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2016/0727/805288-waterford-v-tipperary/|title=Waterford find extra gear to claim Munster U21 hurling title|date=28 July 2016|publisher=RTÉ Sport|accessdate=30 July 2018|first=Tomás|last=McCarthy}}</ref> On 10 September, Kearney won an [[All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] medal after scoring 0-02 from left corner-forward in a 5-15 to 0-14 defeat of Galway in the [[2016 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship Final|final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hoganstand.com/article/index/260712|title=All-Ireland U21 HC final: dazzling Deise surge past Tribesmen|date=10 September 2016|publisher=Hogan Stand|accessdate=30 July 2018|first=|last=}}</ref>
====Senior====
Kearney was added to the Waterford senior team in advance of the [[2015 National Hurling League|2015 National League]]. He made his first appearance on 14 February 2015 when he lined out at left corner-forward in a 0-22 to 2-16 draw with [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/hurling/waterford-put-on-a-show-but-limerickmake-their-point-312822.html|title=Waterford put on a show but Limerickmake their point|date=16 February 2015|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=30 July 2018|first=|last=}}</ref> On 3 May 2015, Kearney won a [[National Hurling League|National League]] medal as a non-playing substitute when Waterford defeated Cork by 1-24 to 0-17 in the [[2015 National Hurling League#Division 1 Final|final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/waterford-cork-2082951-May2015/|title=Waterford crowned hurling league champions with emphatic win over Cork|date=3 May 2015|publisher=The 42|accessdate=2 January 2019|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}}</ref> He was later included on the Waterford panel for the [[2015 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|Munster Championship]]. On 12 July 2015, Kearney was an unused substitute when Waterford were beaten for the fourth time in six seasons by Tipperary in the [[2015 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final|Munster final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/tipperary-claim-munster-hurling-title-with-tight-win-over-waterford-31370896.html|title=Tipperary claim Munster hurling title with tight win over Waterford|date=6 March 2012|publisher=Irish Independent|accessdate=2 January 2019|first=Seán|last=McGoldrick}}</ref>
On 1 May 2016, Kearney was an unused substitute when Waterford drew 0-22 apiece with Clare in the [[2016 National Hurling League#Division 1 Final & Replay|National League final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/incredible-drama-as-waterford-force-league-final-replay-after-monster-70m-free-34675645.html|title=Incredible drama as Waterford force league final replay after monster 70m free|date=1 May 2016|publisher=Irish Independent|accessdate=2 January 2019|first=Seán|last=McGoldrick}}</ref> He also remained on the bench for the replay, which Waterford lost by 1-23 to 2-19.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/clare-waterford-hurling-2758374-May2016/|title=Kelly the scoring hero as Clare claim dramatic league final win over Waterford|date=8 May 2016|publisher=The 42|accessdate=2 January 2019|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}}</ref> On 10 July 2016, Kearney was an unused substitute when Waterford suffered a 5-19 to 0-13 defeat by Tipperary in the [[2016 Munster Senior Hurling Championship Final|Munster final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/tipp-torrents-wash-deise-hopes-away-34872402.html|title=Tipp torrents wash Deise hopes away|date=11 July 2016|publisher=Irish Independent|accessdate=2 January 2019|first=Martin|last=Breheny}}</ref>
On 3 September 2017, Kearney was selected as a substitute when Waterford faced Galway in the [[2017 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final|All-Ireland final]]. He remained on the bench and ended the game as a runner-up following Galway's 0-26 to 2-17 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/hurling/galway-end-all-ireland-famine-with-tight-win-over-waterford-at-croke-park-36095604.html|title=Galway end All Ireland famine with tight win over Waterford at Croke Park|date=3 September 2017|publisher=Irish Independent|accessdate=2 January 2019|first=Seán|last=McGoldrick}}</ref>
On 3 June 2018, Kearney made his first appearance in the [[2018 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|Munster Championship]] when he lined out at right corner-forward against Tipperary. He was substituted in the 47th minute in the eventual 2-22 apiece draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/gaa/controversial-goal-gives-tipperary-lifeline-in-all-ireland-hurling-championship-846729.html|title=Controversial goal gives Tipperary lifeline in All-Ireland Hurling Championship|date=3 June 2018|publisher=Irish Examiner|accessdate=2 January 2019|first=John|last=Fogarty}}</ref>
On 31 March 2019, Kearney was named at centre-forward but lined out at right wing-forward when Waterford faced Limerick in the [[2019 National Hurling League#Final|National League final]]. He was held scoreless in the 1-24 to 0-19 defeat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/limerick-hurling-league-waterford-4569589-Mar2019/|title=Limerick end 22-year with for league honours in style with final win over Waterford|date=31 March 2019|publisher=The 42|accessdate=31 March 2019|first=Fintan|last=O'Toole}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
{{updated|match played 28 November 2020.}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !rowspan="2"|Team !rowspan="2"|Year !colspan="3"|[[National Hurling League|National League]] !colspan="2"|[[Munster Senior Hurling Championship|Munster]] !colspan="2"|[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Score!!Apps!!Score!!Apps!!Score!!Apps!!Score |- |rowspan="6"|[[Waterford GAA|Waterford]] |2015 |rowspan="1"|[[National Hurling League|Division 1B]] |3||0-00||0||0-00||0||0-00||3||0-00 |- |2016 |rowspan="3"|[[National Hurling League|Division 1B]] |5||0-03||0||0-00||0||0-00||5||0-03 |- |2017 |4||0-01||0||0-00||0||0-00||4||0-01 |- |2018 |5||1-09||2||0-01||colspan=2|—||7||1-10 |- |2019 |rowspan="1"|[[National Hurling League|Division 1B]] |8||0-10||3||0-01||colspan=2|—||11||0-11 |- |2020 |rowspan="1"|[[National Hurling League|Division 1A]] |3||0-02||1||0-00||0||0-00||4||0-02 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !28!!1-25!!6!!0-02!!0!!0-00!!34!!1-27 |}
==Honours==
;Blackwater Community School *[[Dean Ryan Cup]] (1): 2011
;Waterford *[[National Hurling League]] (1): [[2015 National Hurling League|2015]] *[[All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship]] (1): [[2016 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship|2016]] *[[Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship]] (1): [[2016 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship|2016]] *[[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship]] (1): [[2013 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|2013]]
;Ballyduff Upper *[[Waterford Intermediate Hurling Championship]] (1): 2020 <ref>{{Cite web | title = Kearney returns to Ballyduff Upper to senior ranks | url = https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-40040333.html | website = Irish Examiner | date = 30 August 2020 | access-date = 2025-11-06 }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Navboxes |title=Mikey Kearney navigation boxes |list1= {{Waterford Minor Hurling Team 2013}} {{Waterford Under-21 Hurling Team 2016}} {{Waterford Hurling Team 2017}} {{Waterford Hurling Team 2020}} }} {{Waterford Hurling Team}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kearney, Mikey}} [[Category:1995 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:CIT hurlers]] [[Category:Ballyduff Upper hurlers]] [[Category:Waterford inter-county hurlers]] [[Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen]]