Colm Bonnar - Playing Career - Minor, Under-21 & Junior

Minor, Under-21 & Junior

Bonnar's talent as a hurler was quickly spotted by the Tipperary inter-county selectors and he joined the minor panel in the early 1980s. In 1982 he enjoyed his first major success when he captured a Munster title in that grade. He later lined out in the minor championship decider with Wexford providing the opposition. Tipp had a relatively comfortable 2-7 to 0-4 win, giving Bonnar a coveted All-Ireland medal.

Bonnar later joined the Tipperary under-21 panel, winning a Munster title at this level in 1983. He later lined out in the All-Ireland final, with Galway providing the opposition. A final score of 0-12 to 1-9 in Galway's favour meant that Bonnar ended up on the losing side. In 1984 he added a second consecutive Munster under-21 title to his collection before later lining out in a second consecutive All-Ireland medal. Kilkenny were the opponents on that occasion, however, Tipp were defeated again by 1-12 to 0-11. In 1985 Bonnar made it three Munster titles in-a-row before lining out in a third consecutive All-Ireland decider. Kilkenny provided the opposition once again, however, at the third time of asking Bonnar collected a coveted All-Ireland medal after a narrow 1-10 to 2-6 victory.

That same year Bonnar also won a Munster junior hurling medal as a substitute, however, Wexford accounted for Tipperary in the subsequent All-Ireland final.