Nick O'Donnell

Nick O'Donnell (1925–1988) was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling at various times with his local clubs Éire Óg in Kilkenny and St. Aidan’s in Wexford. He was also a member of both the Kilkenny and Wexford senior inter-county teams from 1947 until 1962. He is widely regarded as the greatest full-back in the history of hurling.

O’Donnell’s status as one of the all-time greats is self-evident. In a senior inter-county career that lasted for fifteen years he won three All-Ireland titles, six Leinster titles, two National Hurling League titles and one Railway Cup title.

O’Donnell has also been the recipient of many awards and honours off the field. In 1960 his hurling prowess earned him the prestigious Texaco Hurler of the Year award. He was later honoured in 1984 when he was named, by popular demand, in the full-back position on the GAA Hurling Team of the Century. O’Donnell was named in the same position on the GAA Hurling Team of the Millennium in 2000.