Brian Corcoran (born 23 March 1973) is an Irish former hurler and Gaelic footballer who played as a centre-back and as a full-forward for the Cork senior teams.
Born in Glounthaune, County Cork, Corcoran first played competitive Gaelic games whilst at school at Midleton CBS Secondary School. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of fifteen when he first linked up with the Cork minor teams as a dual player, before later joining the under-21 sides. He made his senior debut during the 1991-92 National Hurling League. Corcoran went on to play a key part for Cork as both a hurler and as a footballer, and won three All-Ireland medals, five Munster medals and two National Hurling League medals. He also won three Munster medals as a footballer. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on three occasions.
As a member of the Munster inter-provincial teams in both codes, Corcoran won one Railway Cup medal. At club level he is a three-time championship medallist with Erin's Own.
His grandfather, Bill Corcoran, was an All-Ireland champion runner while his brother, John, was a dual player at minor and under-21 levels with Cork.
Throughout his career Corcoran made a combined total of 56 championship appearances for the Cork hurling and football teams. Having retired for football following the conclusion of the 1998 championship, Corcoran announced his second retirement from inter-county hurling on 14 November 2006.
Corcoran is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers of his generation and second only to Christy Ring in terms of Cork's all-time greatest players, and second to the great Clare Hurler Seanie McMahon in terms of the country's all time outstanding centre backs. He has been repeatedly voted onto teams made up of the sport's greats, including at left corner-back on the Cork Hurling Team of the Century in 2000, while he was later chosen as one of the 125 greatest hurlers of all-time in a 2009 poll. Corcoran also won two Hurler of the Year accolades and three All-Star awards.
Early life
Corcoran was born in Caherlag, Glounthaune, County Cork in March 1973. He attended the local prima, before later completing his secondary schooling at Midleton CBS Secondary School.
Corcoran graduated from Cork Regional Technical College with a BSc in computing application and currently works as a VP of IT at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
Playing career
Colleges
Corcoran enjoyed much success during his tenure at Midleton CBS. He captained the school to the Rice Cup in 1987, before joining the senior team the following year. He won a Dr. Harty Cup medal that year following a 2-7 to 2-3 defeat of Thurles CBS. Corcoran's side later faced St. Kieran's College in the All-Ireland decider, however, victory went to the Kilkenny college by 3-10 to 2-7.
Club
In 1991 Corcoran joined the Erin's Own senior hurling team. The following year the club reached their very first championship decider. Na Piarsaigh provided the opposition, however, Corcoran produced a masterclass and scored ten points in Erin's Own 1-12 to 0-12 victory. It was his first championship medal.
Two years later Erin's Own qualified for the junior football championship decider, having already captured the East Cork title. Kiskeam were the opponents, however, Corcoran collected a championship medal following a narrow 0-15 to 2-7 defeat of Kiskeam.
Having lost the hurling decider in 2000, Erin's Own reached the championship final once again in 2006. Two-time defeated finalists Cloyne provided the opposition, however, two vital scores from Kieran Murphy and Corcoran secured a 2-19 to 3-14 victory.
Minor and under-21
Corcoran was just fifteen-years-old when he was invited onto the Cork minor hurling panel. Due to his age he reluctantly declined, however, he was persuaded at the second time of asking a few weeks later. To his surprise Corcoran was included on the starting fifteen and won his first Munster medal following a 5-7 to 1-2 trouncing of Tipperary. Cork later qualified for the All-Ireland final against Kilkenny with Corcoran lining out at midfield. The Cats were too strong on that occasion as Cork were defeated by 3-13 to 0-12.
Two years later Corcoran was a regular player with both the minor hurling and football teams. He won a second Munster medal that year following a 1-9 to 0-9 defeat of Clare. Once again Cork faced Kilkenny in the All-Ireland decider, however, both sides finished level at 3-14 apiece. Corcoran broke his ankle in a club game the week before the replay, however, he was introduced as a substitute. Once again Kilkenny proved too strong as Cork faced a heavy 3-16 to 0-11 defeat.