Damien Reale (born 17 May 1981) is an Irish hurler who played as a left corner-back for the Limerick senior team.

Reale made his first appearance for the team during the 2001 National League and immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen. A three-time All-Ireland medalist in the under-21 grade, he enjoyed little success as a member of the county senior team. Reale ended up an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

At club level Reale is a county intermediate championship medalist with Hospital-Herbertstown.

Playing career

Club

Reale plays is club hurling with Hospital-Herbertstown and has enjoyed much success in a lengthy career.

In 2000 he was just out of the minor grade when he won a county intermediate hurling championship medal.

A decade later Reale won a second county intermediate championship medal, as Hospital-Herbertstown triumphed once again.

Under-21

Reale first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Limerick under-21 hurling team in 2000. After a 1-13 apiece draw with Cork in the provincial decider, Limerick went on to win the replay following a stunning 4-18 to 1-6 victory. ^[1] It was Reale's first Munster medal. Limerick subsequently defeated Galway by 1-13 to 0-13 in the All-Ireland decider, giving Reale an All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship medal.

In 2001 Reale added a second Munster under-21 medal to his collection as Limerick retained their provincial title following a 3-14 to 2-16 defeat of Tipperary. Limerick later went on to defeat Wexford by just a single point to retain their All-Ireland title. ^[2] It was Reale's second All-Ireland medal.

Limerick's great run of success continued in 2002. That year Limerick retained the provincial title for the third successive year with Reale winning a third Munster medal following a 1-20 to 2-14 defeat of Tipperary. A subsequent 3-17 to 0-8 trouncing of Galway gave Reae a third successive All-Ireland medal. ^[3]

Senior

By this stage Reale was a key member of the Limerick senior hurling team. He made his debut in a National Hurling League game against Antrim in 2001 and was later included at corner-back for the championship campaign. Reale lined out in his first Munster final at senior level that year. Tipperary were the opponents on that occasion, however, Limerick faced a narrow 2-16 to 1-17 defeat. ^[4]

Limerick hurling went on to decline following this defeat and faced a number of years of early championship exits.^{[ citation needed]}

In 2006 Reale claimed his first silverware at senior level with Limerick. A 1-19 to 3-10 defeat of the Waterford Institute of Technology secured the Waterford Crystal Cup for Reale's side. ^[5]

Reale was appointed captain of the Limerick senior hurling team in 2007. That year he lined out in a second Munster final, this time with Waterford providing the opposition. A 3-17 to 1-14 defeat was Limerick's lot on that occasion. ^[6] Limerick later gained their revenge on Waterford in the All-Ireland semi-final, thus gaining qualification to a first All-Ireland decider in eleven years for the Treaty men. Kilkenny provided the opposition and got off to a flying start with Eddie Brennan and Henry Shefflin combining to score two goals within the first ten minutes. Limerick were eventually defeated on a 2–19 to 1–15 score line. ^[7]

Limerick failed to build on their reasonably successful 2007 season and went into decline once again.^{[ citation needed]}

In November 2009 Reale announced his retirement from inter-county hurling in protest over changes made in the Limerick hurling panel by team manager Justin McCarthy. ^[8] Following McCarthy's resignation as manager in 2010, Reale returned to the hurling panel.^{[ citation needed]}

In 2011 Reale won a National League (Division 2) medal that year following a 4-12 to 2-13 defeat of near neighbours Clare. ^[9]

Following the completion of the championship in 2011, Reale announced his retirement from inter-county hurling. ^[10]

Inter-provincial

Reale has also lined out with Munster in the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. He captured a winners medal in this competition in 2001 as Munster defeated Leinster.

Honours

Team

Hospital-Herbertstown

• Limerick Intermediate Hurling Championship (2): 2000, 2010

Limerick

• Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship (3): 2000, 2001, 2002
• All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship (3): 2000, 2001, 2002
• National Hurling League (Division 2) (1): 2011
• Waterford Crystal Cup (1): 2006

Munster

• Railway Cup (1): 2001

References