Adrian Mullen

Adrian Mullen
Personal information
Irish name Dreáin Ó Maoláin
Sport Hurling
Position Right wing-forward
Born (1999-03-30) 30 March 1999 (age 25)
Ballyhale, County Kilkenny, Ireland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Occupation Student
Club(s)*
Years Club Apps (scores)
2017-present
Ballyhale Shamrocks 33 (10-78)
Club titles
Kilkenny titles 5
Leinster titles 4
All-Ireland Titles 2
Colleges(s)
Years College
University College Dublin
DCU Dóchas Éireann
College titles
Fitzgibbon titles 0
Inter-county(ies)**
Years County Apps (scores)
2019-present
Kilkenny 10 (1-16)
Inter-county titles
Leinster titles 3
All-Irelands 0
NHL 0
All Stars 1
* club appearances and scores correct as of 16:36, 1 December 2019.
**Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 21:34, 17 July 2021.

Adrian Mullen (born 30 March 1999) is an Irish hurler who plays for Kilkenny Senior Championship club Ballyhale Shamrocks and at inter-county level with the Kilkenny senior hurling team.[1] He usually lines out as a right wing-forward.

Playing career

St. Kieran's College

Mullen first came to prominence as a hurler with St. Kieran's College in Kilkenny. He played in every grade of hurling before eventually joining the college's senior hurling team. On 28 February 2015, he lined out in goal when St. Kieran's College defeated St Peter's College from Wexford by 1-14 to 1-06 to win the Leinster Championship.[2] Mullen was again in goal when St. Kieran's College faced Thurles CBS in the All-Ireland final on 5 April 2015. He ended the game with a winners' medal following a 1-15 to 1-12 victory.[3]

Mullen was switched from goal to the forwards for the 2016 Leinster Championship. He won a second successive Leinster Championship medal on 27 February 2016 after scoring 1-09 in the 2-12 to 1-11 defeat of Kilkenny CBS.[4] On 28 March, Mullen won a second successive All-Ireland medal when he lined out at right wing-forward when St. Kieran's College defeated Ardscoil Rís from Limerick by 1-15 to 1-13.[5]

Mullen was appointed captain of the team for the 2017 Leinster Championship. On 26 February, he won a third successive Leinster Championship medal after scoring ten points in a 1-14 to 0-13 defeat of Kilkenny CBS in the final.[6] On 25 March, Mullen top scored with 2-02 when St. Kieran's College suffered a 3-13 to 3-11 defeat by Our Lady's Secondary School from Templemore in the All-Ireland final.[7]

After deciding to repeat his Leaving Certificate, Mullen was again eligible for the team for a fourth successive year. On 22 February 2018, he scored 1-02 from left wing-forward when St. Kieran's College were defeated by 1-14 to 1-11 by Dublin North in the Leinster final.[8] He was switched to midfield on 31 March 2018 when he became one of only a small group of players to play in four All-Ireland finals. Mullen scored seven points and collected a third winners' medal following the 5-19 to 3-16 defeat of Presentation College from Athenry.[9]

Ballyhale Shamrocks

Mullen joined the Ballyhale Shamrocks club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels. He enjoyed championship success at minor level before later winning back-to-back championships with the under-21 team.

Mullen made his first senior championship appearance on 17 September 2017 in a first round game against Rower-Inistioge. He scored a point from play in the 2-16 to 0-12 victory.

On 28 October 2018, Mullen scored a point from right wing-forward when Ballyhale Shamrocks defeated Bennettsbridge by 2-20 to 2-17 to win the Kilkenny Championship.[10] He lined out in the same position when Ballyhale faced Ballyboden St. Enda's in the Leinster final. Mullen scored 2-01 from play in the 2-21 to 0-11 victory.[11] He was switched to the left wing-forward position for the All-Ireland final against St. Thomas's on 17 March 2019. Mullen scored five points from play and collected a winners' medal following the 2-28 to 2-11 victory.[12] He ended the season by being named at right wing-forward on the Club Hurling Team of the Year while he was also named Club Hurler of the Year.[13]

On 27 October 2019, Mullen lined out at right wing-forward when Ballyhale Shamrocks faced James Stephens in the Kilkenny Championship final. He scored three points from play and collected a second successive winners' medal after the 2-21 to 1-15 victory.[14] On 1 December 2019, Mullen was again selected at right wing-forward when Ballyhale Shamrocks faced St. Mullin's in the Leinster final. He scored three points from play and collected a second successive provincial winners' medal following the 1-21 to 0-15 victory.[15]

Kilkenny

Minor, under-21 and under-20

Mullen first lined out for Kilkenny as a member of the minor team during the 2016 Leinster Championship. He made his first appearance on 14 May 2016 and scored eight points from right corner-forward in a 2-18 to 1-19 defeat by Dublin.[16]

Mullen was eligible for the minor grade again the following year. On 2 July 2017, he top scored with 1-09 when Kilkenny defeated Dublin by 3-15 to 1-17 to win the Leinster Championship.[17] Mullen ended the season by being included on the inaugural GAA Minor Star Awards Hurling Team of the Year.[18]

On 20 June 2018, Mullen made his first appearance for the Kilkenny under-21 team. He scored two points from left wing-forward in a 1-17 to 3-13 defeat by Galway in the Leinster Championship.[19]

On 24 June 2019, Mullen made his first appearance for Kilkenny's inaugural under-20 team. He scored two goals from left wing-forward in the 1-20 to 0-16 defeat of Laois.[20] On 17 July 2019, Mullen won a Leinster Championship medal as an unused substitute when Kilkenny defeated Wexford by 1-17 to 0-18 in the final.[21]

Senior

Mullen was drafted onto the Kilkenny senior team prior to the start of the 2019 Leinster Championship. He made his first appearance on 11 May 2019 when he lined out at right wing-forward in a 2-23 to 1-21 defeat of Dublin.[22] On 30 June 2019, Mullen scored three points from left wing-forward when Kilkenny suffered a 1-23 to 0-23 defeat by Wexford in the Leinster final.[23] Mullen was selected at right corner-forward for the All-Ireland final against Tipperary on 18 August 2019, however, his participation was in doubt after being hospitalised with an illness in the week leading up to the match.[24] He was declared fit to play but was held scoreless in the 3-25 to 0-20 defeat.[25] Mullen ended the season by being shortlisted for the Young Hurler of the Year award.[26]

On 24 February 2020, it was confirmed that Mullen would miss the rest of the season having torn a knee cruciate ligament in Kilkenny's draw with Clare in Round 4 of the National League.[27]

In 2021, Mullen was named as captain of the Kilkenny team for the 2021 hurling season.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 15 September 2024.
Team Year Kilkenny Leinster All-Ireland Total
Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score
Ballyhale Shamrocks 2017-18 4 1-04 4 1-04
2018-19 4 0-11 2 2-04 2 0-07 8 2-22
2019-20 4 3-10 3 0-05 2 0-02 9 3-17
2020-21 0 0-00 0 0-00
2021-22 2 1-03 3 1-09 2 0-03 7 2-15
2022-23 4 2-12 3 0-10 1 0-01 8 2-23
2023-24 4 2-12 4 2-12
2024-25 1 1-03 1 1-03
Total 23 10-55 11 3-28 7 0-13 41 13-96

Inter-county

As of match played 17 July 2021.
Team Year National League Leinster All-Ireland Total
Division Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score
Kilkenny Minor 2016 1 0-08 1 0-08
2017 4 3-38 1 0-04 5 3-42
Total 5 3-46 1 0-04 6 3-50
Kilkenny U21 2018 1 0-02 1 0-02
Total 1 0-02 1 0-02
Kilkenny U20 2019 2 2-01 0 0-00 2 2-01
Total 2 2-01 0 0-00 2 2-01
Kilkenny 2019 Division 1A 5 1-08 3 0-05 8 1-13
2020 Division 1B 1 0-02 1 0-02
2021 5 0-08 2 0-03 0 0-00 7 0-11
Total 6 0-10 7 1-11 3 0-05 16 1-26
Career total 6 0-10 15 6-60 4 0-09 25 6-79

Honours

St. Kieran's College
Ballyhale Shamrocks
Kilkenny
Awards

References

  1. ^ "10 young Hurlers to watch in 2019". GAA website. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  2. ^ "53rd Leinster colleges hurling title for St Kieran's after today's win over St Peter's". The 42. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  3. ^ Cahill, Jackie (5 April 2015). "Kilkenny school St Kieran's have won their 20th All-Ireland title". The 42. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  4. ^ "A 54th Leinster hurling crown for St Kieran's as they see off Kilkenny CBS". The 42. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  5. ^ Cormican, Eoghan (29 March 2016). "St Kieran's joy as Ardscoil frustrated again". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  6. ^ Spillane, Trevor (26 February 2017). "St Kieran's land third straight Leinster schools senior hurling title with win over local rivals". The 42. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  7. ^ Kane, Conor (25 March 2017). "Our Lady's Templemore come from behind to win first All-Ireland since 1978". The 42. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  8. ^ Keegan, Charlie (22 February 2018). "Dublin North lift first Leinster senior hurling crown with win over Kilkenny's St Kieran's". The 42. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  9. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (31 March 2018). "Galway's Athenry stage incredible comeback to force extra-time, but St Kieran's regain Croke Cup". The 42. Retrieved 14 February 2019.
  10. ^ Breheny, Martin (28 October 2018). "Henry Shefflin launches managerial career as Ballyhale win Kilkenny championship". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  11. ^ Hogan, Vincent (2 December 2018). "Henry Shefflin's Ballyhale sweep aside Ballyboden to claim ninth Leinster club title". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  12. ^ Breheny, Martin (17 March 2019). "Colin Fennelly inspires Ballyhale to All Ireland glory as Henry Shefflin reaches another milestone". Irish Independent. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
  13. ^ "AIB Club Players of the Year". GAA website. 7 April 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  14. ^ Moynihan, Michael (27 October 2019). "Ballyhale Shamrocks too much for James Stephens in Kilkenny SHC final". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  15. ^ Stapleton, Shane (1 December 2019). "No more fairytales for St Mullins as ruthless Ballyhale defend their Leinster crown". The 42. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  16. ^ Mac Lochlainn, Rónán (14 May 2016). "Dublin earn thrilling Leinster minor semi-final victory over Kilkenny". The 42. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  17. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (2 July 2017). "Adrian Mullen, cousin of the Fennelly brothers, hits 1-9 as Cats exact revenge on Dublin". The 42. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  18. ^ "Galway and Cork dominate inaugural minor All Stars awards". RTÉ Sport. 12 September 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  19. ^ "Galway down Cats to book Leinster U-21 final spot". RTÉ Sport. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  20. ^ Hartnett, Alan (24 June 2019). "All-Ireland club winner stars as Kilkenny U20s progress to Leinster semi-final with 26-point win". The 42. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  21. ^ Fagan, Ronan (17 July 2019). "Shefflin goal the difference as DJ Carey's Kilkenny land first provincial title in two years". The 42. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  22. ^ Roche, Frank (11 May 2019). "Depleted Kilkenny overcome half-time deficit and controversy to get the better of the Dubs". Irish Independent. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
  23. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (30 June 2019). "Wexford land first Leinster title in 15 years with thrilling victory over Kilkenny". The 42. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  24. ^ Verney, Michael (18 August 2019). "Young Kilkenny star Adrian Mullen overcomes fitness doubts to start All-Ireland final". Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  25. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (18 August 2019). "Tipperary power to All-Ireland glory to claim 14-point win over Kilkenny". The 42. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  26. ^ "Callanan, Horgan and Reid nominated for Hurler of the Year". Hogan Stand. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  27. ^ Fogarty, John (24 February 2020). "Injury blow for Kilkenny as Adrian Mullen set to miss rest of season". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 24 February 2020.