Daniel Quigley (born 1944) is an Irish retired hurling coach and former player who enjoyed a successful career as a full-back and as a centre-back with the Wexford senior team.
Born in Donard, County Wexford, Quigley was introduced to hurling in his youth. He enjoyed All-Ireland success at colleges level with St. Peter's College while simultaneously enjoying championship successes at underage levels with the Rathnure club. A three-time Leinster medal winner with the Rathnure senior team, Quigley also won nine championship medals.
Quigley made his debut on the inter-county scene when he first linked up with the Wexford minor team. After little success in this grade, he later won an All-Ireland medal with the under-21 team. Quigley made his senior debut during the 1962–63 league. He went on to play a key role for Wexford in defence during a successful era, and won one All-Ireland medal, three Leinster medals and one National Hurling League medal. An All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions, Quigley captained the team to All-Ireland victory in 1968.
As a member of the Leinster inter-provincial team, Quigley won three Railway Cup medals. Throughout his inter-county career he made 20 championship appearances. Quigley retired from inter-county hurling following the conclusion of the 1972 championship.
Quigley's brothers – Pat, John, Jimmy and Martin – also played with distinction at all levels with Wexford.
Regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time, Quigley was named as the Texaco Hurler of the Year in 1968. He was also chosen as one of the 125 greatest hurlers of all time in a 2009 poll.
In retirement from playing Quigley became involved in team management and coaching at all levels with Rathnure.
Playing career
College
During his schooling at St. Peter's College, Quigley established himself as a key member of the senior hurling team. In 1962 he won a Leinster medal following a 4–3 to 1–4 defeat of Kilkenny CBS. On 6 May 1962 St. Peter's faced Ennis CBS in the All-Ireland decider. A 4–11 to 2–4 victory gave Quigley an All-Ireland medal.
Club
Quigley was only seventeen years-old when he won his first championship medal at senior level following a defeat of St. Aidan's Enniscorthy. After a period of decline he won a second championship medal in 1967.
In 1971 Quigley added a third championship medal to his collection as Rathnure defeated Enniscorthy District to take the title. He later won a Leinster medal as Rathnure defeated a disappointing Bennettsbridge by 2–12 to 1–8. On 14 May 1972 Rathnure faced Blackrock of Cork in the All-Ireland decider. Quigley top scored for Rathnure with 2–4 as they fought back from being 12 points in arrears, however, Pat Moylan's goal secured a 5–13 to 6–9 victory for Blackrock.
Rathnure retained the title in 1972 following a 1–17 to 1–8 defeat of Rapparees before making it three-in-a-row in 1973 with a 2–7 to 1–7 defeat of Buffers Alley. Quigley subsequently secured a second Leinster medal following a 1–18 to 2–9 defeat of St. Rynagh's. On 17 March 1974 Rathnure faced old rivals Blackrock in the All-Ireland final. A tour de force by Quigley saw him score 3–6 in a 3–11 to 2–14 draw. The replay on 28 April 1974 was also a close affair. As Rathnure looked to be heading for victory, Éamonn O'Donoghue and Donie Collins scored two late goals to secure a 3–8 to 1–9 victory for Blackrock.
Quigley won a sixth championship medal in 1974 as his 1–3 helped Rathnure to a 2–8 to 1–5 defeat of Oulart-the Ballagh and fourth successive title.
In 1977 Quigley won a seventh championship medal as Buffers Alley were accounted for in the decider. He later claimed a third Leinster medal as Fenians were defeated by 0–16 to 1–10 in the provincial decider. On 27 March 1978 Rathnure faced St. Finbarr's of Cork in the All-Ireland final. Rathnure had an 0–8 to 0–1 half-time lead thanks to a gale-force wind, however, Barry Wiley scored the equaliser for St. Finbarr's with just ten minutes left to play. A Jimmy Barry-Murphy goal from a rebound sealed the title and resulted in a third All-Ireland final defeat for Quigley.
Quigley finished off his club career by winning back-to-back championship medals in 1979 and 1980 following defeats of Faythe Harriers and Buffers Alley respectively.
Inter-county
Quigley first enjoyed success as the full-back on the inaugural Wexford under-21 team. He won his first Leinster medal in 1964 as Laois were defeated by 4–7 to 2–2. On 4 October 1964 Wexford faced Tipperary in the All-Ireland final. A tally of 2–2 for Babs Keating helped Tipperary to an easy 8–9 to 3–1 victory.