Jer Norberg

Jer Norberg (1873, Ballinlough, Cork – ?) was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1893 until 1896.

Playing career

Inter-county

Norberg first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with Cork as part of the Blackrock selection in 1893. That year he lined out in his first provincial decider with Limerick providing the opposition. An easy victory game developed and at full-time Cork were the champions by 5-3 to 2-5.^[1] It was Norberg's first Munster title. Kilkenny provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland final. Cork won the game on probably the most unsuitable playing field in hurling history. After someone had neglected to get the grass cut at Ashtown, both teams moved to the Phoenix Park were the game took place. A 6-8 to 0-2 victory gave Norberg a coveted All-Ireland title.^[2]

For a second consecutive year in 1894 Norberg was selected for championship duty with Cork. An easy 3-4 to 1-2 defeat of Tipperary in the provincial decider gave him a second consecutive Munster winners' title.^[3] For the second time in three years Dublin provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland final. The game turned into an absolute rout as Cork won easily by 5-20 to 2-0. Norberg collected his second All-Ireland winners' title.^[4]

Hurling ancestry

Norberg's grandson, Frank Norberg, also played hurling with Cork. He captained the team to Munster honours in 1972, however, Kilkenny subsequently defeated Cork in a classic All-Ireland final.

Honours

Cork

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: 3
  • Winner (2): 1893, 1894
• Munster Senior Hurling Championship: 3
  • Winner (2): 1893, 1894
  • Runner-up (1): 1896

Sources

• Corry, Eoghan, The GAA Book of Lists (Hodder Headline Ireland, 2005).
• Cronin, Jim, A Rebel Hundred: Cork's 100 All-Ireland Titles.
• Donegan, Des, The Complete Handbook of Gaelic Games (DBA Publications Limited, 2005).

References