Benny Dunne (born 22 September 1980) is an Irish hurler who played as a midfielder for the Tipperary senior team.
After losing the Munster final to Waterford Dunne's side subsequently exited the championship at the hands of eventual champions Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final.
The team exited the provincial championship at an early stage, however, they still reached the All-Ireland semi-final where they were trounced by Kilkenny for the second consecutive year.
In an exciting game Tipp emerged victorious by 3–18 to 3–16 and Dunne collected his first National League winners' medal.
[11] At the start of 2009 Tipperary were regarded as the main challengers to Kilkenny's assault on the four-in-a-row of All-Ireland championship titles.
Dunne's side had a good lead at the interval, however, the Decies fought back to narrow the deficit and maybe cause an upset.
After a six-week lay-off and a facile semi-final win over Limerick, Tipp qualified for an All-Ireland final meeting with Kilkenny.
Two quick goals in the space of a minute, one from a penalty by Henry Shefflin, sealed a 2–22 to 0–23 victory and defeat for Tipperary.
Furthermore, Dunne only lasted seven minutes on the field as he was shown a straight red card for a wild pull on Tommy Walsh.
The qualifiers beckoned and, after victories over Wexford, Offaly, Galway and Waterford, Tipperary reached a second consecutive All-Ireland final.
Tipperary got off to a great start as Kilkenny's star forward Henry Shefflin had to leave the field with an injury.
A hat-trick of goals by Lar Corbett and a fourth by Noel McGrath denied Kilkenny's drive-for-five and secured a remarkable 4–17 to 1–18 victory.