John Finlay (10 June 1889 – 30 September 1942) was an Irish athlete who played hurling for Laois in the 1910s and in later life was a politician.

They moved to senior level the following year and proceeded to win five county championships in-a-row with Finlay as captain.

After winning the county title in 1914 the club had a major say in the selection of the inter-county team for the following year.

That year Laois defeated Offaly, Kilkenny and Dublin to win the Leinster Championship.

Finlay became the only player from Laois to captain an All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winning team.