James Treacy (born 1943) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a left corner-back for the Kilkenny senior team.
[4] Staunch local rivals Tipperary later provided the opposition in the All-Ireland final, however, Kilkenny were the pundits' favourites to retain the title.
In spite of this two goals by Colm Sheehan and a third from John O'Halloran gave Cork a merited 3–9 to 1–10 victory over an Eddie Keher-inspired Kilkenny.
It was another successful year as the team continued their provincial dominance with Treacy picking up a third Leinster title before lining out in a third All-Ireland final at Croke Park.
Tipperary were Kilkenny's opponents on the day, however, by this stage Tipp's pool of players was ageing and the county's hurling fortunes were in decline.
Goals from Paddy Moran, Martin Brennan and Tom Walsh at vital times laid to rest a bogey that Tipperary had over Kilkenny since 1922.
Treacy had finally captured his first All-Ireland winners' medal on the field of play, while he also had the honour of collecting the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
Wexford put an end to Kilkenny's hopes of retaining the title in 1968, however, the Noresiders bounced back the following year with Treacy collecting a fourth Leinster medal.
For a while it looked as if the Leesiders would triumph over their great rivals once again, however, five points from Kilkenny in the last seven minutes gave Treacy a second All-Ireland title.
As the first All-Ireland final to be broadcast by Telefís Éireann in colour, the nation saw Eddie Keher score a remarkable 2–11 and still end up on the losing side.
The Leinster championship posed little difficulty for Kilkenny again in 1973 and Treacy collected a sixth provincial medal as Wexford were defeated once again.
Wexford were once again narrowly defeated by Kilkenny in the 1974 Leinster final, giving Treacy an eighth provincial title.
In a repeat of the previous year Limerick provided the opposition in the All-Ireland final, however, revenge was foremost in the minds of Kilkenny supporters.