Johnny Pilkington (born 31 July 1970) is an Irish former hurler who played as a right wing-forward for the Offaly senior hurling team.
Pilkington made his first appearance for the team during the 1988–89 National League and subsequently became a regular member of the starting fifteen until his retirement after the 2001 championship.
After enjoying some success at underage levels, he subsequently joined the Birr senior hurling team.
The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Birr take on Kiltormer of Galway, however, a 0–15 to 1–8 defeat was Pilkington's lot on that occasion.
Dunloy of Antrim were the opponents and provided stiff opposition to a Birr team who were lucky to escape with a 0–9 apiece draw.
Darren Hanniffy scored the only goal of the game after just five minutes and gave Birr a lead that they would never surrender.
[2] Pilington won further championship medals in 2000 and 2001 as Birr retained their status as the kingpins of Offaly hurling.
A Declan Pilkington goal inside sixty seconds was the perfect start, although the Westerners did recover to lead by 1–4 to 1 -2 at the break.
Tipperary provided the opposition on that occasion, however, 2–8 to 0–12 score line gave Pilkington an All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship medal.
Pilkington made his senior debut for Offaly in a National League game against Meath during the 1988–89 campaign.
A 1–19 to 2–11 defeat of Dublin gave Pilkington his second Leinster medal as Offaly completed their first and only hat-trick of provincial titles.
Dooley was told by the management team to take a point; however, he lashed the ball into the Limerick net to reduce the deficit.
Following the puck-out Offaly worked the ball up the field and Pat O'Connor struck for a second goal.
Four minutes from the end substitute Éamonn Taaffe first timed a long range free straight into the net to give Clare a one-point lead.
It looked as if Offaly's championship hopes were in disarray, however, they overcame Antrim in the All-Ireland quarter-final and qualified to meet Clare in the semi-final.
Pilkington's side won the third game and qualified to play Kilkenny in the final in a repeat of the provincial decider.
Offaly surrendered their championship crown the following year but returned to the All-Ireland decider again in 2000 in a repeat of the Leinster final.
[15][16] Pilkington succeeded Ger Coughlan as Offaly minor hurling team manager in late 2007.
His opening game in 2008 saw Offaly face a comprehensive defeat by Carlow, while Westmeath got the better of Pilkington's charges in 2009.