Patrick Phelan (16 September 1910 – 7 December 1971) was an Irish hurler who played as a left wing-back for the Kilkenny senior team.
Phelan represented the Leinster inter-provincial team for a remarkable thirteen years, winning four Railway Cup medals in 1932, 1933, 1936 and 1941.
It was also suggested at a meeting of Council that both teams be declared joint champions and that half an All-Ireland medal be given to each player.
As the All-Ireland saga went to a third meeting on 1 November 1931, Kilkenny's inspirational captain Lory Meagher was ruled out of the game because of broken ribs sustained in the first replay.
[4] Kilkenny retained their provincial crown in 1932, with Phelan adding a second Leinster medal to his collection following a 4–6 to 3–5 defeat of Dublin.
The All-Ireland final on 3 September 1933 saw a record crowd of 45,176 travel to Croke Park to see Kilkenny face and up-and-coming Limerick.
After being level at the interval, the game remained close in the second half until a solo-run goal by Johnny Dunne sealed a 1–7 to 0–6 victory.
At the beginning of the second-half Lory Meagher sent over a huge point from midfield giving Kilkenny a lead which they wouldn't surrender.
The lure of a Kilkenny-Limerick clash brought a record crowd of over 50,000 to Croke Park for the All-Ireland decider on 6 September 1936.
Kilkenny had been in decline for a number of seasons, however, a 5–3 to 2–4 defeat of provincial final debutantes Westmeath game Phelan his sixth Leinster medal.
Tipp gave a tour de force performance and recorded a 3–11 to 0–3 victory in one of the most one-sided championship deciders ever.
Phelan secured an eighth Leinster medal in 1940, as Kilkenny retained their provincial crown following a 3–6 to 2–5 defeat of Dublin.
The subsequent All-Ireland decider on 1 September 1940 brought Kilkenny and Limerick together for the last great game between the two outstanding teams of the decade.
Early in the second half Kilkenny took a four-point lead, however, once Mick Mackey was deployed at midfield he proceeded to dominate the game.
In 1941 and 1942 Phelan was denied a ninth Leinster medal as Dublin defeated Kilkenny in back-to-back provincial deciders.
The province made it two in a row the following year, and a 4–6 to 3–6 defeat of Munster gave Phelan a second Railway Cup medal.
For example, more than a decade after his death, Phelan was recognised during the Gaelic Athletic Association's centenary year in 1984 when he was chosen at left wing-back on the Hurling Team of the Century.