Patrick Horgan's early years, as charted by The Echo

The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there – certainly, LP Hartley’s aphorism could apply in terms of Patrick Horgan breaking into the public consciousness more than two decades ago.

A local paper has the benefit of usually being the first to note the first flowering and so it was that the issue of May 29, 2001 carried the headline of “Joy for Glen lads in double success”, one of which was an U13 hurling league win over Na Piarsaigh. 

In what was described as “a high-scoring encounter”, the Glen had “Patrick Horgan, Denis O’Callaghan, Conor Dorris and Darren Lynam were in top form. Kevin Barry, with four goals, was ably assisted by Stephen Higgins.”

Various mentions followed in the subsequent years before 2004 saw the talented young forward really come to the fore. The report of the Glen’s county U16 final win over Carrigaline featured quotes with Ian Lynam – still involved in coaching Horgan at club level – which illustrated his growing importance.

“After a quarter of an hour, all the ball was coming down the left side of the field, he was inside and there was no ball going into him,” Lyname said.

“So, we had to do something and we brought him out wing-forward. He brought us back into the game at a time when we were struggling to get scores. There was a quarter of an hour gone, but once we brought him out then, we seemed to get more control of the ball and drove on from there.”

Nowadays, a 16-year-old would be prevented from playing at U21 level but there were no such resrictions in 2004 and, in the county semi-final against Duhallow, Horgan scored 1-7. After coming on as a sub.

As outlined by Barry O’Donovan, that haul included the equaliser after Duhallow had gone ahead with a late goal: “Amidst the jumping and shouting, Glen keeper Andrew Goulding intelligently launched a last-gasp attack, resulting in a free out on the right. Sixteen-year-old Patrick Horgan showed composure beyond his years to send the puck straight over and force a reply.

CLINICAL

“The youngster’s class was evident through the points clinically dispatched from placed balls and the brilliant simplicity of his goal.”

Starting the replay, which the Glen won by 6-14 to 4-7, he scored 2-7 (2-5 from play) and was also to the fore as they beat Na Piarsaigh in the city final. While the Glen would lose the delayed county final against Erin’s Own, a legend had been born.

That was made official in early February 2005, as noted by John Horgan under the headline, “Glen’s Horgan joins elite”.

One of Cork’s most promising young hurlers, Patrick Horgan from Glen Rovers, has been awarded the Christy Ring Trophy as the best U16 player in the county.

“Horgan had a memorable year with the Glen, receiving the man of the match award in the Seandún U21 final after scoring 1-8 in the victory over Na Piarsaigh.

“He was also a hugely influential member of the Glen side that won the U16 county title.

“He also joins an illustrious list of other former winners which includes Tony O’Sullivan in 1979, Brian Corcoran in 1989, Joe Deane 1993, Ben O’Connor 1995 and Tomás O’Leary in 1999.

“He was presented with the award by county juvenile chairman Tony O’Mahony and vice-chairman Robin Murray.

“There is no doubt that he is a worthy winner of the award and for one so young he has set down a firm early marker.

“An excellent free-taker, he is likely to figure on the Glen senior team sooner rather than later and is another one of the bright young prospects that this great club are pinning their hopes on for the future.”