John Cleary (Gaelic footballer)

John Cleary
Personal information
Native name
Seán Ó Cléirigh (Irish)
Born (1963-06-20) 20 June 1963
OccupationInsurance broker
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Sport
SportGaelic football
PositionLeft corner-forward
Club
Years Club
1979-1999
Castlehaven
Club titles
Cork titles 2
Munster titles 3
Inter-county*
Years County Apps (scores)
1983-1993
Cork 21 (4-48)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 3
All-Irelands 2
NFL 1
All Stars 0
*Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 14:22, 30 July 2015.

John Cleary (born 20 June 1963) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer who played as a left corner-forward at senior level for the Cork county team.

Born in Castlehaven, County Cork, Cleary first arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Cork minor team before later joining the under-21 side. He made his senior debut during the 1983 championship. Cleary immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen and won two All-Ireland medals, three Munster medals and one National Football League medal. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on three occasions.

Cleary was a member of the Munster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions but never won a Railway Cup medal. At club level he is a three-time Munster medallist with Castlehaven. In addition to this Cleary also on two championship medals.

Cleary's sister, Nollaig Cleary, and his brother-in-law, Niall Cahalane, are also All-Ireland medallists with Cork.

Throughout his career Cleary made 21 championship appearances. He retired from inter-county football following the conclusion of the 1993 championship.

In retirement from playing Cleary became involved in team management and coaching. He is an All-Ireland-winning manager and selector with the Cork under-21 team while he also had championship success as a selector with Castlehaven.