Mark Ellis (hurler)

Mark Ellis (born 26 August 1990) is an Irish hurler who plays as a centre-back for the Cork senior team.^[1]

Born in Millstreet, County Cork, Ellis first excelled at hurling whilst at school in Millstreet Community School. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of nineteen when he first linked up with the Cork under-21 team, before later lining out with the intermediate side. He made his senior debut in the 2013 National Hurling League.^[2] Ellis later became a regular member of the starting fifteen and has won one Munster medal.

In 2014, Ellis played at centre-back on the Cork team that won the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, defeating Limerick 2-24 to 0-24 in the last game at Páirc Uí Chaoïmh before its refurbishment.

At club level Ellis plays hurling and Gaelic football with Millstreet.

Playing career

Schools

While attending Millstreet Community School Ellis was picked for the Cork vocational schools hurling team in 2008. He won his first All-Ireland medal that year as Cork withheld a late Galway challenge to claim a 2-14 to 3-10 victory.^[3]

Ellis won a second All-Ireland medal in 2009 as a non-playing substitute in 2009, as Cork defeated Offaly by 4-11 to 2-12 to take the vocational title for a fifth successive year.^[4]

Club

As a member of the Duhallow under-21 team, Ellis enjoyed the ultimate success in 2009. A defeat of Ballinhassig in the county decider game him a championship medal in that grade. Mark also plays football and was a key member of the Millstreet team that won the County Junior Football title in 2014.

Inter-county

Ellis first played for Cork with the under-21 team, however, he enjoyed little success in this grade.

In 2010 Ellis was a key member of the Cork intermediate team. He won a Munster medal that year as Cork defeated Waterford by 0-15 to 0-13.^[5] Cork later faced Kilkenny in the All-Ireland decider, however, a 2-17 to 1-13 defeat was Ellis's lot on that occasion.^[6]

Ellis had been close to the Cork senior team in 2011, however, it took another two years before he made his debut during the National Hurling League. He was later included on Cork's championship panel, however, he was an unused substitute for the whole campaign, including Cork's All-Ireland final draw and replay defeat.^[7][8]

On 25 May 2014 Ellis made his senior championship debut in a 1-21 apiece draw with Waterford in the Munster quarter-final.^[9] He later won his first Munster medal as goals by Séamus Harnedy and Paudie O'Sullivan gave Cork a 2-24 to 0-24 victory over Limerick.^[10] Ellis is the first Millstreet club member to win a senior Munster accolade in hurling.

Honours

Team

Duhallow

• Cork Under-21 Hurling Championship (1): 2009

Cork

• Munster Senior Hurling Championship (1): 2014
• Munster Intermediate Hurling Championship (1): 2010
• All-Ireland Vocational Schools Hurling Championship (1): 2008, 2009

References