John Gardiner (hurler)

John Gardiner is an Irish retired hurler, born in 1983, who played club hurling for Na Piarsaigh and spent 11 seasons with the Cork senior hurling team, usually as a right wing-back. A commanding and combative defender, he was part of a dominant half-back line with Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Ronan Curran. After an All-Ireland minor title in 2001 and three seasons with the under-21 team he joined the senior panel in 2002, made 104 league and championship appearances and won All-Ireland titles in 2004 and 2005 along with three Munster medals. He won an All-Star in 2005, was chosen Hurler of the Year by the Gaelic Players Association, captained Munster to Railway Cup medals in 2005 and 2007, and won the 2004 Cork Senior Championship with Na Piarsaigh. He retired from inter-county hurling in 2012.