View source for Andy Comerford

{{Short description|Irish hurling player & manager}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox Gaelic Athletic Association player
| code= Hurling
| sport = Hurling
| image =
| name = Andy Comerford
| irish = Andrias Comartún|
| fullname = Andrew Comerford|
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1972|10|10}}
| birth_place = [[London]], England
| feet = 6
| inches = 2
| occupation = Mason
| nickname =
| county = Kilkenny
| province = Leinster
| club = [[O'Loughlin Gaels GAA|O'Loughlin Gaels]]<br>[[Brothers Pearse GAA|Brothers Pearse]]
| clposition = Midfield
| clubs =
| clyears = 
| clapps(points) =
| clcounty = 2
| clprovince= 1
| clallireland = 0
| colleges = [[Waterford IT GAA|Waterford Regional Technical College]]
| fitz = 1
| icposition = Midfield
| counties = [[London GAA|London]]<br>[[Kilkenny GAA|Kilkenny]]
| icyears = 1994-1995<br>1996-2003 
| icapps(points) = 1 (0-00)<br>23 (2-21)
| icprovince = 6
| icallireland = 3
| nhl = 2
| allstars = 2
| clupdate=
| icupdate= 22:10, 3 December 2019
}}
'''Andrew James Comerford''' (born 10 October 1972) is an Irish retired [[List of hurling managers|hurling manager]] and former [[hurling|player]] who played for [[Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship|Kilkenny Senior Championship]] club [[O'Loughlin Gaels GAA|O'Loughlin Gaels]]. He played for the [[London GAA|London]] and [[Kilkenny senior hurling team]]s for nearly a decade, during which time he usually lined out at midfield or centre-forward.

Comerford began his hurling career at junior club level with [[O'Loughlin Gaels GAA|O'Loughlin Gaels]]. After a brief spell with the [[Brothers Pearse GAA|Brothers Pearse]] club in [[London]], he returned to O'Loughlin Gaels and enjoyed his first success as a member of the [[Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship|1996 Kilkenny Intermediate Championship]]-winning team and promotion to the top flight of Kilkenny hurling. Comerford later captained the club to the [[Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship|Leinster Club Championship]] in [[2003-04 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship|2003]] as well as two [[Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship|Kilkenny Senior Championship]]s in [[2001 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship|2001]] and [[2003 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship|2003]]. He made numerous championship appearances in three different grades of hurling for the club, while his early prowess also saw him selected for the [[Waterford IT GAA|Waterford Regional Technical College]], with whom he won a [[Fitzgibbon Cup]] title..

At inter-county level, Comerford was part of the successful Kilkenny minor team that won the [[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|All-Ireland Championship]] in [[1990 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|1990]] before later winning a [[Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship|Leinster Championship]] with the under-21 team in [[1993 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship|1993]]. A two-year tenure with the London senior team yielded an [[All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship|All-Ireland B Championship]] in [[1995 All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship|1995]]. Comerford joined the Kilkenny senior team in 1996. From his debut, he was a regular at midfield, centre-forward or wing-forward and made a combined total of 53 League and Championship appearances in a career that ended with his last game in [[2003 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final|2003]]. During that time Comerford was part of three [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland Championship]]-winning teams – in [[2000 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2000]], as captain of the team in [[2002 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2002]] and as a substitute in [[2003 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|2003]]. He also secured six successive [[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster Championship]] medals and two [[National Hurling League]] medals.

Comerford won his first [[GAA All Stars Awards|All-Star]] in [[List of All Stars Awards winners (hurling)#1999|1999]], before claiming a second successive award in [[List of All Stars Awards winners (hurling)#2000|2000]]. At inter-provincial level, he was selected to play with [[Leinster GAA|Leinster]] on a number of occasions, with his sole [[Railway Cup]] medal being won in [[2002 Railway Cup Hurling Championship|2002]].

In retirement from playing, Comerford became involved in team management and coaching. At inter-county level he took charge of the [[Kildare senior hurling team]], while he enjoyed championship success with O'Loughlin Gaels at club level.

==Playing career==
===St. Kieran's College===
[[File:StKierans2006-07-10.jpg|thumb|left|165px|[[St. Kieran's College]].]]
During his secondary schooling at [[St. Kieran's College]] in [[Kilkenny]], Comerford played in all grades of hurling before joining the college's senior hurling team in his final two years. On 15 April 1989, he lined out at right wing-forward when St. Kieran's College drew 1-07 apiece with Birr CBS in the [[Leinster Colleges Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster final]]. Comerford retained his position for the replay a week later and claimed his first [[Leinster Colleges Senior Hurling Championship|winners' medal]] following the 2–11 to 1–09 victory. On 7 May 1989, he won an [[Dr. Croke Cup|All-Ireland medal]] after scoring a vital goal from right wing-forward in the 3–05 to 1–09 defeat of [[St. Flannan's College]] in the final.

On 1 April 1990, Comerford won a second successive Leinster Championship medal after a 2–09 to 1–07 defeat of local rivals [[CBS Kilkenny|Kilkenny CBS]] in the final. On 16 May 1990, he lined out at right wing-forward in a second successive All-Ireland final. Comerford scored three points from play and claimed a second successive winners' medal after the 2–10 to 0–07 defeat of St. Flannan's College.

===Waterford Regional Technical College===

As a student at the [[Waterford Institute of Technology|Waterford Regional Technical College]], Comerford was a regular on the [[Waterford IT GAA|college senior hurling team]]. On 8 March 1992, he was listed amongst the substitutes when Waterford RTC faced the [[University of Limerick]] in the [[Fitzgibbon Cup|Fitzgibbon Cup final]]. Comerford scored two points after coming on as a substitute and claimed a [[Fitzgibbon Cup|winners' medal]] after the 1–19 to 1–08 victory.

===Brothers Pearse===

During his time in [[London]], Comerford joined the [[Brothers Pearse GAA|Brothers Pearse]] club. On 24 September 1995, he lined out at centre-back when Brothers Pearse faced [[St. Gabriel's GAA|St. Gabriel's]] in the [[London Senior Hurling Championship|final]], but ended the game on the losing side following a 3–07 to 0–12 defeat.

===O'Loughlin Gaels===
[[File:O'Loughlin Gaels GAA Club - geograph.org.uk - 555256.jpg|300px|thumb|St. John's Park, the [[O'Loughlin Gaels GAA|O'Loughlin Gaels]] grounds.]]
Comerford joined the [[O'Loughlin Gaels GAA|O'Loughlin Gaels]] club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels. After returning from [[London]], he joined the club's intermediate team at the start of the [[Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship|1996 Kilkenny Championship]]. On 20 October 1996, Comerford lined out at midfield when O'Loughlin Gaels faced [[Graignamanagh GAA|Graignamanagh]] in the championship final. He ended the game with a [[Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship|winners' medal]] following the 2–13 to 2–08 victory.

On 15 October 2000, Comerford lined out at centre-back when O'Loughlin Gaels qualified to play [[Graigue-Ballycallan GAA|Graigue-Ballycallan]] in the [[2000 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship#Final|Kilkenny Senior Championship final]]. He ended the game on the losing side following the 0–16 to 0–09 defeat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/graigueballycallan-pointedly-superior-26106829.html|title=Graigue-Ballycallan pointedly superior|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=16 October 2000|access-date=22 October 2018}}</ref>

Comerford was appointed captain of the O'Loughin Gaels senior team prior to the start of the [[2001 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship|2001 Kilkenny Championship]]. On 14 October 2001, he captained the team to a second successive [[2001 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship#Final|final]] appearance against Graigue-Ballycallan. Comerford ended the game with a [[Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship|winners' medal]] following a 1–17 to 1–06 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/gaels-blow-up-a-storm-to-capture-first-crown-26071058.html|title=Gaels blow up a storm to capture first crown|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=15 October 2001|access-date=7 October 2018|first=Vincent|last=Hogan}}</ref>

On 26 October 2003, Comerford captained O'Loughlin Gaels to a [[2003 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship#Final|final]] appearance against [[Young Irelands GAA (Gowran)|Young Irelands]]. He lined out at centre-back in the 3–09 to 2–12 draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/skehans-late-strike-halts-gowran-charge-25928064.html|title=Skehan's late strike halts Gowran charge|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=27 October 2003|access-date=7 October 2018}}</ref> On 2 November 2003, Comerford won a second winners' medal after captaining the team to a 2–12 to 2–10 victory in the replay.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/cummins-snatches-victory-for-gaels-1.388883|title=Cummins snatches victory for Gaels|newspaper=Irish Times|date=3 November 2003|access-date=7 October 2018}}</ref> On 30 November 2003, he won a [[Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship|Leinster Championship]] medal after captaining O'Loughlin Gaels to a 0–15 to 0–09 defeat of [[Birr GAA|Birr]] in the final.

On 5 November 2006, Comerford once again captained O'Loughlin Gaels when they qualified to play [[Ballyhale Shamrocks GAA|Ballyhale Shamrocks]] in the [[2006 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship#Final|final]]. He ended the game on the losing side after a 1–22 to 2–11 defeat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/match-reports/shamrocks-reign-supreme-as-king-henry-punishes-gaels-17552.html|title=Shamrocks reign supreme as King Henry punishes Gaels|newspaper=Irish Examiner|date=6 November 2006|access-date=7 October 2018|first=Diarmuid|last=O'Flynn}}</ref>

===London===

Comerford joined the [[London GAA|London senior hurling team]] in advance of the [[1994 All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship|1994 All-Ireland B Championship]]. He made his first appearance for the team on 3 July 1994 when he lined out at midfield in the [[1994 All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship#Final|All-Ireland final]] against [[Roscommon GAA|Roscommon]]. Comerford ended the game on the losing side following a 1–10 to 1–09 defeat.

On 2 July 1995, Comerford lined out at midfield in a second successive [[1995 All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship#Final|All-Ireland final]]. He ended the game with a [[All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship|winners' medal]] following the 2–07 to 0–08 defeat of [[Wicklow GAA|Wicklow]] in what was his last game for London.

===Kilkenny===
====Minor and under-21====

Comerford first lined out for [[Kilkenny GAA|Kilkenny]] as a member of the minor team during the [[1990 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#Leinster Minor Hurling Championship|1990 Leinster Championship]]. On 8 July 1990, he was listed amongst the substitutes when Kilkenny faced [[Laois GAA|Laois]] in the [[1990 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#Leinster Minor Hurling Championship|Leinster final]], however, he was introduced as a 36th-minute substitute for team captain [[James McDermott (hurler)|James McDermott]] at midfield. Comerford scored three points and claimed a [[Leinster Minor Hurling Championship|winners' medal]] following the 3–15 to 0–15 victory. On 2 September 1990, he lined out at centre-forward when Kilkenny qualified to play [[Cork GAA|Cork]] in the [[1990 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|All-Ireland final]] but was held scoreless in the 3-14 apiece draw. Comerford retained his place on the starting fifteen for the replay on 30 September 1990, however, he was switched to right wing-forward. He scored two points from play and claimed an [[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|All-Ireland medal]] after the 3–16 to 0–11 victory.

Comerford was added to the Kilkenny under-21 team in advance of the [[1993 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship|1993 Leinster Championship]]. On 31 July 1993, he won a [[Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship|Leinster Championship]] medal after scoring two points from right wing-forward in the 4–13 to 2–07 defeat of [[Wexford GAA|Wexford]] in the final. Comerford retained his position at right wing-forward for the [[1993 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship Final|All-Ireland final]] on 12 September 1993. He was held scoreless in the 2–14 to 3–11 draw. Comerford was switched to midfield for the replay on 3 October 1993, however, he ended the game on the losing side after a 2–09 to 3–03 defeat.

====Senior====

Comerford was added to the Kilkenny senior hurling panel during the [[Oireachtas Cup|1996 Oireachtas Cup]]. On 1 December 1996, he claimed his first silverware at senior level when he won an [[Oireachtas Cup]] medal after lining out at left wing-forward in the 0–11 to 1–04 defeat of [[Clare GAA|Clare]].

On 9 March 1997, Comerford made his first appearance in the [[1997 National Hurling League|National League]] when he lined out at centre-forward in a 3–08 to 2–10 defeat by [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]]. He made his [[1997 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster Championship]] debut on 22 June 1997 when he scored two points from play in the 2–20 to 2–13 defeat of [[Dublin GAA|Dublin]]. On 13 July 1997, Comerford scored a point from midfield when Kilkenny suffered a 2–14 to 1–11 defeat by Wexford in the [[1997 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster final]].

On 5 July 1998, Comerford was selected amongst the substitutes when Kilkenny qualified to play Offaly in the [[1998 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster final]]. He was introduced as a substitute for [[John Dooley (hurler)|John Dooley]] and collected a [[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|winners' medal]] after scoring a point from play in the 3–10 to 1–11 victory. On 13 September 1998, Comerford was back on the starting fifteen and lined out at centre-forward when Kilkenny once again faced Offaly in the [[1998 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final|All-Ireland final]]. He scored a point from play before being substituted in the 2–16 to 1–13 defeat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/offaly-silence-the-back-door-knockers-26174142.html|title=Offaly silence the 'back door' knockers|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=14 September 1998|access-date=18 July 2019|first=Eugene|last=McGee}}</ref>

On 11 July 1999, Comerford won his second Leinster Championship medal after scoring a point from midfield in the 5–14 to 1–16 defeat of Offaly in the [[1999 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|final]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/1999/0711/2473-gaa/|title=GAA: Kilkenny wins Leinster Hurling Final|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=11 July 1999|access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref> On 12 September 1999, he was again selected at midfield when Kilkenny qualified for a first [[1999 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final|All-Ireland final]]-meeting with Cork in seven years. He scored two points from play but ended the game on the losing side after a 0–13 to 0–12 defeat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/1999/0912/3317-gaa/|title=All-Ireland Hurling Final: Cork 0-13 Kilkenny 0-12|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=13 September 1999|access-date=20 June 2014}}</ref> Comerford ended the season by winning his first [[GAA All Stars Awards|All-Star]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/1999/1202/146869-gaa1/|title=GAA: Six Hurling All-Stars for Cork|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=14 July 2007|access-date=20 June 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Brian Cody.jpg|left|thumb|160px|[[Brian Cody]] managed Comerford to his three [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland Championship]] wins.]]

Comerford lined out in a third consecutive [[2000 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster final]] on 9 July 2000. He scored a point from midfield and claimed a third consecutive winners' medal after the 2–21 to 1–13 defeat of Offaly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/kilkenny-power-past-passionless-offaly-26113446.html|title=Kilkenny power past passionless Offaly|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=10 July 2000|access-date=20 June 2014}}</ref> Comerford made his third consecutive [[2000 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final|All-Ireland final]] appearance on 10 September 2000, with Offaly once again providing the opposition. He scored a point from play and collected his first [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland medal]] after the 5–15 to 1–14 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/goal-hungry-kilkenny-play-cat-and-mouse-with-offaly-26108846.html|title=Goal hungry Kilkenny play Cat and mouse with Offaly|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=11 September 2000|access-date=20 June 2014|first=Martin|last=Breheny}}</ref> He ended the season by winning a second successive All-Star award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/article/index/34625|title=Hurling All Stars for 2000|publisher=Hogan Stand|date=1 December 2000|access-date=20 June 2014}}</ref>

On 8 July 2001, Carey made his fourth successive appearance in a [[2001 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster final]]. Lining out at midfield he collected a fourth winners' medal after the 2–19 to 0–12 defeat of Wexford.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/kilkenny-devour-wexford-in-game-of-cat-and-mouse-26079622.html|title=Kilkenny devour Wexford in game of cat and mouse|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=9 July 2001|access-date=6 December 2014|first=Martin|last=Breheny}}</ref>

Comerford was appointed [[List of Kilkenny senior hurling team captains|captain]] of the Kilkenny senior team at the start of the 2002 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/martin-comerford-to-captain-cats-135894.html|title=Martin Comerford to captain Cats|newspaper=Irish Examiner|date=25 February 2004|access-date=29 October 2008}}</ref> On 5 May 2002, he captained Kilkenny to a [[2002 National Hurling League#Knock-out stage|National League final]] appearance against Cork. Comerford scored two points from left wing-forward and collected a [[National Hurling League|winners' medal]] following the 2–15 to 2–14 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/cats-toast-dramatic-win-over-cork-48996.html|title=Cats toast dramatic win over Cork|date=5 May 2002|newspaper=Irish Examiner|access-date=20 January 2019}}</ref> On 7 July 2002, Comerford captained Kilkenny to a fifth successive Leinster Championship title after a 0–19 to 0–17 defeat of fourteen-man Wexford.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/other/kilkenny-0-19-wexford-0-17-match-report-58789.html|title=Kilkenny 0-19 Wexford 0-17 - match report|publisher=Breaking News|date=7 July 2002|access-date=6 December 2014}}</ref> On 8 September 2002, Comerford captained Kilkenny to an [[2002 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final|All-Ireland final]] appearance against Clare. He ended the game with a second winners' medal and the honour of lifting the [[Liam MacCarthy Cup]] following the 2–20 to 0–19 victory.

On 5 May 2003, Comerford won a second successive National League medal as a non-playing substitute after Kilkenny's 5–14 to 5–13 defeat of [[Tipperary GAA|Tipperary]] in the [[2003 National Hurling League#Knock-out stage|National League final]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/stunning-kilkenny-snatch-and-grab-raid-25945806.html|title=Stunning Kilkenny snatch and grab raid|date=6 May 2003|newspaper=Irish Independent|access-date=1 August 2014}}</ref> On 6 July 2003, he won his sixth successive Leinster Championship medal - albeit as an unused substitute - following the 2–23 to 2–12 defeat of Wexford in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/hurling/2003/0706/173841-kilkenny/|title=Rampant Kilkenny retain Leinster crown|date=6 July 2003|publisher=RTÉ Sport|access-date=24 November 2014}}</ref> On 7 September 2003, Comerford was listed amongst the substitutes when Kilkenny faced Cork in the [[2003 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final|All-Ireland final]]. He was introduced as a 60th-minute substitute for [[James Ryall]] and collected  a third All-Ireland winners' medal after the 1–14 to 1–11 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2003/0915/world/kilkenny-stand-firm-under-cork-onslaught-707695375.html|title=Kilkenny stand firm under Cork onslaught |date=15 September 2003|newspaper=Irish Examiner|access-date=1 August 2014|first=Jim|last=O'Sullivan}}</ref> Comerford retired from inter-county hurling following this victory.

===Leinster===

Comerford also lined out with [[Leinster GAA|Leinster]] in the inter-provincial hurling competition.  He was captain of his province in 2002 as Leinster defeated an all-[[Galway GAA|Galway]] [[Connacht GAA|Connacht]] team, giving him a [[Railway Cup]] medal.

==Managerial career==
===Kildare===

On 1 November 2007, Comerford was ratified as manager of the [[Kildare senior hurling team]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/article/index/85418|title=Comerford takes up the reins in Kildare|publisher=Hogan Stand|date=2 November 2007|access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref> His first competitive match in charge was a 2–12 to 0–11 defeat of [[Roscommon GAA|Roscommon]] in the [[2008 National Hurling League#Division 2|2008 National League]]. In the subsequent [[2008 Christy Ring Cup|Christy Ring Cup]] campaign, Comerford's side topped their group before exiting at the quarter-final stage following a 2–22 to 3–13 defeat by [[Westmeath GAA|Westmeath]].

Comerford's second [[2009 National Hurling League#Division Three A|National League]] campaign in charge saw Kildare finish in second place in the group stage and qualifying for the final. On 2 May 2009, Kildare secured the [[2009 National Hurling League#Division Three A|Division 3A]] title and promotion after a 2–18 to 1–18 defeat of [[Meath GAA|Meath]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/kildare-clinch-promotion-with-final-win-409202.html|title=Kildare clinch promotion with final win|newspaper=Irish Examiner|date=2 May 2009|access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref> For the second year in succession, Comerford's side were defeated at the quarter-final stage of the [[2009 Christy Ring Cup|Christy Ring Cup]].

Comerford's third season in charge saw Kildare line out in [[2010 National Hurling League#Division 2|Division 2]] of the National League. His side recorded only one victory in the seven-game group stage before being relegated at the end of the campaign. On 5 June 2010, Comerford guided Kildare to the semi-finals of the [[2010 Christy Ring Cup|Christy Ring Cup]] for the first time in three years. His side suffered a 3–19 to 0–18 defeat by Westmeath. On 11 June 2010, Comerford stepped down as manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/type/hurling/article/index/130337|title=Comerford vacates Kildare post|publisher=Hogan Stand|date=11 June 2010|access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref>

===O'Loughlin Gaels===

Shortly after stepping down as Kildare manager, Comerford was appointed coach of the [[O'Loughlin Gaels GAA|O'Loughlin Gaels]] senior team for the [[2010 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship|2010 Kilkenny Championship]]. On 24 October 2010, he helped guide the team to the championship title following a 0–17 to 1–11 defeat of [[Carrickshock GAA|Carrickshock]] in the [[2010 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship#Final|final]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/1025/1224281953099.html|title=Bergin points the way for O'Loughlin's|newspaper=[[Irish Times]]|access-date=6 September 2011|date=25 October 2010}}</ref> On 30 January 2011, O'Loughlin Gaels secured the [[2010-11 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship|Leinster Championship]] title following a 0–14 to 1–08 defeat of [[Oulart the Ballagh GAA|Oulart-the Ballagh]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2011/0130/oloughlingaels_oularttheballagh.html |title=O'Loughlin Gaels 0–14 Oulart-The-Ballagh 1-08 |publisher=[[RTÉ Sport]] |access-date=6 September 2011 |date=30 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203013448/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2011/0130/oloughlingaels_oularttheballagh.html |archive-date= 3 February 2011 }}</ref> On 17 March 2011, Comerford's side qualified for an [[2011 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship Final|All-Ireland final]] meeting with [[Clarinbridge GAA|Clarinbridge]], however, they suffered a 2–18 to 0–12 defeat.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/clarinbridge-slay-gaels-to-claim-first-shc-club-title-497633.html|title=Clarinbridge slay Gaels to claim first SHC club title|newspaper=Irish Examiner|access-date=6 September 2011|date=17 March 2011}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Team
!rowspan="2"|Year
!colspan="3"|[[National Hurling League|National League]]
!colspan="2"|[[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|Leinster]]
!colspan="2"|[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]]
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Score!!Apps!!Score!!Apps!!Score!!Apps!!Score
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[Kilkenny GAA|Kilkenny]]
|1997
|rowspan="1"|[[National Hurling League|Division 1]]
|9||0-07||2||0-03||2||0-03||13||0-13
|-
|1998
|rowspan="4"|[[National Hurling League|Division 1B]]
|4||0-02||2||0-01||2||0-04||8||0-07
|-
|1999
|6||0-02||2||1-01||2||0-03||10||1-06
|-
|2000
|5||0-06||1||0-01||2||1-01||8||1-08
|-
|2001
|2||1-01||2||0-01||1||0-00||5||1-02
|-
|2002
|rowspan="2"|[[National Hurling League|Division 1A]]
|2||0-02||2||0-00||2||0-03||6||0-05
|-
|2003
|2||0-00||0||0-00||1||0-00||3||0-00
|-
!colspan="3"|Total
!30!!1-20!!11!!1-07!!12!!1-14!!53!!3-41
|}

==Honours==
===Player===

;St. Kieran's College
*[[Dr. Croke Cup|All-Ireland Colleges Senior Hurling Championship]] (2): 1989, 1990
*[[Leinster Colleges Senior Hurling Championship]] (2): 1989, 1990

;Waterford Regional Technical College
*[[Fitzgibbon Cup]] (1): 1992

;O'Loughlin Gaels
*[[Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship]] (1): [[2003-04 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship|2003]] (c)
*[[Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship]] (2): [[2001 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship|2001]] (c), [[2003 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship|2003]] (c)
*[[Kilkenny Intermediate Hurling Championship]] (1): 1996

;London
*[[All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1995 All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship|1995]]

;Kilkenny
*[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] (3): [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2000|2000]], [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2002|2002]] (c), [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2003|2003]]
*[[Leinster Senior Hurling Championship]] (6): [[1998 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|1998]], [[1999 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|1999]], [[2000 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|2000]], [[2001 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|2001]], [[2002 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|2002]], [[2003 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Hurling Championship|2003]]
*[[National Hurling League]] (2): [[2002 National Hurling League|2002]] (c), [[2003 National Hurling League|2003]]
*[[Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1993 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship|1993]]
*[[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1990 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|1990]]
*[[Leinster Minor Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1990 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#Leinster Minor Hurling Championship|1990]]

;Leinster
*[[Railway Cup]] (1): 2002

===Management===

;O'Loughlin Gaels
*[[Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship]] (1): [[2010-11 All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship#Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship|2010]]
*[[Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship]] (1): [[2010 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship|2010]]

;Kildare
*[[National Hurling League|National League Division 3A]] (1): [[2009 National Hurling League#Division Three A|2009]]

===Individual===

;Awards
*[[GAA All Stars Awards|GAA All-Star Award]] (2): [[List of All Stars Awards winners (hurling)#1999|1999]], [[List of All Stars Awards winners (hurling)#2000|2000]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Andy Comerford navigation boxes
|bg=
|fg=
|list1=
{{S-start}}
{{S-sports}}
{{Succession box|
 title=[[List of Kilkenny senior hurling captains|Kilkenny Senior Hurling Captain]]|
 before=[[Denis Byrne]]|
 after=[[Charlie Carter]]|
 years=2002|
}}
{{Succession box|
 title=[[Kildare GAA|Kildare Senior Hurling Manager]]|
 before=[[Ben Dorney]]|
 after=[[Michael O'Riordan (hurler)|Michael O'Riordan]]|
 years=2007-2010|
}}
{{S-ach|ach}}
{{Succession box|
 after=[[D.J. Carey]]|
 title=[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Winning Captains|All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final]]<br>winning [[Captain (sport)|captain]]|
 years=[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 2002|2002]]|
 before=[[Tommy Dunne]]
}}
{{Succession box|
 before=[[Brendan Cummins (Tipperary hurler)|Brendan Cummins]]|
 title=[[List of Interprovincial Hurling Championship finals|Interprovincial Hurling Final]]<br>winning [[Captain (sport)|captain]]|
 years=2002|
 after=[[Michael Kavanagh]]
}}
{{S-end}} 
{{Kilkenny Minor Hurling Team 1990}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1998}}
{{Kilkenny Hurling Team 1999}}
{{2000 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions}}
{{2002 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions}}
{{2003 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions}}
{{Leinster Hurling Team 2002}}
{{1999 Hurling All Stars}}
{{2000 Hurling All Stars}}
{{O'Loughlin Gaels Hurling Team 2011}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Comerford, Andy}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winners]]
[[Category:Alumni of Waterford Institute of Technology]]
[[Category:English Gaelic footballers]]
[[Category:English hurlers]]
[[Category:Hurling managers]]
[[Category:Gaelic games players from London]]
[[Category:Kilkenny inter-county hurlers]]
[[Category:Leinster inter-provincial hurlers]]
[[Category:London inter-county hurlers]]
[[Category:O'Loughlin Gaels hurlers]]
[[Category:Waterford IT hurlers]]