Irish name Gearoid O hUallachain Nickname Houlie Sport Gaelic football Name Ger Houlahan | Position Full Forward Education Ulster University Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) All stars 1 | |
Occupation Armagh City & District Council officer | ||
Gerard "Ger" Houlahan is an Irish retired Gaelic footballer who played for Armagh from 1984 to 2000. He won two Ulster Senior Football Championship medals with the county and also won an All Star award.
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Houlahan played club football for Pearse Óg and won the Armagh Senior Football Championship on ? occasions with the club.
He was a very prolific forward, particularly renowned for his goal-scoring ability. Houlahan was also a crowd favourite with the Armagh fans. He is known as one of Armagh's best ever players. In 2009 to mark the 125th anniversary of the Gaelic Athletic Association he was named by The Irish News as one of the all-time best 125 footballers from Ulster.
Inter-county
Houlahan made his Championship debut for Armagh in 1984. That year he helped Armagh reach the Ulster Senior Football Championship final, but they were beaten by Tyrone. He also suffered Ulster final defeats with the county in 1987 and 1990. Houlahan was awarded an All Star for his performances in the 1993 Championship and was also named best player of that year's Ulster Championship.
Houlahan finally won an Ulster Championship medal in 1999 - making a substitute appearance in the decider against Down. He won a second Ulster title the following year. The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Kerry proved to be Houlahan's last appearance in an Armagh jersey. He announced his retirement in January 2001, aged 34. Houlahan has now settled down with his wife, Deirdre and his three children, Caleigh (the oldest), Odhran and the Kyran.
Club
Houlahan had a successful underage career with Pearse Óg. In 1985 he helped the club win their first ever Armagh Senior Football Championship, beating local rivals Armagh Harps in the final. He won further Armagh Championships with the club in 1988 and 1992. He also reached the 1988 Ulster Club Championship final with the club, where they were defeated by Burren.
Province
Houlahan won two Railway Cup medals with Ulster.
School / college
Houlahan playing centre half forward helped University of Ulster Jordanstown (UUJ) win the 1986 Sigerson Cup, and was named Player of the Tournament.
Post-playing career
In late 2001 Houlahan was called in to help the Ulster rugby team with their handling skills. He had also previously helped Ulster fly-half David Humphreys with his kicking.
Houlahan managed Loughmacrory GFC for a season having much success.
He was appointed Armagh Minor manager in late 2002 alongside James Byrne and Alan O’Neill.