Frank Norberg

Jeremiah Francis Norberg (1948 – 20 February 2018), known as Frank Norberg, was an Irish hurler. His league and championship career with the Cork senior team lasted four seasons from 1969 to 1973.

Born in

Norberg first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor team in 1966. That year he had his first success when he secured a Munster MHC title following a 6–7 to 2–8 defeat of Galway.^[2] Cork later faced Wexford in the All-Ireland MHC final. After a thrilling 6–7 apiece draw, Norberg's side were narrowly defeated in the replay by 4–1 to 1–8.^{[citation needed]}

Two years later in 1968, Norberg was a small member of the Cork under-21 team. He secured a

In 1969, Norberg was still eligible for the under-21 grade. He added a second Munster U21HC title to his collection that year, before lining out in a second consecutive All-Ireland U21HC final. Wexford were the opponent, and, after a high-scoring game, Cork emerged as the winner by 5–13 to 4–7. This was Norberg's second consecutive All-Ireland U21HC title.^[citation needed]

Following his performances in the minor and under-21 grades Norberg joined the Cork senior hurling team in 1971. He was a non-playing substitute that year; however, Cork had little success in the championship.^[5]

In 1972, Norberg was appointed captain of Cork. After guiding his team to the National Hurling League title, Norberg later lined out in his first Munster SHC final. Clare were the opponent, and a rout took place as Cork recorded a huge 6–18 to 2–8 victory. It was Norberg's first Munster SHC winners’ medal.^[6] The game was not without incident as Norberg picked up a groin injury in that game and, for a time, it looked likely that his season was over. He missed Cork's subsequent victory over London in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final; however, he recovered in time to lead out his team against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland SHC final. With time running out, Cork were cruising to victory and led ‘the Cats’ by eight points. Norberg had to be substituted during the game due to injury; however, a victory seemed certain. A Kilkenny fight-back saw the team draw level with Cork and score a further seven points without reply to capture a 3–24 to 5–11 victory. It was a huge blow to a Cork team that seemed destined for victory.^{[citation needed]}

The loss was a double blow as, on the same day, Kilkenny had also defeated the Cork minor team, where another Norberg – Frank's younger brother John – also represented Cork.

Norberg was relegated to the substitutes' bench again in 1973, before leaving the inter-county set-up at the end of the year.