Patrick Scanlan (13 October 1905 – April 1977) was an Irish hurler who played as a goalkeeper at senior level for the Limerick county team. Born in Castleconnell, County Limerick, Scanlan first played competitive hurling during his schooling at Limerick CBS. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty-six when he first linked up with the Limerick senior team. He made his debut during the 1932 Thomond Feis. Scanlan immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen and won two All-Ireland medals, five Munster medals and four National Hurling League medals. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions. As a member of the Munster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, Scanlan won four Railway Cup medals. At club level he was a three-time championship medallist with Ahane in Limerick and a one-time championship medallist with Liam Mellows in Galway. Throughout his career Scanlan made 32 championship appearances. His retirement came following the conclusion of the 1941 championship. In retirement from playing Scanlan became a highly respected referee at club championship level. Scanlan is widely regarded as the greatest goalkeeper of his era and as Limerick's all-time number one custodian. Playing career Club Scanlan began his club career with Young Irelands and enjoyed much success in various tournament games. A lack of competitive games in his native Castleconnell saw Scanlan and his comrades cross the border to Tipperary where they linked up with the Newport club. In 1926 the Ahane club was formed with Scnalan serving on the organising committee. Success was slow in coming, however, after five years the club reached the summit of club hurling in Limerick. A 5-5 to 1-4 trouncing of Croom gave Ahane their first senior title, while it also gave Scanlan, who was captain of the team, his first championship medal. Ahane failed to retain their title, however, Scanlan's team returned to the championship decider once again in 1933. A 1-7 to 1-1 defeat of Croom gave him his second championship medal. Scanlan added a third championship medal to his collection in 1934 as Ahane retained their title following a 6-6 to 3-3 defeat of Kidimo. A move to Galway shortly after this victory saw Scanlan join the Liam Mellows club. He won a championship medal in 1935 as Liam Mellows defeated Ballinderreen in the decider. Inter-county Beginnings On 1 May 1932 Scanlan made his competitive debut for Limerick