James Phelan (6 April 1917 – 5 January 2006) was an Irish hurler who played as a left corner-forward for the Kilkenny senior team. Born in Ballyragget, County Kilkenny, Phelan first played competitive hurling whilst at school in Mount Sion CBS. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of sixteen when he first linked up with the Waterford minor team. He made his senior debut for Kilkenny in the 1939 championship. Phelan's senior career was brief but successful, winning one All-Ireland medal and two Leinster medals. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.