Mick Mackey

Mick Mackey
Mick Mackey
Personal information
Irish name Mícheál Mac Aodha
Sport Hurling
Position Centre-forward
Born 12 July 1912(1912-07-12)
Castleconnell, County Limerick
Died 13 September 1982(1982-09-13) (aged 70)
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Nickname Playboy of the Southern World
Occupation ESB van driver
Club(s)
Years Club
1930-1948 Ahane
Club Titles
Limerick titles 15
Inter-county(ies)
Years County Apps (scores)
1930-1947 Limerick 42[1]
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 5
All Irelands 3
NHL 5
All Stars 1

Michael ‘Mick’ Mackey (12 July 1912 – 13 September 1982) was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the famous Ahane club from 1930 until 1948 and was a member of the Limerick senior inter-county team from 1930 until 1947. Mackey is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game. Almost unanimously regarded as the second-best hurler of all-time (with even many claiming that Mackey was the best), many former players, commentators and fans believe that the only other player who could be said to have bested him was the unparalleled Christy Ring.[2]

Mackey’s status as one of the all-time greats is self-evident. In a senior inter-county career that lasted for seventeen years he was the star player on the team during Limerick's golden age of hurling. Mackey won three All-Ireland titles, five Munster titles, five consecutive National Hurling League titles and eight Railway Cup titles with Munster.

Mackey's importance to Limerick is impossible to overstate. When he burst on the hurling scene in the 1930s he was unquestionably the greatest hurler yet seen. From his usual position at centre-forward Mackey inspired the whole team, and their reputation as great entertainers of hurling owed a lot to his charismatic style and his new hurling techniques. He was physically imposing and his swashbuckling style brought huge crowds to see him play. During his playing days it was Mackey that developed the solo-run style, though he eschewed the use of the sliotar resting on the hurley, which he did not consider correct hurling, preferring instead to bounce it on the hurley as he charged at defences.[3]

While his exploits on the field are well documented, Mackey has also been the recipient of many awards and honours off the field. In 1980 he was the first recipient of the prestigious All-Time All-Star Award. Mackey was also posthumously honoured in 1984 when he was named, by popular opinion, in the centre-forward position on the GAA Hurling Team of the Century.[4] He was named in the same position on the GAA Hurling Team of the Millennium in 2000.[5]

Contents

Early & private life

Mick Mackey was born in Castleconnell, County Limerick in 1912. He was born into a family that was steeped in the traditions of the game of hurling. His grandfather and namesake, Michael Mackey, was involved in the promotion of Gaelic games even before the establishment of the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1884. He was captain of the Castleconnell team in the infancy days of the association and was a member of the very first Limerick hurling team that played in the inaugural championship in 1887. His father, John 'Tyler' Mackey, ranked among the leading hurling personalities of the first two decades of the twentieth century. In a career that lasted from 1901 until 1917 he captained Limerick in the county’s unsuccessful 1910 All-Ireland title bid when Wexford were victorious by a single point.[6]

Mackey was educated at the local national school in Castleconnell. As was common at the time he received little in the way of a second-level education and left school at an early age due to the economic realities of life in the newly-independent Irish Free State. Mackey subsequently joined the Electricity Supply Board where he spent 47 years as a van driver with the company at Ardnacrusha, County Clare. He also spent five years as a member of the Irish Army.[7]

Playing career

Club

In 1926 the young Mackey became involved in the newly-formed Ahane GAA club. Three years later and still in his teens his skill became apparent when he helped the club to a county junior hurling championship title. Mackey would later go on to have much more success with the club in both hurling and football at senior level as Ahane became the kingpins of Limerick in the 1930s. In 1931 he won his first senior county hurling title. Between 1933 and 1939 he played a key role in helping Ahane to an unprecedented seven county titles in-a-row. Not only did he have major success on the hurling fiedl but Mackey also won five consecutive senior county football titles titles with Ahane between 1935 and 1939. From 1942 until 1949 Ahane captured another unprecedented seven county titles in-a-row, with Mackey featuring prominently in all these victories.

Inter-county

Mackey first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Limerick minor hurling team in 1929, however, he enjoyed little success in this grade

He first became involved with the Limerick senior hurling team in 1929 when he was listed as a non-playing substitute for the Munster Championship. In 1930 he made his senior debut at the relatively young age of eighteen when he went as a spectator to see Limerick take on Kilkenny in a National Hurling League game. The Shannonsiders were short the full team so Mackey was called upon to line out. Mackey’s brother, John, soon followed him onto the county’s senior team and together they would both enjoy a remarkable run of success.

In 1933 Mackey won his first Munster title after a defeat of Waterford in the provincial final. Although the game was played in Thurles the result was decided in Clonmel as the game had to be abandoned because of a pitch invasion. Since Limerick were winning the game comfortably the Munster Council decided to award the Munster title to Mackey’s side.[8] Limerick later faced reigning champions Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final with just over 45,000 people turning up at Croke Park to witness the contest. Such was the crowd that the gates were locked five minutes before the game began and 5,000 people were locked out. The final was a close one; however, Kilkenny sealed the victory with a great solo-run goal by Johnny Dunne in the last ten minutes.[9] A 1-7 to 0-6 win gave Kilkenny a second consecutive All-Ireland title.

1934 began with Limerick bouncing back from this defeat by claiming the National Hurling League title. Mackey later collected a second Munster title following another defeat of Waterford in the final, this time the game was settle don the field of play. Dublin provided Limerick’s opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland final and, as it turned out, the game was a dramatic spectacle. Dublin trailed by five points with five minutes left, however, they fought back to draw 2-7 to 3-4. The repaly turned out to be an even closer affair as well with both sides level with two minutes to go. Points from Mackey and Jackie O'Connell and a fourth goal from Dave Clohessy secured a victory for Limerick and secured a coveted All-Ireland winners' medal for Mackey.[10]

Mackey captured a second consecutive National League medal in 1935 before Limerick completely powered their way through the Munster Championship. In the Munster semi-final against Cork, widely regarded as one of the greatest games ever, Mackey scored a goal inside two minutes before later moving to midfield where he dominated the game. Limerick later defeated Tipperary in the Munster final, giving Mackey a third consecutive provincial winners' medal.[11] Kilkenny turned out to be Limerick’s opponents in the subsequent All-Ireland final and, once again, the game was a close affair. Limerick were the red-hot favourites as they were the reigning National League and All-Ireland champions and had played a remarkable 31 games without defeat. A record crowd of over 46,000 turned up to watch a hurling classic. In spite of rain falling throughout the entire game both sides served up a great game. At the beginning of the second-half Lory Meagher sent over a huge point from midfield giving Kilkenny a lead which they would not surrender. Mackey smashed a free to the net, however, his final attack to secure a win was foiled by Paddy Larkin. Kilkenny held on to win the game on a score line of 2-5 to 2-4 and capture a third All-Ireland title in four years.[10]

Limerick began 1936 by winning a third consecutive National League medal. The team later embarked on a tour of the United States where they defeated a New York team made up of Irish expatriates. As a result of the tour Limerick were awarded a bye into the Munster final, however, Mackey, who was now captain of the side, sustained an injury to his right knee during the American tour. Tipperary provided the opposition in the provincial final and any sign of weakness from Mackey would be pounced upon. The Limerick selectors then hit on the novel idea of putting a large bandage on their star player’s uninjured left knee in an effort to confuse the Tipp players.[12] The switching of bandages worked perfectly as Mackey scored a remarkable 5 goals and three points as Limerick trounced the opposition. After scoring his final goal, he taunted the Tipperary fans with gestures, and finally turned his back to them and dropped his togs exposing his buttocks. In relatively innocent times this was what marked his reputation as a playboy and a someone who drew crowds of shrieking women to games. Galway fell to Limerick in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final, however, the men from the West lost the game after walking off the pitch with fifteen minutes left. They were not impressed with the rough tactics of their opponents. For the third time in four years Limerick faced a challenge from Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. ‘The Cats’ were victorious in 1935, however, Limerick were keen for revenge. Jackie Power, who was playing in his very first game, scored two first-half goals. A solo-run goal by captain Mackey in the second-half helped Limerick to a 5-6 to 1-5 victory.[10] As a result of this victory Mackey had the honour of receiving the famed Liam McCarthy Cup for the first time and a second All-Ireland winners' medal.

In 1937 Mackey captained Limerick to yet another National League title. Waterford gave Mackey’s side a fright in the Munster semi-final, however, victory went to Limerick courtesy of a last-minute goal. Tipperary provided the opposition in the provincial final, however, the men from Limerick were still the favorites to become the third team ever to win five Munster finals in-a-row. Instead, Tipperary emerged victorious by two goals, ending Limerick’s involvement in that year’s championship.

In 1938 Limerick entered the record books as the first team to win five consecutive National League titles. It is a record which has never been equalled. Limerick, however, lost out to Cork in the subsequent Munster championships of 1938 and 1939, with many people believing that the team were now over the hill. This certainly seemed the case in 1940 when it took two late goals from Jackie Power and a storming display by Mackey to level the Munster semi-final with Waterford. Another late rally gave Limerick a victory in the subsequent replay. Mackey’s side put in another excellent performance in the Munster final to draw the game with Cork. At half-time in the replay Limerick looked like a spent force. Held scoreless for the entire thirty minutes Mackey got the recovery underway in the second-half with a point from a seventy. He later moved back to the defense where Cork were running riot with goals. A pitch invasion scuppered the game for ten minutes, however, Limerick held on to win with Mackey collecting his fifth provincial title.[13] Once again, Kilkenny provided the opposition in the All-Ireland final. 50,0000 spectators traveled to Croke Park to witness the last great game between the two most outstanding teams of the decade. Early in the second-half Kilkenny took a four-point lead, however, once Mackey was deployed at midfield he proceeded to dominate the game. Limerick hung on to win the game on a score line of 3-7 to 1-7 and Mackey joined an elite group of players who collected the McCarthy Cup more than once as captain.[14]

Limerick took a back seat to Cork and Tipp in the Munster championship for the next few years. In 1941 Mackey’s younger brother, Paddy, died. As was customary at the time, both Mick and John Mackey withdrew from championship hurling for one year. During the Emergency in Ireland Mackey joined the army. Here he maintained his physical fitness and played in many brigade and division games.[15]

In 1944 Limerick squared up to Cork in the provincial final as the Leesiders were aiming for a fourth consecutive All-Ireland final victory. Mackey was a veteran hurler by now, however, he still seemed to be playing better than ever. Cork took an early lead, however, the Ahane man kept his team in with a chance by scoring points from almost impossible angles. He later powered past Con Murphy to score two quick goals and put Limerick in the driving seat once again. Cork came back, however, to draw the game. In the last fifteen minutes of the replay Limerick were up by four points. Mackey broke through the Cork defence to score another inspiring goal, however, he was deemed to be fouled as he went through and the goal was disallowed. A free was awarded instead but it was missed. With minutes left in the game both sides were level and Mackey launched one last attack for the winning point. His shot hit the outside of the post and dropped wide. Only seconds remained when Cork’s Christy Ring caught the sliotar and fired a fierce shot into the net to win the game. Many reagard this dramatic passage of play as the moment that the mantle of hurling’s star player passed from Mackey to Ring.[16]

Limerick lost the Munster final of 1945 to Tipperary, however, they faced old rivals Cork in the provincial decider again in 1946. Mackey was now in the twilight of his inter-county hurling career and time had finally caught up with him. Din Joe Buckley put in a marvellous display when marking Mackey as Cork went on to win the game comfortably.[17] Following this defeat Mackey effectively retired from inter-county hurling, however, he was coaxed back as a substitute for the 1947 Munster final defeat by Cork.

Provincial

Ryan also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial hurling championship where he played alongside his championship rivals from other Munster hurling counties. He first played for his province in 1934 as Munster defeated fierce rivals Leinster to take the Railway Cup title. Three years later in 1937 Mackey was captain of his province. Munster defeated Leinster again on that occasion, giving the Limerick man a second Railway Cup winners' medal. It was the first of four Railway Cup victories in-a-row for Munster, bring Mackey's personal tally to five. He won further Railway Cup titles in 1943, 1945 and an eighth 1946.[18]

Retirement

In retirement from playing, Mackey came to be regarded as one of the true legends of the game and is frequently touted as one of the greatest players of all-time. In his later years he maintained a keen interest in the game. He officiated at games as a referee and as an umpire and he trained the Limerick side, known as “Mackey’s greyhounds,” that defeated warm favourites Clare in the 1955 Munster final. The Mackey Stand at the Limerick Gaelic Grounds is named in his honour.

Mick Mackey died on 13 September 1982. His funeral was one of the biggest-ever for a sportsperson in Ireland with thousands coming to Castleconnell, not alone from all parts of Limerick, but from the heartlands of his traditional rivals, Tipperary, Cork and Kilkenny. He was posthumously honoured on the GAA’s Hurling Team of the Century and on the Hurling Team of the Millennium.

A biography of Mick Mackey has been produced in advance of the 100th anniversary of his birth in 2012. This book will be released in August 2011.[dated info][19]

See also

Bibliography

  • Brendan Fullam, Captains of the Ash, (Wolfhound Press, 2004)
  • Tim Horgan, Christy Ring: Hurling's Greatest, (The Collins Press, 2007).
  • Colm Keane, Hurling’s Top 20, (Mainstream Publishing, 2002).
  • Éamonn Sweeney, Munster Hurling Legends, (O’Brien Press, 2002).

References

  1. ^ McGough, Leo; Kieran Shannon (16 August 2009). "When Sunday Comes". Sunday Tribune: p. 9 (Sport). http://www.tribune.ie/sport/hurling/article/2009/aug/16/when-sunday-comes/. Retrieved 17 August 2009. 
  2. ^ Sweeney, Éamonn (2002). Munster Hurling Legends. O'Brien Press. p. 26. 
  3. ^ Munster Hurling Legends p. 14
  4. ^ Corry, Eoghan (2005). The GAA Book of Lists. Hodder Headline Ireland. p. 236. 
  5. ^ The GAA Book of Lists p. 235
  6. ^ Fullam, Brendan (2002). Captains of the Ash. Wolfhound Press. p. 125. 
  7. ^ Keane, Col (2002). Hurling's Top 20. Mainstream Publishing. p. 37. 
  8. ^ Munster Hurling Legends p. 17
  9. ^ The GAA Book of Lists p. 346-347
  10. ^ a b c The GAA Book of Lists p. 347
  11. ^ Munster Hurling Legends p. 19
  12. ^ Munster Hurling Legends pp. 19-20
  13. ^ Munster Hurling Legends pp. 22-25
  14. ^ The GAA Book of Lists p. 349
  15. ^ Hurling's Top 20 p. 37
  16. ^ Munster Hurling Legends pp. 39-41
  17. ^ Munster Hurling Legends p. 43
  18. ^ "Munster Railway Cup Hurling Teams". Munster GAA. Archived from the original on 2008-07-19. http://web.archive.org/web/20080719201124/http://munster.gaa.ie/teams/railwaycuphurling.html. Retrieved 2009-01-01. 
  19. ^ http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mick-Mackey-Hurling-Legend-Troubled/dp/1848891016/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311115598&sr=8-1
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Timmy Ryan
Limerick Senior Hurling Captain
1936-1940
Succeeded by
Achievements
Preceded by
Lory Meagher
(Kilkenny)
All-Ireland Senior Hurling
winning captain

1936
Succeeded by
Jimmy Lanigan
(Tipperary)
Preceded by
Jimmy Walsh
(Kilkenny)
All-Ireland Senior Hurling
winning captain

1940
Succeeded by
Connie Buckley
(Cork)
Awards
Preceded by
Newly created award
GAA All-Time All-Star Award
1980
Succeeded by
Jack Lynch
(Cork)

Teams

Template:Limerick NHL Team 1936

Template:Limerick NHL Team 1937 Template:Limerick NHL Team 1938


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