John Mackey (hurler)
Encyclopedia
John Mackey is a former Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with the Limerick
senior inter-county team from 1932 until 1947.
, County Limerick
in 1914. He was born into a family that was steeped in the traditions of the game of hurling
. His grandfather, Michael Mackey, was involved in the promotion of Gaelic games
even before the establishment of the Gaelic Athletic Association
in 1884. His father, John 'Tyler' Mackey, captained Limerick in the 1910 All-Ireland Hurling Final
and was one of the greats of the game in the early 20th century. His older brother, Mick Mackey
, with whom he shared much of his success with went on to become one of the greatest players off all-time.
side in both hurling
and football
. Ahane were the kingpins of hurling during Mackey's club career. In all he won 15 Limerick SHC
titles, beginning by capturing his first senior title in 1931. He later won seven championships in-a-row from 1933 to 1939, and again from 1942 to 1948. He also won five Limerick SFC titles in-a-row with Ahane between 1935 and 1939.
minor hurling team in 1929. He later joined the Limerick senior football team in 1932 before later joining the senior hurling team. In 1933 Mackey won his very first Munster Championship
medal, however, his side subsequently lost out to Kilkenny
in the All-Ireland final. Mackey and Limerick were still the kingpins of Munster in 1934, however, this time they went all the way and defeated Dublin
to win the All-Ireland
title. A third Munster title was claimed by Mackey in 1935, however, the side once again lost out to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. Mackey and Limerick made it four Munster titles in-a-row in 1936, and subsequently claimed a second All-Ireland victory.
The next few years saw Limerick make early exits in the Munster Championship. In spite of this the Mackey’s side claimed a fifth National Hurling League
title in-a-row in 1938. Two years later in 1940 Mackey claimed yet another Munster title before going on to defeat reigning All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. In 1941 Mackey’s brother, Paddy, died. As was customary at the time both John and Mick Mackey withdrew from championship hurling for one year. Mackey continued hurling in the 1940s, however, Cork were the dominant team of the time. His last major win was a National league title in 1947. He retired from inter-county hurling shortly after. Mackey also won 6 Railway Cup medals with Munster
.
Mackey died in Dublin in 1989 aged 75.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with the Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
senior inter-county team from 1932 until 1947.
Early life
John Mackey was born in CastleconnellCastleconnell
Castleconnell is a scenic village on the banks of the River Shannon, some from Limerick city and within a few minutes walk of the boundaries with counties Clare and Tipperary....
, County Limerick
County Limerick
It is thought that humans had established themselves in the Lough Gur area of the county as early as 3000 BC, while megalithic remains found at Duntryleague date back further to 3500 BC...
in 1914. He was born into a family that was steeped in the traditions of the game of hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
. His grandfather, Michael Mackey, was involved in the promotion of Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
even before the establishment of the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
in 1884. His father, John 'Tyler' Mackey, captained Limerick in the 1910 All-Ireland Hurling Final
All-Ireland Hurling Final
The All-Ireland Hurling Final is the last match to be played in the All-Ireland Hurling Championships . The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final is one of the biggest sporting occasions to be held in Ireland every year...
and was one of the greats of the game in the early 20th century. His older brother, Mick Mackey
Mick Mackey
Michael ‘Mick’ Mackey 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...
, with whom he shared much of his success with went on to become one of the greatest players off all-time.
Club
At club level Mackey had much success with his local AhaneAhane GAA
Ahane GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the Ahane, Castleconnell and Montpelier areas of east County Limerick, Republic of Ireland. The club fields teams in both hurling and football and historically is regarded as one of the great clubs of Limerick. Ahane's greatest players...
side in both hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
and football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
. Ahane were the kingpins of hurling during Mackey's club career. In all he won 15 Limerick SHC
Limerick Senior Hurling Championship
The Limerick Senior Hurling Championship is an annual club competition between the top Limerick Clubs. The winners of the Limerick Championship qualify to represent their county in the Munster Club Championship and in turn, go on to the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship...
titles, beginning by capturing his first senior title in 1931. He later won seven championships in-a-row from 1933 to 1939, and again from 1942 to 1948. He also won five Limerick SFC titles in-a-row with Ahane between 1935 and 1939.
Inter-county
Mackey first came to prominence as a member of the LimerickLimerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
minor hurling team in 1929. He later joined the Limerick senior football team in 1932 before later joining the senior hurling team. In 1933 Mackey won his very first Munster Championship
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
medal, however, his side subsequently lost out to Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
in the All-Ireland final. Mackey and Limerick were still the kingpins of Munster in 1934, however, this time they went all the way and defeated Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
to win the All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
title. A third Munster title was claimed by Mackey in 1935, however, the side once again lost out to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. Mackey and Limerick made it four Munster titles in-a-row in 1936, and subsequently claimed a second All-Ireland victory.
The next few years saw Limerick make early exits in the Munster Championship. In spite of this the Mackey’s side claimed a fifth National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
title in-a-row in 1938. Two years later in 1940 Mackey claimed yet another Munster title before going on to defeat reigning All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. In 1941 Mackey’s brother, Paddy, died. As was customary at the time both John and Mick Mackey withdrew from championship hurling for one year. Mackey continued hurling in the 1940s, however, Cork were the dominant team of the time. His last major win was a National league title in 1947. He retired from inter-county hurling shortly after. Mackey also won 6 Railway Cup medals with Munster
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
.
Mackey died in Dublin in 1989 aged 75.