 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Mícheál Mac Aodha | ||
| Sport | Hurling | ||
| Position | Centre-forward | ||
| Born |
12 July 1912 Castleconnell, County Limerick, Ireland | ||
| Died |
13 September 1982 (aged 70) Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||
| Nickname | Playboy of the Southern World[citation needed] | ||
| Occupation | Van driver | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
1928–1951 | Ahane | ||
| Club titles | |||
| Football | Hurling | ||
| Limerick titles | 5 | 15 | |
| Inter-county(ies)* | |||
| Years | County | Apps (scores) | |
1929–1947 | Limerick | 42 | |
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Munster titles | 5 | ||
| All-Irelands | 3 | ||
| NHL | 5 | ||
| All Stars | 1 | ||
| *Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 17:17, 10 July 2013. | |||
Michael John Mackey (12 July 1912 – 13 September 1982) was an Irish hurler who played as a centre-forward at senior level for the Limerick county team.[1][2][3][4][5]
Born in Castleconnell, County Limerick, Mackey first arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Limerick minor team, before later lining out with the junior side. He made his senior debut in the 1930–31 National League. Mackey went on to play a key part for Limerick during a golden age for the team, and won three All-Ireland medals, five Munster medals and five National Hurling League medals. An All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions, Mackey also captained the team to two All-Ireland victories.
His brother, John Mackey, also shared in these victories while his father, "Tyler" Mackey was a one-time All-Ireland runner-up with Limerick.
Mackey represented the Munster inter-provincial team for twelve years, winning eight Railway Cup medals during that period. At club level, he won fifteen championship medals with Ahane.
Throughout his inter-county career, Mackey made 42 championship appearances for Limerick. His retirement came following the conclusion of the 1947 championship.
In retirement from playing, Mackey became involved in team management and coaching. As trainer of the Limerick senior team in 1955, he guided them to Munster victory. He also served as a selector on various occasions with both Limerick and Munster. Mackey also served as a referee.
Mackey is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game. He was the inaugural recipient of the All-Time All-Star Award. He has been repeatedly voted onto teams made up of the sport's greats, including at centre-forward on the Hurling Team of the Century in 1984 and the Hurling Team of the Millennium in 2000. In 2021, the trophy given to the winning Munster Senior Hurling Championship team was named in Mackey's honour.
- ^ "Vintage Gaels: Mick Mackey". Vintage Gaels website. Archived from the original on 10 July 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "Mick Mackey of Ahane" (PDF). Limerick City website. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "Henry Martin on hurling legend Mick Mackey". Limerick Post. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ Moynihan, Michael (22 May 2009). "The magic of Mackey still earning pride of Ahane". Limerick Post. Retrieved 10 July 2013.
- ^ Kashman, Kevin (31 October 1982). "Memories of Mick Mackey". Politico. Retrieved 10 July 2013.