John McKenna (hurler)
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| Native name | Seán Mac Cionaoith (Irish) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nickname | Mackey | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | April 1938 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | (aged 87) Dooradoyle, Limerick, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Rate collector | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sport | Hurling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Full-forward | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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John "Mackey" McKenna (May 1938 – 23 October 2025) was an Irish hurler. At club level, he played for Borrisokane and Burgess and at inter-county level with the Tipperary senior hurling team.
Career
McKenna began his hurling career at club level with Borrisokane. He was part of the club's North Tipperary IHC-winning team in 1958, before winning a second medal in that competition in 1973.[1] McKenna later transferred to the Burgess club and claimed a third North Tipperary IHC title in 1976. He also won a Tipperary JHC medal that year.[2]
At inter-county level, McKenna first appeared for Tipperary during a two-year stint with the junior team in 1958 and 1959.[3] He joined the senior team as a forward in 1961.[4] McKenna won four All-Ireland SHC medals in the five-year period between 1961 and 1965.[5] Tipperary's dominance of the era also saw him win six Munster SHC medals and four National Hurling League titles.[6] McKenna's inter-county career ended in 1971.
McKenna's performances at inter-county level earned him a place on the Munster inter-provincial team. He won his sole Railway Cup medal in 1966, following Munster's defeat of Leinster in the final.[7]
Death
McKenna died at University Hospital Limerick on 23 October 2025, at the age of 87.[8][9]
Honours
- Borrisokane
- Burgess
- Tipperary
- All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship: 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965
- Munster Senior Hurling Championship: 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968
- National Hurling League: 1960–61, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1967-68
- Munster
References
- ^ "Borrisokane to immortalise legend Mackey McKenna". The Nenagh Guardian. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Forer Tipp stars shine for Burgess". Irish Examiner. 20 December 1976. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "The Gospel according to Mackey". The Nenagh Guardian. 23 May 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Mackeys five star glow as Tipp chalk up 11-11". Irish Independent. 23 February 2002. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Borrisokane and Tipperary GAA mourn hurling legend Mackey McKenna". The Nenagh Guardian. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Senior hurling". Munster GAA website. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Railway Cup hurling". Munster GAA website. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Tipperary icon John 'Mackey' McKenna dies aged 87". Irish Examiner. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.
- ^ "Tipperary icon John 'Mackey' McKenna dies aged 87". Hogan Stand. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 27 October 2025.