PICTURES: 'A ball of fire and a gentle soul' - Tipperary hurling legend laid to rest

As an emerging talent in the Tipperary senior hurling forward line in 1961, he was described by Mícheál Ó hEithir as “a ball of fire.” He went on to become one of the greatest forwards of his generation, winning four senior All Ireland medals, six Munster senior medals, four National Leagues and a Railway Cup medal.

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At his funeral in Newtown last Sunday, one of his colleagues on that great Tipperary team, Len Gaynor described him as a “highly effective forward, whose trademark score was a high hard shot to the roof of the net.”

The goalkeeper in that era, John O’Donoghue emphasised Mackey's great speed, hurling ability and courage. John further referenced the very positive effect that Mackey had on the dressing room while on the field of play he described him as “a man you could depend on.” 

His erstwhile colleague on the Borrisokane teams of the 50s, 60s and early 70s Noel Morris  endorsed the views of his county colleagues regarding Mackey's skill and goal scoring prowess. Noel quoted a verse of a poem penned by Paddy Power from South Tipperary regarding a crucial goal set up by Mackey in the 1962 All Ireland final against Wexford. “And McKenna tore like Mick Mackey of yore, through Wexford’s slashing sticks, to place Tom Ryan who hit the twine, to give John Doyle his sixth.”

Reflecting on the comradery in the team, Babs Keating remembered Mackey as a courageous, skillful and selfless forward who scored many vital goals for Tipperary. Babs reminisced on how Mackey was unique in that era being smaller than most full forwards of the time. However his repertoire of skills, his instinct for goals and most importantly his acute ability to know how to play every ball hallmarked his career in a Tipperary jersey.

Mackey’s stellar achievements on the field of play were matched only by his modest demeanour in his daily life. Beyond that force in blue and gold, Mackey was a kind and thoughtful family man. Married to Bernadette Nealon on the Tuesday after the All Ireland hurling final of 1965 and father of Laureen, John, Ruairi and Aoife, Mackey’s great interests outside of his family were greyhound racing, music, song and film. In her eulogy Laureen recalled his great love of westerns and that his favourite film was ‘Shane’ starring Alan Ladd. 

Mackey had a beautiful tenor voice and a marvellous repertoire of songs many of which he learned from his mother Agnes while one his favourite party pieces was the recitation, ‘Pass Me The Salt’. Mackey’s great love of plays was passed onto his children who were encouraged to engage with the arts.

His kind cheerful demeanour will be fondly remembered by those fortunate enough to have known him personally. While his achievements on the field of play ensure his place in the pantheon of great Tipperary forwards.

Mackey was laid to rest in his beloved Borrisokane on Sunday the 25th of October following mass in the Church of the Holy Spirit Youghalarra where the chief celebrant Fr. Lorcan Kenny was joined by Fr. Seamus Gardiner, Fr. Tim O'Brien and Fr. Pat Mulcahy. 

Go Lonraí Solas Síoraí Air.

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