HE ALREADY has a GAA stadium stand and roundabout named after him but one of Ireland’s greatest ever hurlers has now been immortalised in bronze. A statue in memory of the late GAA legend Mick Mackey will be unveiled in his native Co Limerick village of Castleconnell this weekend. Born in 1912 Mackey was an iconic and charismatic figure on the hurling fields of Ireland. In 1988 the Mick Mackey Stand at The Gaelic Grounds or Pairc na nGael in Limerick was completed.
Limerick County Council has also named a roundabout on the main Limerick to Dublin road after the legendary Irish hurler who died in 1982 aged 70. In a career that lasted over 20 years Mick Mackey won five Munster Championships, three All Ireland titles, five National League titles and eight Railway Cup medals.
In 1961 he was chosen to receive the Texaco Hall of Fame Award for his outstanding contribution to the ancient game. In 1980 he was again honoured with the inaugural All Time All Star Award. Four years later he was named at centre-forward on the Centenary Team and in 2000 was again chosen at number 11 on the team of the Millennium.
Clare based sculptor Séamus Connolly, best known for his life-size statues of Richard Harris and John B Keane, was commissioned for the statue which depicts the Limerick hurler in a characteristic solo-run pose.
“He was a physically imposing and fearless player, and his swashbuckling style brought huge crowds to see him play,” recalled Gerard Murphy of the Mick Mackey Commemorative Committee.
The Commemorative Committee was set up by the Ahane GAA Club with the express purpose of commemorating the former Ahane and Limerick hurler. The statue is set to be unveiled by Úchtarán CLG Liam O’ Neill in Castleconnell on Sunday May 19 at 12:30pm.
The ceremony will be preceded by a short parade through the village featuring the Boherbuoy Band and various members of Ahane Bord na n’Óg. Former RTE broadcaster Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh will also be in attendance and will make a short address to the assembled gathering.
Story by Kathryn Hayes
