John McKenna

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. 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.

At inter-county level, McKenna first appeared for Tipperary during a two-year stint with the junior team in 1958 and 1959. He joined the senior team as a forward in 1961. McKenna won four All-Ireland SHC medals in the five-year period between 1961 and 1965. Tipperary's dominance of the era also saw him win six Munster SHC medals and four National Hurling League titles. 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.

Death

McKenna died at University Hospital Limerick on 23 October 2025, at the age of 87.

Honours Borrisokane North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship: 1958, 1973

Burgess North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship: 1976 Tipperary Junior Hurling Championship: 1976

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 Railway Cup: 1966