THE DEATH HAS occurred this morning of the Mickey ‘The Rattler’ Byrne, a five-time All-Ireland senior hurling winner with Tipperary, at the age of 93.
The Rattler enjoyed plenty triumphs with Tipperary as part of the All-Ireland winning setups in 1945, 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1958.
He also won four Munster senior hurling medals and eight National hurling league medals.
At club level he lined out for Thurles Sarsfields and was part of a team who were immensely successful. He won a record haul of 14 county senior hurling medals and 16 Mid-Tipperary senior hurling medals.
In 1999 Byrne was named at right corner-back on the Tipperary Team of the Millennium and at the time of the passing he was also President of the Thurles Sarsfields club.
Tipperary county board chairman Michael Bourke paid tribute to the late ‘Rattler’.
“Mickey Byrne better known as The Rattler was a unique character whose death leaves a huge void in the annals of Tipperary Hurling and Folklore.
“As Tipperary County Board Chairman, I am privileged to have known The Rattler and to see at first hand the charisma and warmth that he exuded to everyone in his presence.
“His record on the hurling playing fields speaks for itself and will stand the testament of time for one who dedicated his life to Tipperary and his club Thurles Sarsfields.
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“While we all mourn the sad loss of Mickey his loss will be felt most by those who loved him and knew him the best, his family.
“On behalf of Tipperary County Board I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Byrne family and also to his club, Thurles Sarsfields, on the sad passing of Mickey. His family have lost a father while Tipperary hurling has lost another of its greatest sons.”
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