Former Tipperary hurler Mickey 'The Rattler' Byrne passed away this morning
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Former Tipperary hurler Mickey 'The Rattler' Byrne passed away this morning at the ripe age of 93.
Mickey was the hurling right corner back on the Tipperary team of the Millennium.
The hurler excelled at club level and was the proud owber of 16 mid Tipperary senior hurling medals in 1942, '44, '45,'46, '50, '52, and ten in a row from '55 to '64.
For the blue and gold of Tipperary, Mickey won five All Ireland Senior Hurling Medals and also four Munster Senior Hurling titles as well as eight National Hurling League medals.
In total 'The Rattler' made 34 Championship appearances for his county before retiring from inter-county hurling in 1960.
Tipperary County Board Chairman Michael Bourke paid tribute to the late 'Rattler' on hearing of his passing - "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.
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.
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."