T.J. Hanley R.I.P.

The sad news came today of the passing of T.J. Hanley one of the club’s outstanding hurlers. T.J. Hanley represented the club in the 1950s, 60s and 70s and his teak tough performances were the foundation for many a great victory for Kilmallock.

In 1960, still only 19, he lined out at midfield for Kilmallock in the 1960 Senior Hurling County Final and will always be remembered as one of the men that first brought the Daly Cup to the Balbec.

1967 was probably his greatest year on the hurling field. With Kilmallock in ’67 he won his, and the clubs, second Senior Hurling title. T.J. Hanley had matured into a strong, no-nonsense defender. One of his greatest attributes was his long distance striking of the ball and he set up many attacking opportunities with his clearances from the half-back line.

In the 1967 County Final against South Liberties, with his team in trouble and trailing by five points – with the rain pouring down – he faced up to a sideline ball. He hit the sideline flag out of his way and then struck the sliotar to the net from over sixty yards out. One of the great memories for anyone that was there that day and it lifted Kilmallock to go on and claim the title.

T.J. lined out for Limerick Senior team in the National Leagues of 1967 and 1968.

We cannot mention T.J. Hanley without also mentioning the contributions that his sons also gave to the club. Timmy, Gerard, Brendan, Dermot and Paidí all wore the ‘green and white’ with distinction.

T.J. Hanley will always be remembered as a great player, a tough but fair defender, a man to have at your side in a dog-fight, a warrior and a true leader.

All at Kilmallock GAA would like to extend our sympathies to T.J.’s wife Mary; to his daughters Maria and Caroline, to his sons Timmy, Gerard, Brendan, Dermot and Paudí to his sisters Mary Hennessy, Ann Cronin, Pauline Barrett and Geraldine Ryan to his grandchildren, his great grandchildren, to his extended family and his many friends.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam