The Late Jack Lalor The death took place on Tuesday May 24, 2005 of Mr Jack Lalor (86) of Kilkenny Street, Freshford, Co. Kilkenny. He was a good living, quiet and inoffensive man. He was a member of a family steeped in a great hurling tradition. His father Martin was a member of the Kilkenny team that won the first All-Ireland senior hurling final when they beat Cork in the 1904 decider. He was also on the team that won the following year. His uncle Jim, who manufactured the famous Lalor sliothar, was also on those winning teams. Another uncle John who was secretary of the Co Board, refereed the 1914 All-Ireland senior hurling final between Clare and Laois. His cousin Martin Roundy Lalor was on the 1922 All-Ireland winning team that beat Tipperary in the final. Jack's father manufactured the famous Lalor hurley, and it was by accident that he went into the hurley business full time. He had been making his own hurleys since the early 1900s. On one occasion while playing for Kilkenny against Dublin, Lalor's opponent, Jimmy McCormack, a native of Borrisoleigh, was so impressed with the quality of Martin's stick that he ordered a half dozen hurleys. It was this incident that promoted Lalor to begin making hurleys on a commercial basis. Jack joined his father in the trade in the mid-thirties. He continued in the business for close on 50 years. The Lalor hurley was used the length and breadth of Ireland, and they were exported to the US and Great Britain. Jack played hurling for a number of years with the local team. He was the last surviving member of the Freshford team that beat Danesfort in the 1939 Northern junior hurling final before going down to Mullinvat in the county final. Jack married Kit Purcell of Bawnmore, Johnstown in 1957. She was also an avid GAA supporter and followed the fortunes of the Denians, St Lactain's and Kilkenny. She was also big into greyhounds. With Jack she bred and reared many fine greyhounds under the prefix 'Nippy'. Lalor's was a homely house to visit, and the topic of conversation would usually be GAA and greyhounds. Kit died over nine years ago. In the Winter months Jack enjoyed a good game of 25s, and during the Summer evenings he would be seen sitting on Annie May Fortune's windowsill as he chatted with neighbours and friends like Nicky Mackey, or in times past the late Jack Kelly. He loved to ramble out to the local GAA grounds and watch the games there. In recent years as Jack's health deteriorated he got good care and attention from his good neighbours, friends and carers. He is survived by his sister, Kitty Hayes, Wales; nephews Shem and Martin O'Donnell, niece Siobhan O'Donnell, Threecastles; relatives, neighbours and friends. He was laid to rest in Tulla cemetery. May the sod of Tulla cemetery lie lightly on his breast. Courtesy of the Kilkenny People 10th June 2005 Tweet

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