Popularly known as Mick, he was born in Dundrum, Co. Tipperary. Mick played minor hurling for his native county before taking up a job as a clerical officer with CIE in 1949. Shortly afterwards he joined St Patricks GAA club and testimony to Mick's hurling ability was the fact that he became a regular member of the 'Saints' senior hurling team and gave some great displays in helping the club with the 1950 Limerick senior championship.

In that final versus City Gaels Mick gave an outstanding display at centre-back to help Saints to win by 4-5 to 3-5.
The St Patricks team lined out as follows that day: Paddy Collopy; Sean O'Connell, Brendan Tobin, Paddy Shanny; Seamus Keating, Michael Ryan, James Fitzgerald; Paddy Fitzgerald, Anthony Shanny; Nick O'Dea, Gerald O'Sullivan, Johnny Foley; Michael Cunneen, Willie Maher, Mick O'Halloran. Subs used: Toddy O'Brien and Roger McSweeney for Mick Cunneen and Nick O Dea respectively.

St Patrick's started on the 1950 campaign with the confidence of reigning champions, and their first engagement was with the Eastern selection, Geraldine's. The latter, mostly composed of players from Cappamore, South Liberties and Pallasgreen who had fully extended the champions in the 1949 final, were confident of their ability to reverse the verdict on this occasion, but Saints had a rather easy victory and went on to meet Emmet's who included such stars as JJ O'Brien, Mick Sexton, Mick and Bertie Mullane and Mick Potter in their selection, were no match for the City men, who next encountered a fancied Treaty Sarsfield side in the County semi final.

St Patrick's caused another surprise, winning 2-4 to 0-5. They thus qualified to meet City Gaels in what was to prove a thrilling final. It was a great game, played at a breakneck pace throughout with the issue in doubt to the end. The game was played in a fine sporting spirit and with marking very close on the ground and in the air there was little room for fancy stuff.

City Gaels had some outstanding individuals but they did not knit together as a unit, while on the other hand Saints combined manificently and they were just about worth their victory, which made them county champions for the second year in succession. City Gaels forward line included hurlers of the calibre of Dermot Kelly, Tom Boland etc.

Also in 1950 Mick gave a great display at left half-back for his adopted County Limerick versus Tipperary in the Munster Senior hurling championship.
Although hurling was his first love Mick also played football with St. Patrick's. Mick's hurling career with Saints ended in 1963, but never lost interest in our club.

Sadly the majority of Mick's teammates in 1950 are now deceased. Only a few remain including, Jack Sheehan, Brendan Tobin and Pa McMahon. It was fitting that our club demonstrated the esteem in which Mick was held by providing a Guard of Honour at the removal and funeral. The Guard of Honour included former club players with Jack Sheehan (Club Treasurer), Paddy Quilligan (Club Chairman), Vivian Cobbe (Club Vice President), Eamonn Phelan (Club Secretary) and Noel Phelan.

Mick was laid to rest on December 23, 2011 in Mungret cemetery. Ar dheis De go Raibh a anam dilis.

- Courtesy of Limerick Leader, January 14 2012 Tweet

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