The Late Johnny Larkin The euphoria of victory for the Lorrha Intermediate team became quickly muted as sadly following the game, one of our most loyal supporters and former great and captain, Johnny Larkin died as he was leaving the pitch in Cloughjordan. Johnny lived for hurling and was a regular spectator at all Lorrha matches in good times and bad. His happy smiling face following the final whistle said it all as he saw his beloved Lorrha came from behind against neighbours and rivals Borrisokane to earn a crucial win. After a number of poor years, he saw Lorrha were on the way back. Johnny had a distinguished hurling career for Lorrha. He hurled for the Lorrha Juniors from 1949 to 1954 before he was elevated to the Senior panel in 1955. He played his first match for the senior team at wing-back against Roscrea in Borrisokane on 22 May 1955. Johnny won the first of his two North Tipperary Senior medals in the glorious year of 1956. Although he was not on the team at the early part of that year, Lorrha's poor form saw Johnny promoted to the team to wing back for the semi-final win over Toomevara. He held his place for the final against Borris-IIeigh where he starred for Lorrha. This was written in the Lorrha GAA History Book regarding that game. "As well as Tony Reddan stars of the Lorrha defence was right corner back Seamus King and right half back Johnny Larkin. The latter proved an inspiration to his side. Although not big in stature, he was certainly big in heart and was constantly popping up wherever and whenever danger threatened." Johnny picked up an injury and missed the county semi-final win over Pearses but returned for the final where Lorrha were defeated by the great Thurles Sarsfield team of the day. Johnny continued to hurl Senior for Lorrha and in 1965, Johnny was positioned at right corner back and was also made Captain. Johnny was a man for the big occasion and in their wins over Toomevara and Roscrea that year, Johnny stood out. Sadly a goal three minutes from time in the North Final denied Johnny the chance to lift the cup and Kilruane emerged winners. Johnny was a part of the Lorrha senior panel who won the North championship in 1966. Johnny missed the early round of matches but played in the semi-final win over Kilruane. Johnny missed out on playing in the North Final win over Toomervara. Johnny would have played anywhere for Lorrha and in the County quarter-final he played in goals as Lorrha defeated Golden-Kilfeacle. After being awarded the county semi-final after Holycross fielded an illegal player, Lorrha played Carrick Davins in the final and Johnny reclaimed his corner back jersey but Lorrha were defeated. Johnny hurled senior until 1968. Johnny then became involved in management of many Lorrha teams and in 1974 was elected a selector of the Senior hurling team. In 1978 Johnny was once again a selector with both the senior and junior teams along with Liam King and Michael Kennedy. In 1979 he was a selector of the Junior team along with Padraig Kennedy and Pat Reddin and continued as selector in 1980 along with Liam Moran and John Sherlock. In 1982, Johnny once again became a selector with the Senior team as a new successful team was coming of age. He was joined by Jim Lane, Michael Kennedy and Liam King, Lorrha were defeated by Silvermines in that years championship. Johnny was a great champion of Lorrha GAA Club and his presence on the sideline at future Lorrha matched will be missed by both players and spectators. He died a happy man seeing his Lorrha being successful once more and on a pitch at MacDonagh Park, Cloughjordan where he had numerous successes. A huge crowd gathered for his funeral in Lorrha Church and his coffin was covered with the Lorrha flag and accompanied by a guard of honour from past and present players and officials from Lorrha GAA Club. He was buried in Lorrha cemetery. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Tipperary Star 23rd July 2005 Tweet

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