Kilkenny great White dies at 102
October 13, 2011
Kilkenny All Ireland SHC Championship winners 1933
Front l-r; J. Fitzpatrick, John Duggan, P.Larkin, E. Doyle, Martin White, T.Grace, Matt Power, Johnnie Dunne
Middle l-r: J Keoghan, Dick Sullivan, E.Byrne, Martin Power, J.Darmody, P.O'Reilly, Paddy Phelan, Tom Leahy, S.Gibbons, M.Dalton.
Back l-r: Sean McCarthy, J.Walsh, P.Byrne, J.Farrell, J.O'Connell, L.Meagher, Rev. W.Brennan
Born in 1909 in Lacken, near Tullaroan, White attended both Kilkenny CBS and St. Kieran's College before going on to win three All-Ireland senior hurling medals with the Cats in 1932, '33 and '35. He also played in the 1931 All-Ireland final, which Kilkenny lost to Cork after three games.
In addition, he collected three Kilkenny SHC medals with Tullaroan and helped Leinster to a Railway Cup success in 1936.
White, who had lived in Dublin in recent years, visited Croke Park before this year's All-Ireland final between Kilkenny and Tipperary and was presented with a copy of the programme from the famous 'Thunder and Lightning' All-Ireland final of 1939.
In paying tribute to the Tullaroan and Kilkenny legend, GAA president Christy Cooney said: "Martin's passion for our games and for hurling specifically remained undimmed and I had the privilege of meeting him in the run up to this year's hurling final, which he was looking forward to immensely.
"The memories of his playing days remained incredibly vivid and he was a big admirer of the current Kilkenny team. I know this feeling was reciprocated and am fully aware of the high regard he was held in by so many people in Kilkenny GAA circles.
"I pass on my sympathies to his family and wide circle of friends and admirers." Tweet
