Tipperary’s 1961 All-Ireland senior hurling championship winning captain Matt Hassett has died at the age of 93.

He was the first man from the Toomevara club to captain Tipp to an All-Ireland SHC titles after the Premier men defeated Dublin by 0-16 to 1-12 at Croke Park.

Injury forced Hassett to retire from the game just two years after the victory over the capital men and he’d go on to take up a number of different administrative roles.

Those roles would be with Toomevara, the north board and the county board and, at the time of his passing, was Tipperary GAA president.

Tipperary county board released the following statement yesterday after news of Mr Hassett’s death:

“It is with deep sadness that Tipperary GAA learned of the passing of our president and former Tipperary GAA Hurler Matt Hassett," it read.

"Matt’s passing has brought an end to over 75 years of unbroken service to the GAA and especially to his beloved Toomevara GAA club.

"From an early age Matt developed a special love for hurling and after winning an North intermediate medal in 1955 he went on win 4 senior North senior championships between 1958 and 1962 and of the historic County final win over Thurles Sarsfields in 1960.

"In 1961 he had the wonderful honour of captaining Tipperary to victory in that year’s All-Ireland, he also lifted the National league trophy and the Oireachtas cup that same year.

"Matt was also an accomplished footballer, winning 3 county senior football medals between 1958 and 1961.

"Matt also excelled as an administrator and in the early 1950’s he was appointed club secretary, going on to serve as secretary of the north Tipp board between 1964 to 1968. He later was elected Treasurer of Tipperary GAA County Board and at the time of his passing was President of Tipperary County Board, North Tipperary GAA  Board and Toomevara GAA club.

"He was also elected club chairman in 1976. Matt has served his county and his club well over the years as a player, an efficient administrator and a loyal supporter.

"Throughout all those years he was greatly admired by many especially for his wonderful sportsmanship,his ready wit and great sense of humour and above all his modesty endeared him to many.

"Tipperary GAA extends our sincere sympathies to Matt’s sons Mark and Paul, sister Nell, brother Paddy, daughters-in-law Liadhan and Sarah and the extended Hassett family."

Matt Hassett RIP
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— Tipperary GAA (@TipperaryGAA) April 3, 2025

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