Martin White (hurler)
Encyclopedia
Martin White was an Irish
hurler
who played as a centre-forward for the Kilkenny
senior team.
White made his first appearance for the team during the 1931 championship
and became a regular member of the team until his retirement following the conclusion of the 1938 championship
. During that time he won three All-Ireland
winner's medals and three Leinster
winner's medals.
At club level White enjoyed lengthy careers with Tullaroan
in Kilkenny and with Blackrock
in Cork. He won three county club championship winners' medals with the former.
Until his death White held the distinction of being the oldest living senior All-Ireland
medal winners.
, County Kilkenny
, in 1909. One of a family of fourteen he was educated locally at Bonnettstown national school before later attending St. James's CBS
and St. Kieran's College, a famous hurling nursery for young talent. Following his secondary education White began working for Clover Meats in Waterford
in 1929. After ten years as a butcher in the city he later moved to Cork
. White moved to Dublin in 1948 where he became a baker.
White married his wife Peg Ryan in 1947; the couple had seven children. He died at Glasnevin
, Dublin, aged 102, in 2011.
club and enjoyed much success. As a sixteen year-old he played hurling with the club's junior team until he was promoted to senior status in 1929. In his second season on the club's senior team, Tullaroan qualified for the final of the county senior championship, with Urlingford providing the opposition. That game was a huge triumph for Tullaroan and White collected a coveted county winners' medal following a 4-4 to 0-3 trouncing. After surrendering their title in 1931, Tullaroan were back in the county club championship decider again in 1933. Carrickshock
were the opponents on that occasion and a high-scoring game developed. Eleven goals were scored in total, with White ending up on the winning side by 6-5 to 5-4. It was his second county winners' medal.
In 1934, Tullaroan set out to successfully defend their title. All went to plan as White's side reached the county final once again. For the second year in succession, Carrickshock provided the opposition, however, the result remained the same. White added a third county medal to his collection following a 6-6 to 1-5 trouncing. Tullaroan failed to make it three-in-a-row, however, White lined out in his fourth county championship decider in 1936. Mooncoin were the opponents and little separated the two sides. At the long whistle White's side were just about defeated by 4-2 to 4-1.
After moving to Cork White joined the famous Blackrock
club. He enjoyed little success here, as "the Rockies" were going through an uncharacteristic dry-spell.
senior inter-county team when he made his debut in 1931. After missing Kilkenny's 4-7 to 4-2 Leinster final defeat of Laois
, he was named to start in the subsequent All-Ireland final against arch-rivals Cork. The game itself turned out to be a remarkable contest with both sides ending the game with 1-6 apiece. The replay took place one month later and proved to be just as exciting a contest as the first game.
White, however, was dropped for the replay. In spite of a great display by Lory Meagher
a winner couldn’t be found and both sides finished level again at 2-5 apiece. After this game officials pressed for extra time, however, Cork captain Eudie Coughlan
rejected this. It was also suggested at a meeting of the GAA
's Central Council that both counties be declared joint champions and that half an All-Ireland medal by given to each player. This motion was later defeated. As the All-Ireland saga went to a third meeting White was still confined to the bench. In spite of fielding a younger team, Kilkenny were defeated by Cork on a score line of 5-8 to 3-4.
White missed Kilkenny's successful defence of their provincial crown in 1932, however, he was included at full-forward for the All-Ireland final against Clare
. It was both sides first ever meeting in the history of the championship. In a low-scoring but tense game Clare’s Tull Considine scored two goals and was foiled for what would almost certainly have been a third. These goals were negated by Kilkenny’s three goal-scoring heroes Matty Power
, Lory Meagher, who scored a remarkable goal from a line ball, and White himself. The final score of 3-3 to 2-3 gave victory to Kilkenny and gave White a coveted All-Ireland
medal.
1933 saw White miss Kilkenny's third consecutive Leinster final triumph, however, in a similar pattern to recent years, he secured a place on the starting fifteen for the subsequent All-Ireland final. Limerick
lined out against the Leinster champions on that occasion as just over 45,000 people turned up at Croke Park
. Such was the crowd that the gates were locked five minutes before the game began and 5,000 people were locked out. The game was a close one; however, Kilkenny sealed the victory with a great solo-run goal by Johnny Dunne
. A 1-7 to 0-6 win gave White his second consecutive All-Ireland medal.
Kilkenny were back in 1935 with White finally collecting a Leinster
winners' medal on the field of play following his team's 3-8 to 0-6 defeat of Laois. Another All-Ireland final appearance beckoned with red-hot favourites Limerick providing the opposition once again. They were the reigning National Hurling League
and All-Ireland champions and had played a remarkable thirty-one games without defeat. In spite of rain falling throughout the entire game both sides served up a great game. At the beginning of the second-half Lory Meagher sent over a huge point from midfield giving Kilkenny a lead which they wouldn’t surrender. As a result of this victory White captured a third All-Ireland medal in four years.
By 1936 White had firmly established himself as a key member of the Kilkenny team. That year he was rewarded when he picked up a second Leinster winners' medal following a 4-6 to 2-5 defeat of Laois. Kilkenny later qualified for the All-Ireland final where Limerick provided the opposition for the third time in four years. On this occasion White's side were completely outclassed. Three more Limerick goals followed in the second-half as Kilkenny were well beaten by 5-6 to 1-5. 1937 saw Kilkenny qualify for the Leinster final once again. Westmeath
were accounted for on that occasion by a score line of 5-3 to 2-4 as White collected his third Leinster winners' medal.
The subsequent All-Ireland final was played in the unusual surroundings of FitzGerald Stadium
in Killarney
due to a builders strike at Croke Park. Tipperary
were the opponents on that occasion and surprised Kilkenny with a tour de force. Lory Meagher came on as a substitute in the second-half to score his team's only point of the half. Kilkenny collapsed as Tipp recorded a 3-11 to 0-3 victory in one of the most one-sided championship deciders ever. White played for the team again in 1938, however, Kilkenny were defeated in a replay of the provincial final. It was his last game.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He won his sole Railway Cup winners' medal as a non-playing substitute in 1936 when his provine defeated Munster
by 2-8 to 3-4.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
hurler
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
who played as a centre-forward for the Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
senior team.
White made his first appearance for the team during the 1931 championship
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1931
The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1931 was the 45th series of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, Ireland's premier hurling knock-out competition...
and became a regular member of the team until his retirement following the conclusion of the 1938 championship
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1938
The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1938 was the 52nd series of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, Ireland's premier hurling knock-out competition. Dublin won the championship, beating Waterford 2-5 to 1-6 in the final.-Format:...
. During that time he won three All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
winner's medals and three Leinster
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
winner's medals.
At club level White enjoyed lengthy careers with Tullaroan
Tullaroan GAA
Tullaroan is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the village of Tullaroan in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1884 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling. Tullaroan is the most successful club in the history of the Kilkenny Senior Hurling...
in Kilkenny and with Blackrock
Blackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
in Cork. He won three county club championship winners' medals with the former.
Until his death White held the distinction of being the oldest living senior All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal winners.
Biography
White was born in Lacken near TullaroanTullaroan
Tullaroan is a village on the west side of County Kilkenny in the Slieveardagh Hills near the Tipperary border. Tullaroan is also the name of the local civil parish.-Sport:...
, County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny
County Kilkenny is a county in Ireland. It is part of the South-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Kilkenny. The territory of the county was the core part of the ancient Irish Kingdom of Osraige which in turn was the core of the Diocese of...
, in 1909. One of a family of fourteen he was educated locally at Bonnettstown national school before later attending St. James's CBS
Congregation of Christian Brothers
The Congregation of Christian Brothers is a worldwide religious community within the Catholic Church, founded by Blessed Edmund Rice. The Christian Brothers, as they are commonly known, chiefly work for the evangelisation and education of youth, but are involved in many ministries, especially with...
and St. Kieran's College, a famous hurling nursery for young talent. Following his secondary education White began working for Clover Meats in Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
in 1929. After ten years as a butcher in the city he later moved to Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
. White moved to Dublin in 1948 where he became a baker.
White married his wife Peg Ryan in 1947; the couple had seven children. He died at Glasnevin
Glasnevin
Glasnevin is a largely residential neighbourhood of Dublin, Ireland.-Geography:A mainly residential neighbourhood, it is located on the Northside of the city of Dublin . It was originally established on the northern bank of the River Tolka...
, Dublin, aged 102, in 2011.
Club
White played his club hurling with the famous TullaroanTullaroan GAA
Tullaroan is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the village of Tullaroan in County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1884 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling. Tullaroan is the most successful club in the history of the Kilkenny Senior Hurling...
club and enjoyed much success. As a sixteen year-old he played hurling with the club's junior team until he was promoted to senior status in 1929. In his second season on the club's senior team, Tullaroan qualified for the final of the county senior championship, with Urlingford providing the opposition. That game was a huge triumph for Tullaroan and White collected a coveted county winners' medal following a 4-4 to 0-3 trouncing. After surrendering their title in 1931, Tullaroan were back in the county club championship decider again in 1933. Carrickshock
Carrickshock GAA
Carrickshock is an Irish Gaelic Athletic Association club situated in the south of County Kilkenny, Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 when the teams from Hugginstown and Knockmoylan were amalgamated....
were the opponents on that occasion and a high-scoring game developed. Eleven goals were scored in total, with White ending up on the winning side by 6-5 to 5-4. It was his second county winners' medal.
In 1934, Tullaroan set out to successfully defend their title. All went to plan as White's side reached the county final once again. For the second year in succession, Carrickshock provided the opposition, however, the result remained the same. White added a third county medal to his collection following a 6-6 to 1-5 trouncing. Tullaroan failed to make it three-in-a-row, however, White lined out in his fourth county championship decider in 1936. Mooncoin were the opponents and little separated the two sides. At the long whistle White's side were just about defeated by 4-2 to 4-1.
After moving to Cork White joined the famous Blackrock
Blackrock GAA
Blackrock National Hurling Club is a G.A.A. club located on the southside of Cork City, Ireland. The club was founded in 1883 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-History:...
club. He enjoyed little success here, as "the Rockies" were going through an uncharacteristic dry-spell.
Inter-county
White first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the KilkennyKilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
senior inter-county team when he made his debut in 1931. After missing Kilkenny's 4-7 to 4-2 Leinster final defeat of Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
, he was named to start in the subsequent All-Ireland final against arch-rivals Cork. The game itself turned out to be a remarkable contest with both sides ending the game with 1-6 apiece. The replay took place one month later and proved to be just as exciting a contest as the first game.
White, however, was dropped for the replay. In spite of a great display by Lory Meagher
Lory Meagher
Lorenzo Ignatius Meagher , better known as Lory Meagher, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Tullaroan and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team from 1924 until 1937...
a winner couldn’t be found and both sides finished level again at 2-5 apiece. After this game officials pressed for extra time, however, Cork captain Eudie Coughlan
Eudie Coughlan
Eugene 'Eudie' Coughlan was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and with the Cork senior inter-county team from 1919 until 1931. Coughlan captained Cork to the All-Ireland title in 1931...
rejected this. It was also suggested at a meeting of the GAA
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
's Central Council that both counties be declared joint champions and that half an All-Ireland medal by given to each player. This motion was later defeated. As the All-Ireland saga went to a third meeting White was still confined to the bench. In spite of fielding a younger team, Kilkenny were defeated by Cork on a score line of 5-8 to 3-4.
White missed Kilkenny's successful defence of their provincial crown in 1932, however, he was included at full-forward for the All-Ireland final against Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
. It was both sides first ever meeting in the history of the championship. In a low-scoring but tense game Clare’s Tull Considine scored two goals and was foiled for what would almost certainly have been a third. These goals were negated by Kilkenny’s three goal-scoring heroes Matty Power
Matty Power
Matty Power was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling at various times with his local clubs Dicksboro and Garda. Power was also a member of the Kilkenny and Dublin senior inter-county team in the 1920s and 1930s. He is regarded as one of Kilkenny’s greatest-ever...
, Lory Meagher, who scored a remarkable goal from a line ball, and White himself. The final score of 3-3 to 2-3 gave victory to Kilkenny and gave White a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal.
1933 saw White miss Kilkenny's third consecutive Leinster final triumph, however, in a similar pattern to recent years, he secured a place on the starting fifteen for the subsequent All-Ireland final. Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
lined out against the Leinster champions on that occasion as just over 45,000 people turned up at Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
. Such was the crowd that the gates were locked five minutes before the game began and 5,000 people were locked out. The game was a close one; however, Kilkenny sealed the victory with a great solo-run goal by Johnny Dunne
Johnny Dunne
Johnny Dunne was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling at various times with his local clubs Mooncoin and Dicksboro and was a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team in the 1930s. With Kilkenny Dunne won two All-Ireland titles, three Leinster titles and a National Hurling League title....
. A 1-7 to 0-6 win gave White his second consecutive All-Ireland medal.
Kilkenny were back in 1935 with White finally collecting a Leinster
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
winners' medal on the field of play following his team's 3-8 to 0-6 defeat of Laois. Another All-Ireland final appearance beckoned with red-hot favourites Limerick providing the opposition once again. They were the reigning National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
and All-Ireland champions and had played a remarkable thirty-one games without defeat. In spite of rain falling throughout the entire game both sides served up a great game. At the beginning of the second-half Lory Meagher sent over a huge point from midfield giving Kilkenny a lead which they wouldn’t surrender. As a result of this victory White captured a third All-Ireland medal in four years.
By 1936 White had firmly established himself as a key member of the Kilkenny team. That year he was rewarded when he picked up a second Leinster winners' medal following a 4-6 to 2-5 defeat of Laois. Kilkenny later qualified for the All-Ireland final where Limerick provided the opposition for the third time in four years. On this occasion White's side were completely outclassed. Three more Limerick goals followed in the second-half as Kilkenny were well beaten by 5-6 to 1-5. 1937 saw Kilkenny qualify for the Leinster final once again. Westmeath
Westmeath GAA
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Westmeath...
were accounted for on that occasion by a score line of 5-3 to 2-4 as White collected his third Leinster winners' medal.
The subsequent All-Ireland final was played in the unusual surroundings of FitzGerald Stadium
FitzGerald Stadium
Fitzgerald Stadium is the principal Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Killarney, Ireland, and is the home championship venue for the Kerry senior football team....
in Killarney
Killarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
due to a builders strike at Croke Park. Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
were the opponents on that occasion and surprised Kilkenny with a tour de force. Lory Meagher came on as a substitute in the second-half to score his team's only point of the half. Kilkenny collapsed as Tipp recorded a 3-11 to 0-3 victory in one of the most one-sided championship deciders ever. White played for the team again in 1938, however, Kilkenny were defeated in a replay of the provincial final. It was his last game.
Inter-provincial
White also lined out with LeinsterLeinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He won his sole Railway Cup winners' medal as a non-playing substitute in 1936 when his provine defeated Munster
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
by 2-8 to 3-4.
Tullaroan
- Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship:
- Winner (3): 1930, 1933, 1934
- Runner-up (1): 1936
Kilkenny
- All-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
:- Winner (3): 1932All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1932The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1932 was the 46th series of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, Ireland's premier hurling knock-out competition...
, 1933All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1933The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1933 was the 47th series of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, Ireland's premier hurling knock-out competition...
, 1935All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1935-Munster Senior Hurling Championship:-----------------All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship:---------Sources:* Corry, Eoghan, The GAA Book of Lists .... - Runner-up (3): 1931All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1931The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1931 was the 45th series of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, Ireland's premier hurling knock-out competition...
, 1936All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1936The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1936 was the 50th series of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, Ireland's premier hurling knock-out competition. Limerick won the championship, beating Kilkenny 5-6 to 1-5 in the final.-Format:...
, 1937All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 1937The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship of 1937 was the 51st edition of Ireland’s premier hurling knockout competition. The championship ran from May to September of that year, culminating with the All-Ireland final, held at FitzGerald Stadium, Killarney on 5 September. The match was...
- Winner (3): 1932
- Leinster Senior Hurling ChampionshipLeinster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
:- Winner (3): 1935, 1936, 1937
- Runner-up (2): 1934, 1938