Lorrha and Tipperary mourn the passing of fearless Liam King

By Shane Brophy

Tipperary hurling has lost another great following the death of All-Ireland winning defender Liam King, who passed away on Monday morning at the age of 84, following a brave battle with cancer.

“Liam King was not in the ranks of a classy stylist. His play was of a very direct kind in which physical contact of traditional Tipperary hurling played as big a role as hurling ability. In this he was also, very much, a Lorrha man, where a man was respected for the toughness of his play,” was how his brother, author Seamus J King described him in the Lorrha GAA history,

However, you don’t get to play for Tipperary without being able to hurl and he had the innate ability to shorten his strike in close quarters which meant he was rarely hooked when clearing a ball.

A defender for both club and county, his greatest moment came in 1971 when he lined out in the number 4 jersey in a full-back line not far of the famed Hell’s Kitchen for renown, now joining the late John Kelly and John Gleeson in passing to their eternal reward.

Liam was a formidable presence in the Premier County defence and a player who embodied the pride, toughness, and skill for which Tipperary hurlers have always been renowned. His Tipperary senior career spanned from 1968 to 1975.

“Liam believed in close marking and in the total blotting out of his opponent from the game. Victory was assured if his fellow backs did the same with their opponents,” it is said in the Lorrha GAA history.

Playing primarily at right corner back, he established himself as a regular member of the Tipp senior side, in his early years alternating with his club college and friend, the late Noel Lane. He also represented Munster on two occasions in the Railway Cup.

Liam’s passion for hurling started at a young age, winning two North Under 15 hurling titles in 1956 and 1957, the second turning into a county success. He went on to become a key member of the Lorrha team that captured the North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship in 1966, lining out at right half back, when they defeated Toomevara by 3-11 to 2-13 in the final before their County Championship journey eventually came to an end losing to Carrick Davins in the final.

His achievements with Lorrha extended beyond hurling. He won a county junior football medal in 1971 and was recognised as the ‘Guardian’ Player of the Year in 1972.

That dedication to Lorrha was evident throughout his long association with the club. He remained a great clubman throughout his life and following his playing career, served the club as chairperson, secretary, treasurer and county board delegate at different times, plus he managed the senior hurling team for two years.

His contribution to Tipperary hurling continued long after his playing days. In 1985, Liam served as a selector with the senior hurling team.

Liam King is best summed up by his brother Seamus who wrote in the Lorrha GAA history: “If he was feared by opponents, he was an idol to many Tipperary supporters.

“He represented the dash and determination of traditional Tipperary hurling and his uncompromising style, as he swept out to the wing to clear the ball, lifted the hearts of his supporters.”

Tipperary GAA sympathised with the King family on his passing, saying: “His contribution will be remembered by those who wore the blue and gold alongside him and by generations of Tipperary supporters who hold the great teams of the past close to their hearts.”

Funeral arrangements