What did Mick Mackey say to Christy Ring? An answer to a 70-year-old Munster hurling mystery

A 1957 Munster hurling semi-final was the setting for one of the iconic pictures not just of hurling, but of Irish sport

Christy Ring (right) shows his disapproval of umpire Mick Mackey (centre) allowing a Tipperary goal in the 1957 Munster hurling semi-final between Cork and Tipperary. Picture: Justin Nelson

A new solution to a puzzle which has perplexed hurling fans for almost 70 years has emerged this week in the lead-up to the Munster hurling final.

The controversy has centred on two of the hurling greats, Christy Ring of Cork, and Limerick's Mick Mackey. Christy Ring was on the Cork team playing Tipperary in the 1957 Munster semi-final in Limerick when he received a serious hand injury, which ended his game.