Hurling mourns Kilkenny and James Stephens star Mick Crotty

Mick Crotty won All-Ireland titles in the black and amber in 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1979. 

Mick Crotty of Kilkenny, with team mate Jim Lynch, extreme right, has his shot blocked by Éamonn Cregan and Pat Hartigan of Limerick during the All Ireland Hurling Final match between Kilkenny and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Connolly Collection/Sportsfile

Kilkenny hurling is mourning the death of four-time All-Ireland winner Mick Crotty. 

The James Stephens clubman won All-Ireland titles in the black and amber in 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1979. He was named an All-Star in 1974 and also won six Leinster titles and a National Hurling League medal.

With his beloved Village, Crotty won four Kilkenny senior titles as well as two All-Ireland titles in 1976 and 1982.

In an interview with Enda McEvoy for the Irish Examiner in 2017, Mick said he regarded that 1976 All-Ireland with his club as his most treasured medal. The Village overcame Cork's Blackrock in that final. 

“It was a breakthrough for the club and county, even for the province. It seemed the club championship was going to be a permanent fixture in Cork. We were the first to bring it across the border into Leinster. Five points down after three minutes in the spills of rain in Thurles. I didn’t think we had a hope in hell.”

Mick Crotty and his brother Kieran on High Street in Kilkenny in 2017 before the Senior County Hurling Final between James Stephens and Dicksboro. Picture: Pat Moore

Mick holds the distinction of winning two county titles in 1969. As well as winning in his home county, he secured a Cork SHC title with UCC, where he was a student.

Paying tribute, Kilkenny GAA also noted that Mick continued to give back to hurling and "was a huge supporter of Cumann na mBunscol for upwards of 50 years."

Kilkenny GAA would like to extend its sympathies to Mick’s wife Evelyn, children Paddy, Kathryn, Michael, Olivia and James, his brothers and sisters, grandchildren and extended family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Tá siad ar chomhscór arís! Mick Crotty le cúilín gleoite do @KilkennyCLG 💪

The @VillageGAA man levels the scores again! What a battle this game is! 💯 #AllIrelandGold ar @TG4TV @gaaleinster @ballsdotie @gaanostalgia pic.twitter.com/EsF2tUt5b4

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) July 5, 2020

The James Stephens club said, in a statement: "We offer our sincere condolences to the Crotty family. Mick was a club legend who contributed to so many of our successes over the years as a player and selector. At dheis Dé go raibh sé."