Former All-Ireland winning captain Matt Hassett passes away

The Toomevara man led Tipp to championship glory in 1961.

WHEN WE WERE KINGS: Cork's Christy Ring and Matt Hassett of Tipperary vie for possession in the 1960 Oireachtas final

The death has occurred of Tipperary’s 1961 All-Ireland SHC winning captain Matt Hassett. The Toomevara man (93) passed away on Wednesday.

Hassett also won two Munster senior championships and a Division 1 title before he was forced to retire due to a hand injury in 1963.

Hassett, who had been president of the Tipperary County Board, served in many administrative roles with his club, the north board and county board.

Six years after becoming secretary of Toomevara in 1954, he was part of the team that claimed their first senior hurling championship in 29 years. They were runners-up the following season and Hassett also claimed three senior county football titles with north Tipperary combination sides.

Hassett didn’t play in the 1960 Division 1 final win over Cork but in that debut season was a key part of the full-back line in the championship when they beat The Rebels in the Munster final before losing to Wexford in the All-Ireland final.

He lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup the following season when Tipperary overcame Dublin and added a second Celtic Cross in 1962 as a substitute.

A solicitor by trade, Hassett was treasurer of the county board between 1973 and ’75. He was a selector with the Tipperary minor and U21 teams in the late 1960s.

Tipperary GAA expressed "deep sadness" at his death.

"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.

"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."