Former Tipperary hurler Mick Roche has died, aged 73.
The legendary centre-back won three All-Ireland titles with Tipperary during an inter-county playing career that stretched from 1964 to 1973.
He also picked up five Munster and three League titles at senior level, in addition to successes at minor and U21.
Roche played his club hurling with the Carrick Davins club in Tipperary although in later life he lived in the Horse and Jockey, near Thurles.
Roche has long been included in the conversation when discussing the all-time greats of the GAA, with Evening Echo journalist John Horgan describing him as a ‘pure hurler’.
“One of the first true hurling centre-backs, he was a perfectionist during a glorious era for Tipperary in the same period that Doyle starred in attack. This guy was a pure hurler and a teak tough operator in a different era for the game.”
GAA fans have paid tribute to the hurler online since the news broke.
Arguably Tipperary's greatest ever senior hurling centre back, Mick Roche, has passed away, aged 73 @NenaghGuardian
— Shane Brophy (@BrophShane) December 7, 2016
Sad news, growing up always remember elders including my father talking about Mick Roche's performance in the '68 All-Ireland v Wexford https://t.co/MejQYQv8HY
— Brian Flannery (@BrianJAFlannery) December 7, 2016
Hopefully #TG4 show the 1968 All Ireland between Tipp and #Wexford soon. Mick Roche was awesome that day at centre back in a losing effort
— Shane Brophy (@BrophShane) December 7, 2016
