RIP - Record breaking international Kilkenny athlete has died

A Kilkenny record-breaking athlete, who captained the national team on the European stage, has died.

Johnny Mackey was a nine-times national champion in the field of race walking and a proud member of St Joseph’s AC. 

Originally from Ballycroney, Glenmore, he lived in Saltmills, outside New Ross in Co Wexford.

Johnny Mackey became the first Irishman to break 13 minutes for the 3,000m race walk event, finishing in 12:57:02, in 1972.  He then went on to captain the Irish team in the 20km Lugand Cup in Sweden.

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Having been a member of Glenmore AC in his youth, Mr Mackey became the second ever chairman of the newly formed St Joseph’s AC, an amalgamation of Glenmore and Tullogher area athletes,  in the late 60s.

He was hailed as ‘the greatest race walker in Ireland’ in the 60s and 70s. Mr Mackey didn’t just take nine national race walking titles, at 10,000m and 3,000m distances, but also wore the Irish singlet with pride and distinction on the International stage.

His love of the sport lasted long past his own competition days and was even cheering on the sidelines as the Kilkenny Athletics County Board held their first ever World Athletics-approved competition, in May 2024.

Held at the Pink Rock and hosted by St Joseph’s AC, over 90 racewalkers from all over Ireland attended the Kilkenny Racewalking Grand Prix. 

On the sidelines Mr Mackey swelled with pride as he witnessed the amazing spectacle of over 90 racewalkers competing on his home turf and said: “This would have been a dream in my time.”

In his later years Mr Mackey enjoyed traditional music and ‘mumming’ and over the years made friends on trips with a group from Glenmore that travelled to Medjugorje.

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Mr Mackey passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, on Saturday, June 28.

Tributes have been paid to the man who was not only “a great athlete” but also  “a real gentleman and a great neighbour” by his friends and those in the athletic clubs he competed with and against.

He is survived by his loving wife Margaret, children Colm, Alan, Maria and Vinny, grandchildren Rachel, Ruby, Ailbhe, Darragh, Siofra, Senan, Eabha, Kieran and Rían, daughters-in-law, son-in-law, sister Kitty, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and many friends.

Funeral Details

Reposing in Doyle's Funeral Home, The Old Rectory, Rosbercon, New Ross from 4pm today, Monday, June 30, concluding with prayers at 7pm.

Funeral to arrive at St. Martin's Church, Ballycullane, for 12noon Requiem Mass tomorrow, Tuesday, July 1, followed by burial in Ballycullane Cemetery.