John Hunt, the Limerick fan who warmed the hearts of many around the time of last year's All-Ireland hurling final, has passed away.
The Limerick Hurling Club Chicago, of whom Hunt was a founding member, announced his passing on Facebook.
The Limerick Hurling Club Chicago would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the Hunt family on the passing of the Great John Hunt. John a native of Athea Co. Limerick was one of the founding members and the first Chiarman of the Club in 1959 which it is celebrating 60 years this year. John always kept in touch with what was happening in the club through the years. He was a frequent visitor to the dressing room in Gaelic Park over the years and was good for a speech to get the team going on Sundays. One of his dreams came true last August when he traveled back to Ireland to watch his native Limerick win the Liam McCarty Cup after a 45 year wait. John will never be forgotten in The Chicago Limerick Hurling Club. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilís.
Aged 98 at the time of last year's All-Ireland final, Hunt travelled home from Chicago to attend the game. He had been living in the US for the previous 70 years.
He had also attended the 1936 All-Ireland final which saw Limerick defeat Kilkenny.
On the Late Late Show following last year's game, he lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup after being handed it by Limerick captain Declan Hannon.
Prior to the final, Hunt told Balls in an interview that a Limerick victory over Galway would be his "ticket to heaven".
98-year-old John Hunt travelled all the way from Chicago for the All-Ireland final! pic.twitter.com/eXjNXAgQH4
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) August 19, 2018
Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
