Len Gaynor (1944 - )

As a player and a coach, Len Gaynor has undoubtedly been the club's greatest ambassador. In both roles, he has served Kilruane MacDonaghs and Tipperary with distinction.

Len played his first juvenile game in 1955, and in a playing career that incredibly lasted 34 years, he played his last game for the club in the Junior B championship against Moneygall in 1989.

In 1959 he captained the MacDonaghs juvenile team to county honours against Ballybacon/Grange. Having completed his primary education in Kilruane N.S., he attended St. Flannan's Secondary School and in 1961 led them to victory in the Dean Ryan Cup final against De La Salle Waterford.

In 1962 he made his debut for the Tipperary minors against Limerick. That team went on to win the Munster final against Cork but lost the All-Ireland to a Tom Walsh inspired Kilkenny. In the same year Len had his first game for the MacDonaghs senior team against Thurles Sarsfields, in a tournament final on Easter Sunday. Toomevara thwarted his attempt to win a North medal when they had a two points victory in the final.

Len's performances with the club brought him to the attention of the county selectors and in 1964 he made a winning debut for the Tipperary senior team, in the Oireachtas final against Kilkenny. For the next decade he was a permanent fixture in the number seven jersey. Micheal O'Hehir described him as a "teak tough defender". This quality, allied to his dashing style and quick striking, made him a firm favourite with the supporters of the blue and gold. Later in the year, he was on the Tipperary u/21 team which defeated Wexford to win the All-Ireland final.

Len was also a substitute on the senior team which had a convincing victory over Kilkenny in the All-Ireland senior final. As a juvenile and minor, Len had admired Tony Wall. In 1965 he had the honour of playing alongside Tony in the All-Ireland final, as the Premier county easily dealt with the challenge of Wexford. To crown a magnificent year, he captained MacDonaghs to a North final victory over Lorrha.

In 1967 he gave an outstanding display in the All-Ireland final when Tipperary lost out to Kilkenny. However, his consistent brilliance throughout the year was recognised when he was selected Tipperary Hurler of the Year. Len collected his third Celtic Cross in 1971 when Tipperary defeated Kilkenny.

This fearless half-back last wore the blue and gold in a 1974 league game against Limerick. In an eleven year intercounty career, he numbers Kilkenny's Eddie Keher and Jimmy O'Brien of Wexford as his most difficult opponents.

While giving sterling service to Tipperary, Len also made many appearances for Munster in the Railway Cup winning three medals in the process. Having departed the intercounty scene, Len devoted his energies and talents to his own club. In 1971 he coached the minor team to win the county final and he was the inspiration and driving force behind the u/21 sides, which won 6 North and four county titles in the seventies.

One of the proudest moments of his career came in 1977 when he played on and coached the MacDonaghs team, which brought the second county senior hurling title to the parish, after a lapse of seventy five years. Len guided that side to a hat trick of county titles.

In 1986 he brought the club to the pinnacle of success when the senior team, moulded in his image, won the All-Ireland club title against Buffers Alley, in what Paddy Downey of "The Irish Times" said was the best ever club final.

Len's qualities as a trainer and coach were also in demand on the intercounty scene. He was a selector on the Tipperary minor team which won the Munster final in 1973 and he filled the same role with the u/21's in 1974. He was also a selector with the senior side in 1983, '84 and '86. In 1997 and 1998 he was manager of the Tipperary senior team, going within a puck of the ball of landing the All-Ireland crown with the '97 side.

Len was manager of the Clare senior team between 1991 and 1994, and even the most partisan Banner supporter acknowledges the crucial role he played in the rise to prominence of the saffron and blue.

While Len's first loyalty has always been to Kilruane MacDonaghs, he has also put his talents at the disposal of other clubs, but in doing so he never compromised his passionate allegiance to his own club. He trained Moycarkey and Clonoulty to win the Dan Breen Cup and he guided Shannon Rovers and Newport to county intermediate titles. He also steered Moneygall to county u/21 hurling success in 1992.

Although heavily involved in the coaching and training of teams, Len found time to be an active and effective club committee member. He was club chairman in 1995 and 1996, overseeing the opening of the stand in Thomas MacDonagh Park in 1995. After 45 years of selfless service to Kilruane MacDonaghs, Len is as committed and as energetic as ever, with his infectious enthusiasm a source of inspiration to every other member of the club.

In 2006 Len lead the County U21 team to Munster Final Success and failed narrowly to capture the All-Ireland, losing a reply to Kilkenny.

Len's achievements:
3 All-Ireland senior medals 3 county senior medals
1 All-Ireland u/21 medal 4 North senior medals
6 Munster senior medals 1 county junior medal
2 Munster u/21 medals 1 North junior medal
1 Munster minor medal 1 county u/15 medal
2 National League medals 1 North u/15 medal
4 Oireachtas medals
Tipperary Hurler of the Year 1967
3 Railway Cup medals

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