Camera was drawn to some of the real heroes of a golden age for Tipperary hurling

The heroes, the players, the characters, the personalities, and supporters of the time were a photographer’s dream.

For different reasons, John had his own favourites among the players of the time that his camera would always be drawn to.

“Nicky was the one that stood out, his facial expressions illustrated all of the emotions, the joys of winning and the heartbreak of defeat. Everybody who was at the matches will remember the special charisma John Leahy had and how it affected the whole stadium. Even when the play was stopped you just had to follow John with the camera, he was always combative, always confrontational. 

The emotion that Cormac Bonnar showed -  the teeth, the face, the helmet the way he carried himself, he was larger than life, a huge personality. He was known as The Viking and that is the way he played,” said John.

Of the present day hurlers, from a photographer's perspective, one player stands out - Padraic Maher.

“A real gladiator. He was a spectacle, an awesome player, and a leader. I loved taking pictures of him on the field,” said John.