Jack Rochford Gaelic games player

John "Jack" Rochford (24 April 1882 – 17 October 1953) was an Irish hurler who played as a full-back for the Kilkenny senior.Born in Threecastles, County Kilkenny, Rochford first excelled at hurling and cricket in his youth. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty when he first linked up with the Kilkenny senior team. He made his senior debut during the 1902 championship. Rochford immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen, and won seven All-Ireland medals and nine Leinster medals.As a member of the Leinster inter-provincial team on a umber of occasions, Rochford won three Railway Shield medals. At club level he was a two-time championship medallist with Threecastles and Tullaroan. He also played with Erin's Own.Throughout his career Rochford made 41 championship appearances. He retired from inter-county hurling during the 1916 championship.In retirement from playing Rochford became involved in coaching. He was co-trainer of the Kilkenny team that won the All-Ireland title in 1922, a role he also played with the 1931 Leinster title-winning side.Rochford is widely regarded as one of Kilkenny's all-time greatest players and as one of the greatest full-backs of all-time.