Walsh, Tommy
November 09, 2010It was with deep sadness and regret that Crossmaglen Rangers GAC learned of the death of our friend, confidant and mentor Tommy Walsh, who passed away on 29th October 2010.
Tommy was a past Chairman of the British Association of Cumann Luthcleas Gael and represented Britain at Central Council level.
More importantly for Crossmaglen Rangers, Tommy was a member of the Croke Park Crossmaglen Committee which was formed following an unprecedented motion at the 1980 congress, in response to the ongoing encroachment and occupation of St Oliver Plunkett Park in Crossmaglen, by the British Army. Other members of the committee were Con Murphy of Cork, Gene Larkin, Crossmaglen Rangers, Donal O'Faolain (Trustee GAA) from Sligo and Peter Harte (President Ulster Council) from Tyrone.
The terms of reference of the Committee as outlined in the motion passed at congress were as follows:
A guarantee from the British Government that no further destruction of GAA property would take place in the future and that intimidation and obstruction of GAA officials, players and supporters would cease immediately.
Satisfactory compensation be obtained from the British Government for all destruction and occupation of the GAA property in Crossmaglen.
Tommy Walsh played a very important role within the committee. He was responsible for contacting British Government Ministers and Mps to brief them on the Crossmaglen Situation and to contact Irish communities and GAA clubs in Britain to advise them of the ongoing problems and co-ordinate their involvement in a campaign to brief and seek the support of their local MP's. This he did with great enthusiasm and vigour.
On 26th June 1980, as a result of the efforts of Tommy Walsh, a deputation from the Crossmaglen Croke Park Committee met a number of Labour Mps, led by the late Bob Parry (who was to become a good friend and supporter of our cause), in the British House of Commons. This was a very fruitful meeting. It was agreed to have members of all political parties in Britain and arrangements were made fro Tommy Walsh to make contact with them. It was also decided that Tommy Walsh and the Mps present would arrange for an urgent meeting with Mr Humphrey Atkins, the then Secretary of State. Despite the very best efforts of all concerned, Mr Atkins was never available to meet a deputation.
As a result of the efforts of Tommy Walsh, Meetings continued to take place between representatives of the Crossmaglen Croke Park Committee and British Mps which helped to raise awareness in Britain of the problems being experienced by Crossmaglen Rangers at the hands of the British Army and helped to heighten the campaign for the return to the club of their playing facilities and the payment of adequate compensation for the wanton damage and destruction that was done to our property.
During this period, Tommy visited St Oliver Plunkett Park in Crossmaglen on a number of occasions. His visits and words of encouragement boosted the morale of our Club management and members, to continue our campaign for natural justice.
It is a very difficult task to fully portray Tommy Walsh's commitment and contribution to the eventual return of St. Oliver Plunkett Park to Crossmaglen Rangers. However, it was with great delight that Tommy learned that on 9th July 1999, the last de-requisition orders were signed, returning all the parcels of ground belonging to Crossmaglen Rangers, some 25 years after the first vesting order was issued. This was the culmination of a long, hard fought campaign, fought with honesty and integrity and we were so fortunate to have so many capable and able people fighting our corner, particularly Tommy Walsh of Liverpool.
Throughout his involvement with the crossable Croke Park Committee over two decades Tommy Walsh was a sincere and trusted friend. He was an extraordinary man of principle and integrity. It is impossible to fully convey the magnitude of his tireless effort and commitment to our cause.
On a personal level, it was indeed an honour to have such a man as a friend and to be regarded by him as friend.
While Tommy Walsh was very proud of his native Liverpool and spoke with a beautiful Liverpool accent, the blood that ran through his veins was a true as any Irishman's. He was indeed a fior mhac na ngael, a true son of the Gael.
I have no doubt that Tommy is now recalling stories of the past with his great comrades from the Crossmaglen Croke Park Committee, who have also gone to their eternal reward, Con Murphy of Cork, Gene Larkin of Crossmaglen, Donal Whelan of Waterford, Peter Harte of Tyrone. I have no doubt that when great Irish men are spoken of, Tommy Walsh, as a proud man from Liverpool, can take his place among them as an honourary one. Ni beheidh a leitheid ann aris.
E O hAodha
Courtesy of the Armagh Examiner 9/11/10 Tweet
