Healy, Tom
September 14, 2010A perfect gentlemen and the nicest man you could ever meet are just a few of the sentiments that I have heard about the late Tom Healy, chairman of Abbeydorney GAA Club, who passed away last week.
When I first got involved in Scór as a participant way back in the 1990's, I quickly became friendly with this wonderful man. And like so many others that had the privilege of knowing him our friendship grew more and more as the years passed.
Certainly those comments, as relayed by so many in the past few days, have told the true story of a wonderful man.
Tom first got involved in Scór with his native club Abbeydorney back in the late 1980s and through his dedicated hard work quickly advanced to the committee of Coiste Scór Chiarraí.
Unfortunately, space will not permit me to document his outstanding and impeccable contribution in his involvement with his beloved club, Abbeydorney.
However, having competed as a contestant and advancing as an administrations down through a long and distinguished career, it is with fondness that we look back and remember the various important positions that Tom held in the promotion of Scór.
And not alone that but we must never overlook the fact of the wonderful legacy that he has left us with.
We must endeavour to maintain this as a testament to his will, dedication and sheer hard work all for the betterment of Scór in this county.
Tom served as treasurer of Coiste Scór Chiarraí and had earlier served as treasurer of Coiste Scór na Mumhan.
Of course, he was bestowed a great honour back in 2006 when he was elected to chairman of Coiste Scór na Mumhan for a three-year period which ended last year.
This occasion also marked the 40th anniversary of Scór of which he played a very instrumental part in the organising of a special function which was held at the Malton Hotel, Killarney on August 15, 2009.
This also coinsided with the 125th anniversary of the GAA; an organisation that he was very extremely proud of.
Another great honour for Tom was when, as being Maister na gCest, he officiated at the All-Ireland senior Scór finals in the INEC, Killarney.
On the district board front in North Kerry, the great man himself will be missed because he worked endlessly for the betterment of the club, district, county and province.
He held many positions in the North Kerry Hurling Board District and was a very able chairman who ran a marvellous board which had great success.
In the area of Scór he always made himself available for the Trath Na gCest part of the programme, whether it be at county or Munster final level or whether it be the district board finals in Dromid community or Asdee. It made no difference, travelling was never a problem to Tom.
Certainly as far as we are concerned he excelled at Scór. His organising skills were second to none, making sure that everything ran smoothly on the night.
He was always the first person to arrive at a venue and always last to leave. Tom gave so much time to everybody else and never looked for anything in return.
He did it for the love of the organisation and the promotion of the aims of the association. The dedication and ability of the man will be a very hard act to follow, a man who was highly respected throughout the province and beyond.
The gentleman from the townland of Killahan in the parish of Abbeydorney will be sadly missed by everybody that knew him but he was left a lasting legacy that will last with us forever.
So on behalf of Coiste Scór Chairraí we would like to offer our sincerest sympathy to the wife and family of the late Tom Healy. May the sod rest lightly on the gentle soul of this great Gael. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-Anam dílis.
Jack Hennessy
is the PRO of Coiste Scór Chairraí.
Courtesy of the
14th September 2010 Tweet
