Tim Garvey

Limerick man who brought a love of gaelic games to Australia

On June 25 in Sydney the passing of Tim Garvey, late of Ballinagoola, took place at the age of 91.

Tim came from a family steeped in hurling lore and they supported many local causes. Their better known act was the presentation of a silver cup to Hospital Muintir na Tire which attracted a huge attendance to the final in hospital, involving Hospital and Knockainey. This match was played in 1957 with the spoils going to Knockainey. The cup is now a prized possession in the parish of Knockainey.
Tim Garvey left his native place some 60 odd years ago and settled in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

His love of gaelic games went with him to the southern hemisphere and in his new environment he soon learned that the games he loved were played in the province back as far as 1884. But wars and politics were not good to the games and they took a back seat until the arrival of Tim Garvey in Sydney. A club was formed under the title of St.Marys and with other men and women forming clubs in other parts. It was not long until the new South Wales team won the Australian competition.

Tim was on the team which won in 1951 and this team were honoured in 2001 the 50th anniversary of the win. For the record the team was - Tom McMahon, Ted Holden, Eugene O' Sullivan, C. Dinan, Mick O'Loughlin, Charley Doyle, Pat Grealish, John Doyle, Tim Garvey, Joe Murphy, Sean Dooley, John Wolfe, Bill Doheny, Humphrey O' Donovan, Kevin Doyle, Cathal Whyte, Frank Cowhey and Jim Brennan. Their win was at Moore Park, Sydney and part of a Gaelic festival. Victoria were the favourites to win both the hurling and football competitions but the Sydney combination claimed the hurling. The popularity of the team can be gauged from the fact 15,000 people including Archbishop Mannix watched them play the Victorians at the St.Kilda Cricket grounds a year later.
The original committee in 1950 of the N.S.W
GAA was Leo Gallaher, Sydney; Tony Philbin, Mayo, Peter Mc Kenna, Louth; M.Lenehan, Cork; P. O' Malley, Clare; J.Murhy Kilkenny; Humphrey O' Donovan, Cork, Finola Markham, Sydney and Tim Garvey, Limerick.
Tim had a wonderful relationship with gaelic games and on his numerous visits home he saw his native Limerick play many a rousing tussle. His last time in Ireland was in 2009 and he still was as keenly interested as ever in the fortunes of his county.
His interest in the games included putting into words the story the GAA in Australia and the game in general. Today his daughter Maureen and son Tim, are planning to publish his material.
Tim Garvey; died June 25, 2010

Courtesy Limerick Leader
7th August, 2010 Tweet

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