Naughton, Tony
April 01, 2009
The late Tony Naughton
Westport lost one of its most friendly and recognisable faces with the sudden and untimely passing of Tony Naughton.
The 59 year old native of Tuam was a football fanatic and loved nothing better than 'ball-hopping' with passers - by about the state of Mayo football, or playing down Galway's chances for the season ahead.
Speaking in this newspaper four months ago, Tony recalled his fascination with the GAA. "I love sport," he said at the time. "Every young fellow kicked a ball in Tuam when we were growing up. Our mothers would have to call us in at half ten at night and we'd still be kicking a ball of newspaper tied up with string between two stones for goal posts. You could score three goals with one kick because the ball would fall apart. I'd watch any kind of sport, but coming from the town of the terrible twins GAA is my main one."
Tony came to Westport 33 years ago to live with his wife, Ursula on Castlebar Street and moved to The Quay back in 2002. He was a regular caller to The Mayo News office in The Fairgreen for many years and certainly taught this writer a thing or two about straight talking!
"I'd be telling a lie if I didn't say I still support Galway in matches against Mayo, but I would never begrudge Mayo a win," he told this paper. "I shake hands with my friends before and after a game and we never fall out about it. I always have support on my side in the form of Christy Hyland - another great GAA man from Tuam.
"I still go to a lot of matches with Tom Navin and the lads - I always say that Tom Navin is the only man that will bring you home - dead or alive - from a football match - and feel it would be great for the county if Mayo won an All-Ireland.
"I go to a lot of local games too, and one of my best memories is the famous Westport United FAI Cup Final win in Kilkenny. It's lovely to see both GAA and soccer being played in Westport. I see a lot of lads involved in sport and they never get in trouble. I think sport is a great thing for all youngsters to be involved in. It's healthy and they learn to respect people."
That last line summed up Tony Naughton. He lived life with a smile on his face and will be remembered fondly be all those who made his acquaintance. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
- The Mayo News
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