A very sad week for the Ballinlough club with the passing of two great servants, Toss Gibney and Tom Ryan.

Toss wore the Meath jersey at all levels, on the victorious minor side of 1957, who hammered Armagh at Croke Park and with the All -reland winning junior combination of 1962. He had claimed a regular place on the Meath senior XV before emigrating in those bleak, employment wise, early sixties.

He was centre half back on that junior winning side. Cavan were beaten in the Home Final before a huge crowd in Drogheda while London were pipped in the final proper. Multi talented Toss Gibney could line out in any position, be it at number two right up to the left full forward spot.

Meath All Ireland JFC winners 1962. Front l-r: Mick White, Ollie Kealy, Sean McCormack, Peter Price, Jimmy Walsh, Padraig McCormack, Tom Monaghan, Paddy Christie, Bill Eiffe, Jack Kane. Back l-r: Gerry Quinn, Peter Black, Jim Ryan, Toss Gibney, Tom Muldoon, Tom Mongey, Jack Quinn, Paddy Hanley, Michael Clarke, Cormac Ward.

Ironically just behind Toss and wearing the number three jersey for the London game was Tom Ryan's brother, Jim, who had already played senior for Meath and was good enough to represent Leinster in the Railway Cup.

Tom Ryan was a huge character around the Ballinlough area and always had a great rousing story or two to tell. Like all his brothers he donned the club jersey with pride. The fact that he had to wear glasses did not deter Tom . No such things as contact lenses in those days. He had a deep sense of loyalty to club, community and his beloved IFA.

Tom's eldest son Dermot played for Ballinlough while younger son Vincent won an All-Ireland minor medal in 1990 and an under 21 trophy three years later. He was involved with the Meath senior squad during the mid 1990's, winning an O'Byrne Cup souvenir during this spell.

Vinny played at adult level for Ballinlough over the best part of two decades, has managed a number of clubs in the county and was a Meath minor selector during 2019. His son and Tom's grandson, Harry, was part of this Meath minor selection. 

The late Tom Ryan was delighted when his grandson's Harry and Stan helped Ballinlough win the Minor Summer League last year.

The year 1962 was an eventful period for both the Ryan and Gibney households. We already touched on that junior final but there was more to come. Ballinlough made it to the Meath senior football decider and facing them was another team in red, Trim.

The townsmen had now one Jim Ryan in their ranks. Roads and cars were not as efficient in those days and Jim, working in the Trim area sought a transfer earlier in the year. To add further spice to the story, Jim Ryan's brother, Bob Ryan, was Ballinlough club chairman.

Jim had his usual solid game while Toss Gibney was Ballinlough's best player and top scorer on a day when Trim scooped their one and only senior crown.

Toss and Tom are now up there on the great playing pitch in the sky, chasing after that heavy, brown, laced, size five. As the older folk will tell you, '' Tom would go through you for a ball '' while Toss '' was a dab hand with the frees and is probably still practising, seeking football perfection.' ' We know that God is looking after both of them.

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