The death took place recently, as the result of a traffic accident, in Melbourne of Tom Kelly formerly of Lismolin. Tom emigrated 'down under' nearly 60 years ago having spent some years in Bermingham. Although in his early 80s Tom was a most active man and in recent years he had been home quite a lot. In his youth Tom was associated with three local parishes. He was born in the parish of Drangan and went to school in Ballydonnell and received his First Communion and Confirmation in Mullinahone. Later he went to live with his uncle in the Killenaule area and this led him to play hurling with Killenaule with whom he won a county junior hurling medal and a number of South Tipp. senior hurling medals. However, it was as an athlete with Coolquill that Tom made his name. When he went to Australia he became a long distance runner and achieved national prominence winning the Korean marathon in 1961. Tom qualified as a PT teacher and became one of the best coaches in Australia looking after national teams even in his later years. Tom married in Australia and is survived by his wife Patricia as well as their family and grandchildren. Although he is gone from Lismolin for almost 60 years Tom never forgot his native place. He is survived in Ireland by his brother Jimsy, Ballydonnell, who is now the sole surviving member of the Kelly family. To him and to the rest of the Kelly family we extend our sympathy. The late Tom Kelly at the present time would make a splendid role model for young Irish emigrants in Australia.

Tipperary Star, 26th September 2013 Tweet

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