McCormack, Tom
March 17, 2007
The late Tom McCormack
Among the many great personalities across the spectrum of sporting endeavour that the Friary town of Fethard has produced over the last one hundred years, the late Tom McCormack will rank high. His death came unexpectedly despite not enjoying robust health over the last two years. In a career that brought him to prominence at a youthful age in Gaelic games; Tom was an outstanding goalkeeper on the Tipperary All Ireland Minor furling winning team of 1953 that included Ray Reidy, Liam Devaney, Liam Connolly and Sean McLoughlin who graduated to senior All Ireland hurling fame.
Tom McCormack went on to give many years of service as an excellent goalkeeper for county and club. One of his finest displays was in the county senior hurling semi final for Na Piarsigh against Nenagh in 1957 after which he was rated the best goalkeeper in the county. Tom McCormack was a muti talented person, as able pen wielder he had a good literary and poetic flare, and has left for prosperity some poetic gems, as an organiser and promoter of major athletic events in Fethard during the late 1970s he brought international athletics and big crowds to South Tipperary, with spectacular success. As a sportsman Tom exuded that pride, love and honour for his local place, as depicted by Kickham through his character Matt the Thresher in his novel Knocknagow.
Over several decades Tom McCormack was an active participant and administrator in GAA and NACAI activities, all who knew him and worked with him and worked with him in these activities remember him as the man who always delivered on everything he undertook. During the heady days of athletic disputes Tom was an ardent supporter of the NACAI and 32 county all Ireland sport. He never deviated from that principal. He was a man with a deep feel for Irish culture history and heritage and a member of the Irish Bardic Federation. Tom was proud of his family roots in the region round Dualla Ballinure, Moyglass and Fethard roots deep in Irish nationalism the spirit of freedom and culture.
His death has taken from South Tipperary one who kept the Christian and Fenian faiths and the spirit of Knocknagow on top of his daily agenda. Those who shared with him in some of his many activities and gathered in inclement weather conditions to bid farewell as he was conveyed through his home town of Fethard to his last resting place knew that they were parting with a true Gael, a man of ability and talent who was always available to play his part for an Irish Ireland that reached out to all. The homes of Tipperary are the poorer with his passing the lighted candle of his life is now extinguished but his immortal soul from heaven will never be too far away from his family and friends.
To his widow Kathleen his daughters and extended family deepest sympathy on his passing. May his soul enjoy the bliss of heaven among his fellow Gaels and his mortal remains rest in perfect peace while waiting judgement day.
Courtesy of the Tipperary Star
17 March 2007
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