Kirwan, Tommy
May 05, 2005
The Late Tommy Kirwan
The GAA world was plunged into shock and sadness at the news of the sudden death of Tommy Kirwan spread throughout the county.
A man of many parts on the Gaelic games scene, he passed away suddenly at his home in The Ballagh tot he immense grief of his wife, Breda and family members.
Tommy, who was in his late fifties, played with the Oulart-The Ballagh club in his younger days, but it was in other areas of the GAA that he really made his mark.
He was well-known all over Wexford and further afield as a referee, administrator and selector, having given distinguished service to the county in all of these capacities for many years.
One of his proudest moments had arrived in 1979 when he was a selector on the Under 21 hurling team managed by Tony Dempsey which claimed the Leinster championship crown with a 1-8 to 0-10 replay win over Kilkenny.
Tommy went on to serve on a number of inter-county backroom teams and was a mentor with the Wexford Intermediate hurlers when they completed a provincial championship double in 2001 and 2002.
While he was struck down by ill health in recent years, it didn't deter him from playing an active role in the affairs of the association.
Indeed, he readily accepted an invitation from his long-time friend, Willie Carley, earlier this year to serve as a selector on the county Senior camogie team, and he had been enjoying this new role. One of his last G.A.A. related activities was to attend a training session in preparation for the team's National League semi-final against Cork.
Tommy turned his hand to refereeing in the 1980s and was an instant success in this most demanding of roles. He had the distinction of taking charge of three county Senior hurling championship finals in 1990 and 1993 (draw and replay) - a figure which would have been higher but for the involvement of his own club in several deciders.
He also handled four Intermediate finals in 1989, 1992, 1994 and 1997, plus the Junior blue riband tie in 1988. Tommy was a member of the inter-county refereeing panel for a short while before withdrawing of his own accord, officiating at Under 21, Minor and Junior games within the province.
Even when his own refereeing career came to an end, he continued to do all in his power to promote the activities of the men in black. He was the long-standing Chairman of the County Referees' Association, working hand in hand with Seamus Whelan and John Rossiter to ensure that the needs of their members were well looked after.
he had replaced Peadar Lacey as Chairman of the Enniscorthy District committee in 2002, having served his apprenticeship for the hot-seat as Vice-Chairman and P.R.O.
One of his functions in this role was to serve on the County Disciplinary committee, while he was a regular contributor to the debates at Board level.
Tommy was also a qualified masseur and first-aider, and this gave him another close link with many teams at club and inter-county level.
The esteem in which the deceased was held within the GAA community was reflected in the large turn-outs at the removal of his remains and funeral.
He was afforded guards of honour by the Wexford Senior camogie team, the County Referees' Association and members of the Oulart The Ballagh club, while a minute's silence was observed in his memory before Allainz Football League final in Croke Park.
The deepest sympathy of all G.A.A. members is extended to his wife, Breda and family. Ar dheis De fo raibh a anim.
Courtesy of the Wexford People
5th May 2005
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