Leitrim lose another great Gael
March 09, 2011Tony represented the county and Connacht with distinction during his playing days, playing in two Railway Cup finals in 1954 and '55.
He was also a member of the Leitrim side which played in four Connacht SFC finals in a row between 1957 and 1960, but on each occasion, as in the inter-provincial competition, Tony was to be on the losing side against the great Galway five-in-a-row men.
Tony Hayden would not end his career without some silverware, however, and he captained his native Bornacoola to the Leitrim senior football championship and league double in '57.
Three years previously, he was also victorious on the other side of the county border having helped Craobh Rua to the Sligo senior crown.
Tony's standing within Leitrim GAA circles was evident by his inclusion at left half back on the Leitrim Team of the Millennium.
His death came in the same week as that of former Leitrim footballer Seamus Dillon at the age of just 32.
Seamus, who was left paralysed by an accident in recent years, died peacefully at Sligo General Hospital on Thursday last.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dilis. Tweet
