Sorry to report the the passing of Joey Tormey.
Donaghmore Ashbourne paid tribute to the former Meath and Dublin footballer and club stalwart on their social media pages.
There is a belief that when two people are so close and have spent their lives together for such a long time that when one passes away the other one can’t survive without them. There is an emptiness and such a pain that the remaining member often passes away shortly after. When this happens it really shows the love they had for each other. Less than three months ago we had the sad news that Terry Tormey passed away and anyone who was at the wake or funeral could see that Joey was a lost and broken man when his long-time friend and love had departed this life. Despite having a great family around him to give him comfort and support he was empty and numb.
It is with great sadness that within such a short period the Tormey Family and our club, Donaghmore Ashbourne have yet again had death’s door calling with Joey Tormey passing away after a very short illness. If the family can have any light of solace, they know that their mum and dad are back together.
As mentioned above Joey is predeceased by his wife Terry who passed away at the end of March, his son Christopher, daughter in law Kathleen and sister Eithne. He is survived by sons Alan, Declan and Conor, daughters Caroline, Teresa and Kathleen, daughters-in-law Eithne, Mary and Imelda, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews together with grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family and friends.
What can you say about Joey? He was a character, a GAA man, and highly respected by those who knew him. He was a great servant to our club and served as Chairman on three separate occasions including 1970 to 1976, 1978 and 1980 to 1981. He was known for his drive and enthusiasm and was the main driver when we moved from Greenogue to the Wotton which was a major undertaking at its time.
Joey started his footballing career with Garristown and in the spring of 1958, he played with the Dublin senior football team. In 1959 he joined Donaghmore GAA club and was on the victorious Intermediate championship winning team that year. In 1960 he was called up to join Meath senior football team and joined a very elite group of players to have played for both the Dubs and the Royals. Once he joined the Green and Gold he never looked back and was a loyal follower of the Royals to the end. Both Joey and Terry made the prestigious “A Season of Sundays” a couple of years back as they were photographed having the tea at a Meath away game. Joey was also a Meath selector from 1977 to 1979.
As well as playing and being Chairman of Donaghmore Joey coached and managed several teams in his day. Many of our older members will recall being ferried around in the cream-coloured Volkswagen Beetle with maybe 8 or so lads in the car at the one time. Rumour has it that Joey might not always have been a strict follower of the official paperwork when it came to team selection. He was part of the management team for our Junior Team who recorded Meath Championship success in 1971. Joey also served the club as a referee and played football with the club well into the 1970s.
In recent years both he and Terry went to all club games, and it would be fair to say that he wasn’t a fan of the hand passing game. You might not see Joey at a game, but you always knew he was there when you could hear the shout “Will you kick the ball in”. On Sunday evenings he would hold court in the house and review the performance of the team.
In the 1980s there used to be a couple of tournaments played in Garristown and Ballymadun. With several Tormey families involved on different sides these games were interesting to say the least. Joey was always up for these games but like any good family what happened on the pitch (and the sideline) was left there until the next tournament. No need for any CCCC to be involved here.
Joey was full of devilment and when Terry and Aily would be at the house he’d often comment on the GAA and there should be no women involved and this would be accompanied with the quiet wink and a smile as he knew he’d get a reaction. He had a great sense of humour and was quick with his comments and retorts.
Outside of the GAA Joey was known the length and breadth of the country particularly within the farming community as he sold and repaired many tractors and farm machinery nationwide.
He was a courteous and pleasant man and on a one to one he was very interesting to talk to and made people feel at home.
As a club, a family, and a community we extend our condolences to Alan, Declan, Caroline, Conor, Teresa and Kathleen and to all of Joey’s family and close friends. We know this is a tough time for them all but hopefully knowing their mum and dad are back together again they will get some comfort at this sad time.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a-anam.
Funeral Details
Reposing at his home from Wednesday evening and all day Thursday. Removal on Friday morning to the Church of The Immaculate Conception, Ashbourne arriving for Funeral Mass at 11.30 am. Burial afterwards in Greenogue Cemetery.
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