Founder member of Eire Og passes away

Tommy (Yank) O'Connor, 15 McGamhna Road, Carlow, who died at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny on Sunday 12 December, aged 77, was a founder member of Eire Og GFC in 1956. A native of St Killian's Crescent, Tommy was one of 11 children of the late Thomas and Ellen O'Connor. His father was a Carlow town native, while his mother, the former Ellen Darcy, hailed from Co Donegal.

After the foundation of Eire Og, Tommy went on to play with the club for a number of years, lining out as a knacky half-forward for the first 'Yls' adult club. He was also first treasurer of Eire Og.

Tommy also played soccer, pitch and putt and golf.
After his school days, Tommy went to work as a projectionist in the Coliseum Cinema in Tullow Street, where he spent a number of years. The remainder of his working life was spent in the licensed trade. He worked as a barman in Reddy's of Tullow Street, and finally for the late Noel Duggan at Duggan's of Dublin Street, where he was pub manager.

Down the years, Tommy gained an extensive knowledge of the bar trade and was considered a first-class barman.
A single man, the name 'Yank' was attributed to Tommy as he was always a very neat dresser. He was also known affectionately as 'Hammers'.

Some 20 years ago, Tommy suffered from cancer and as a consequence became a diabetic. In the early 1990's, his sight began to fail until he was practically blind. Obviously this greatly limited Tommy's ability to be sociable man he had been heretofore. For the remainder of his life, Tommy remained mostly indoors. He was very close to his nephew Kevin Donohue and, whenever he accompanied Kevin downtown over recent years, many friends of Tommy's would seek him out to wish him well.
A keen follower of all forms of sport, Tommy was always up to speed on current affairs, as well as being an avid reader until the failure of his sight. Kevin then introduced him to audio book reading.

A very popular man within his local community, Tommy's passing is deeply regretted. His remains were removed on Monday 13 December from Healy's Funeral home to the church of the holy family, Askea, where they were received by Fr Liam Morgan, CC, Askea-Bennekerry.

Fr Tom Little, PP, celebrated the funeral Mass on Tuesday morning, after which Tommy was laid to rest in the O'Connor family plot at St Mary's cemetery.

A guard of honour was formed by members of Eire Og at both the removal of remains and funeral, with the red and white jersey of the club resting on the coffin.

Tommy is survived by his brother Patrick (Cork), sisters Veronica (15 McGamhna Road), Eileen Donohue (86 Laburnum Drive, Rathnapish, Carlow), Una O'Connor (London) and Brigid O'Connor (Devon). He is also survived by nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, neighbours, relatives and a wide circle of friends.

Courtesy of the Carlow Nationlist 28/12/10 Tweet

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