The Late Tommy Purser Tommy Purser who passed away on January 12 at the age of 66 was a very popular character in the Hacketstown area who will be sadly missed by all who were privileged to known him. Tom had a lifelong association with Clonmore GFC, having been an outstanding player for over twenty years and latterly an Honourary President of the club. After a long and distinguished playing career, Tom is remembered with great respect by friend and foe alike, as one of nature's gentlemen off the field and as a great hearted player who was uncompromising and fearless on it. Tom always had a cheery word and a ready smile and was popular with young and old, although his opinions on modern day footballers were often of the caustic variety, The huge number of people who attended his funeral was an indication of the high regard with which he was held in the community. Tom first played senior football as a teenager around 1960 when Clonmore were still one of the kingpins of Carlow football. After the 1963 and 65 County Senior Finals, both of which were lost unfortunately, Tom's career coincided with Clonmore's lean years so medals were few and far between. However that did not deter him from giving his all, year in year out, and he captained the Clonmore team on many occasions. His ability was also recognised at county level and he played for Carlow at every grade including senior. Having proudly worn the red and green jersey for over 20 years, the number 7 shirt which draped his coffin was a poignant reminder of Tom's many fine performances at left half back for club and county. Tom received a richly deserved Hall of Fame Award in 1998 and his lifetime of service to Clonmore was acknowledged when he was made an Honourary President of the club in 2000. He was an outstanding handballer and captained Hacketstown to win the Carlow Junior Team of Six Handball Championship in 1980. Tom's wife Lily (sister of former players Des & Tony Kelly) has, for the last thirty years, been looking after the jerseys for all of Clonmore's teams from adults to juveniles, a very important job which is always done to perfection and with great good humour. To Lily, daughters Anne and Kelly, sister Bridie and all of Tom's family and friends, Clonmore GFC extends its sincere sympathies on the loss of this great Gael. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam. Courtesy of the Carlow Nationalist 25th January 2008 Tweet

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