O'Toole, James
June 28, 2012My Father told me years ago that the biggest funeral he ever saw in Dunmore was that of Frank Fox in 1940. Frank had won an All-Ireland medal with Galway in 1934, and died of a suspected burst appendix at a very young age. The biggest funeral I saw was that of Michael Donnellan T.D. in 1964, again an All-Ireland winner and mastermind of the Corrib Drainage Scheme. These two funerals went to the old church, but without a doubt the largest funeral to the new building was last week when young James O'Toole of Cappagh was laid to rest, with a packed congregation and hundreds waiting outside.
Like Fox and Donnellan, he was also a footballer, only just gone 25 years of age, the highlight of his sporting career was when he captained Dunmore to a county U-21 victory in 2008. So why the huge turnout on a Friday afternoon in Dunmore? The answer is very simple; he was loved by young and old alike, a model for those who played with him and those whom he trained. Most players wait until their sporting careers are over before they take over under-age teams, but not so with James. He was involved with Dunmore at U-16 level and also with the young players in Coleman's College where he taught and had just been made permanent a few short weeks ago.
By nature, James was a shy young man, and as I listened again to his speech as captain in 2008, he kept it brief and to the point. On the Sunday before his death, he contributed hugely to Dunmore's win in the Intermediate Championship, getting two marvelous points and having a hand in several more scores. James also had time for soccer and rugby and all the clubs formed a guard of honour through the town and up to the cemetery, to which his coffin was carried by all those who had been involved in sport with him.
In a moving Mass, Fr. Fergal paid tribute to James, a Mass which was concelebrated with former teachers in St. Coleman's College, Fr. John O'Boyle and Fr Mairtin Newell. Family was very special to James, as was his home in Cappagh and as Fr. Fergal pointed out, James was a role model and an inspiration to those who knew him. Faith, hard work, dedication, committment were the values that James stood for, be it with Dunmore or Claremorris, he was not just the elder brother in his family but the leader of the team whether they were playing in the O'Toole Stadium or the Stade de Martin or Cappagh Park. As Fr. Fergal said "he never wanted to be the star, but the dynamo or inspiration, he set the standard in teamwork, in dedication and unselfishness, helping others and helping the team to be more than the sum of its parts. It was never how great a player he was, but how great we are if we apply ourselves with the same dedication." A fitting tribute to James who will be sadly missed by so many people.
Sincere sympathy to his parents, Sally and Seamus, brothers and sisters Kieran, Stephen, Paula, Sarah and John to his grandmothers Bridie and Kathleen and his beloved girl-friend Annie and all his relations. May he rest in peace.
Courtesy of the Tuam Herald, June 28th, 2012. Tweet
