McCarthy, Tom
April 17, 2013The late Tom McCarthy
1945-2013
There was great sadness and disbelief when the news filtered throughout the community of Abbeydorney and surrounding parishes of the death of Thomas (Tom ) McCarthy, Aulane on Monday, March 18. Tom was born on January 21, 1945 to parents Tom and Ellen and was the eldest of four children.
He is survived by his sister Nell, Ardfert and Nora in the special care of St.Mary of the Angels, Beaufort. Thomas was pre-deceased by his parents, Ellen in 1983, Tom in 2007, his sister Mary in 1991, brother- in-law Gerald in 2001 and brother-in-law Bob in 2011.
He was educated in Kilflynn NS and Tralee Technical College. Having completed his education he started employment in Kellihers Hardware, Rock Street, Tralee where he spent his entire working life.
Tom was a perfectionist. Everything he did in his life was organised and planned to perfection. He was a very dedicated and hard worker. He got great satisfaction and pleasure from everything
he did, especially his job. He loved gardening, the bog, fishing and cycling. Religion was very important to Tom and everywhere he went mass had to be taken in:
The GAA was a major part of his life, both hurling and football. He loved the Munster hurling championship and All-Ireland final. Tom was especially passionate about Kerry Football, club, underage and college.
In his lifetime he witnessed Kerry play in over 30 All-Irelands and winning 19. He never missed a league or championship match during this period.
When the draw for the league matches was made Tom would contact Tony O'Keeffe for the dates and venues. He would plan his days off to suit the matches especially the games up North. Tom had a Supporters
Club of his own long before the Kerry Supporters Club was formed. Himself and his team travelled to every county in Ireland and if any of the regulars could not travel subs would be lined up!
In recent years Tom travelled with the Kerry Supporters Club. He had a County Board scheme ticket purchased for the next five years. The All-Ireland was a special day. Organising the tickets
was a big part of this. He would even book into Wynnes Hotel before the semi-final. On the Sunday morning Tom would get out of bed at about 8am and go and look out the window to see what way the breeze was blowing. His big concern was would the wind affect Mikey Sheehy's free-taking. Mikey was his idol. After breakfast Tom would take his companions to mass in the Pro Cathedral. He would make sure they all had a pound for the plate that morning in case it came against Kerry in the match!
On the eve of the 1985 All-Ireland final in Wynnes a friend asked him was he afraid of Dublin the following day. He replied 'No, he was more afraid of Cork next year in the Munster Final', that was how serious he took his football! One thing for sure, if there is a Croke Park in heaven Tom will have organised some great tickets for Dan Dillane, Jim Sheehy, Vincent Fuller, Tim Galvin, Connie Foley and all the other supporters that are up there.
He will meet Tom Keane from Caherciveen and they will be cheering on Tim Kennelly, John Egan, Paidi 0 Se and all the other great players that have gone. The removal of Tom's remains took place from Sheehy's Funeral Home, Lixnaw on Thursday, March 21 to Abbeydorney Parish Church. Following Requim Mass on Friday, March 22 at 12 noon interment took place in Kyrie Eleison Cemetery, Abbeydorney.
May he rest in peace.
Courtesy of The Kerryman
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