Lynch, Tom
February 04, 2011Mohill GAA Club bade farewell last weekend to a great GAA stalwart following the passing away on Friday last of Club President Tom Lynch . A native of Dingle, Co. Kerry, Tom arrived in Leitrim sometime in the late 1960s to work for the Department of Agriculture and threw in his lot with Mohill on the field of play for a while but it was off the playing field that the proud Kerryman would have his greatest impact on club affairs and leave a lasting impression.
During the 80s and 90s Tom acted as the Club's Bord na nOg Secretary and Chairman and was a team trainer manager at all underage levels enjoying much success in the U-12 and U-14 grades during the 90s. Many of the talented young players from the era such as Shane Canning and the McGuinness brothers went on to form the backbone of out 2006 Senior championship winning side. Tom was also a selector at Senior, Junior and under 21 levels and indeed may have managed the Juniors at one stage.
Tom was also the Club's Irish Office for many years and very active in Scor writing sketches for our novelty acts and competing himself in Question Time. In more recent times Tom served as a Club President and his wife Maureen herself a great Club stalwart for many years. Tom's children have also served the club well over the years. Katherine who has shot to fame in recent years represented us in Scor na nOg as part of our novelty act some years back, Michael a prolific marksman turned goalkeeper played adult football for the club for over 20 years, John featured at underage level before going abroad while the one and only Mary provided light entertainment on the side line in her younger days alongside her beloved dad. Tom, brother Sean and his family also been very prominent on th Leitrim GAA scene over the years while he is also a close relative of the famous O'Shea in his native kingdom.
Away from the GAA scene Tom wrote may short stories for the Leitrim Guardian of the years and was a man of great intellect who could talk on any subject. On a personal level having soldiered with the great man on the sideline as part of the "Tom and Gerry" show, being a fellow selector at adult level, having gone to countless County Bord na nOg meetings and conventions together, being on a Question Tim Teams alongside him, having socialised with him. What I remember most is his wonderful sense of humour and his razor sharp wit. Indeed I will always cherish the banter with him. Manys the evening beside the range in his Castlegarden home. To his wife Maureen, sons John and Michael, daughters Katherine and Mary and all other family members we extend our deepest sympathy.
Courtesy of the Leitrim Observer
4th February 2011 Tweet
