Tommy Cooke R.I.P.
Thomas "Tommy" Cooke (born 1915) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a right wing-back for the Limerick senior team. Cooke made his first appearance for the team during the 1937 championship and was a regular member of the starting fifteen until his retirement a decade later. During that time he won one All-Ireland medal, one Munster medal and one National Hurling League medal. At club level Cooke played both hurling and Gaelic football with the Knockainey club. Following the death of Martin White in 2011, Cooke became the oldest surviving winner of an All-Ireland medal.

Cooke was instrumental in the foundation of the Knockainey club. He was appointed as the club's first treasurer in 1936. Five years later in 1941 Cooke was captain of the team when Knockainey won the south junior hurling championship. It was the first silverware for the new club.

Inter-county
Cooke first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a dual player in the junior grades in 1939. With the Limerick junior hurling team Cooke's side were defeated by Waterford on a score line of 4-02 to 2-04. An objection that was later upheld resulted in Limerick eventually being awarded the title and Cooke collecting a Munster medal. That same year he won a Munster medal in football as Limerick defeated Kerry by 1-07 to 1-02. Both Limerick teams were subsequently beaten in the All-Ireland semi-final stages. By 1940 Cooke had joined the Limerick senior hurling team and lined out in his first provincial decider in the top grade. Cokr, the reigning champions, provided the opposition, however, the match ended in a draw. The replay was also a close affair, however, a 3-03 to 2-04 score line gave Limerick the win and gave Cooke a coveted Munster medal. A subsequent defeat of Galway set up an All-Ireland showdown with Kilkenny. 50,0000 spectators traveled to Croke Park to witness the last great game between the two most outstanding teams of the decade. Early in the second-half Kilkenny took a four-point lead, however, once Mick Mackey was deployed at midfield he proceeded to dominate the game. Limerick hung on to win the game on a score line of 3-07 to 1-07 and Cooke collected a coveted All-Ireland medal.

Cooke continued with Limerick for another few seasons, however, Cork went on to dominate the championship for the rest of the forties.

Funeral arrangements are as follows
Thomas F 'Tommy' Cooke
Knockainey, Co Limerick and St Michael's Nursing Home, Caherconlish, Co. Limerick, who died in his 100th year
Survived by son John, daughters Catherine O'Brien and Anne, daughter-in-law Mary, son-in-law Gerard, grandchildren Francis, Colin, Eoin, Anne, Eimear, Catherine and Tom, great grandchildren Maeve, Ruth, Rachel, Orla, Tommy, Hannah, Nessa, Tim and Ruairi, nephews, nieces, relatives and devoted neighbours. Husband of the late Nan, father-in-law of the late John O'Brien.
Reposing at Davern's Funeral Home, Hospital - Friday from 4.30pm
Removal from Davern's Funeral Home, Hospital - Friday at 6.30pm
Requiem Mass at St Mary's Church, Knockainey - Saturday at 12.00pm
Burial afterwards in the Hill Cemetery
Contact: Davern's on 061 383144 Tweet

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