Death of Tom Long.

[taibhse]

 The death has been announced of Tom Long,  Ventry & Killarney.   Without question, one of the all-time greats of Gaelic Football.   Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam deilis.

[glengael]

Just saw that now. Another legend of Kerry football gone. May he rest in peace.

[mafi97]

Only seeing this now.

Without doubt, one of the all time greats.

There used to be a joke that Tom Long had no fingers left - they had all been burned off pulling games out of the fire for Kerry.

I remember a club game when an older Tom was being marked by an "enthusiastic" young full back. Having been clobbered about three times by the young full back in the first 15 minutes, Tom went out to the ref and counselled him to start refereeing the match properly - "for the young lad's sake".

He leaves us with so many memories. A true giant. RIP.

[veteran]

I departed from this Forum some time ago because a post of mine was deleted for frivolous reasons. At that time, I said I would return only if the post was restored. I feel obliged to breach that promise, for one night only as the expression goes, to pay tribute to the late Tom Long.

Tom was a Ventry man, playing with them and West Kerry and later with Dr. Crokes, while teaching in the Killarney area. From memory, he won senior medals in 1959 and 1962 and NFL medals in 1959 and 1963. He won a county championship medal with Dr. Crokes and a Dublin county championship medal with Erins Hope, while training to be a teacher in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra.

He started his Kerry senior career circa 1956 and, sensationally, retired after the 1964 final. I say sensationally because he was only about twenty six/seven, at a time when most footballers are at their peak. His early retirement caused consternation and I am not sure if he outlined his reasons then or in subsequent years. He would have been a contemporary of Mick O'Connell and Mick O'Dwyer and both of those boys won further medals in 1969 and 1970.

Tom Long would have been an inch or two short of six feet and weighed about fourteen stone. That compact frame consisted of muscle and bone, without an ounce of flab. It was a physical build which he utilised fearlessly. He used it fairly but if the opponent took liberties he was capable of using nastily. A man of granite with the movement and guile of a black panther. Allied to that he was endowed with hands of glue and power in both lower limbs which enabled him to unleash cannons, being a prolific goal scorer

Nostalgia? Hyperbole? Bombast? Ask your father, your grandfather. Ask the old man who lives down the lane. Ask them how good Tom was at CHB. Ask them how good Tom was at midfield. Ask them how good Tom was at CHF. Ask them how good Tom was at FF. Yes, he expertly and effortlessly filled all those roles as the occasion demanded.

Ah Tom, you were a footballer.

It is said that a person only truly dies when nobody remembers him. It is a sobering thought to think that sometime you will have exhausted the memory of everybody on earth. It is as if a person never existed. However, as long as Kerry football is discussed, as long as Kerry footballers are discussed it is certain that the name of Tom Long will be repeatedly mentioned. That is likely to be to the end of time. An immortal Kerry footballer indeed.

Rest in eternal peace, Tom.

[Ballyfireside]

Feb 14, 2023 14:16:35 GMT veteran said:

I departed from this Forum some time ago because a post of mine was deleted for frivolous reasons. At that time, I said I would return only if the post was restored. I feel obliged to breach that promise, for one night only as the expression goes, to pay tribute to the late Tom Long.

Tom was a Ventry man, playing with them and West Kerry and later with Dr. Crokes, while teaching in the Killarney area. From memory, he won senior medals in 1959 and 1962 and NFL medals in 1959 and 1963. He won a county championship medal with Dr. Crokes and a Dublin county championship medal with Erins Hope, while training to be a teacher in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra.

He started his Kerry senior career circa 1956 and, sensationally, retired after the 1964 final. I say sensationally because he was only about twenty six/seven, at a time when most footballers are at their peak. His early retirement caused consternation and I am not sure if he outlined his reasons then or in subsequent years. He would have been a contemporary of Mick O'Connell and Mick O'Dwyer and both of those boys won further medals in 1969 and 1970.

Tom Long would have been an inch or two short of six feet and weighed about fourteen stone. That compact frame consisted of muscle and bone, without an ounce of flab. It was a physical build which he utilised fearlessly. He used it fairly but if the opponent took liberties he was capable of using nastily. A man of granite with the movement and guile of a black panther. Allied to that he was endowed with hands of glue and power in both lower limbs which enabled him to unleash cannons, being a prolific goal scorer

Nostalgia? Hyperbole? Bombast? Ask your father, your grandfather. Ask the old man who lives down the lane. Ask them how good Tom was at CHB. Ask them how good Tom was at midfield. Ask them how good Tom was at CHF. Ask them how good Tom was at FF. Yes, he expertly and effortlessly filled all those roles as the occasion demanded.

Ah Tom, you were a footballer.

It is said that a person only truly dies when nobody remembers him. It is a sobering thought to think that sometime you will have exhausted the memory of everybody on earth. It is as if a person never existed. However, as long as Kerry football is discussed, as long as Kerry footballers are discussed it is certain that the name of Tom Long will be repeatedly mentioned. That is likely to be to the end of time. An immortal Kerry footballer indeed.

Rest in eternal peace, Tom.

Welcome back, welcome home, ah you didn't depart, took sabbatical!

Long was, strangely enough, or not, much spoken of and highly in Donegal. I recall Brian McEniff once saying Tom was his man in Kerry, through a Gaeltacht vein or whatever?

From your profile of him, would there be any resemblance with say Michael Murphy or is just incidental that they both mastered that same coirridor?

Ballyfireside Quote of the day - We might be stuck with you Vet, but you're stuck with us too, whether we like it or not - and thank God for small misfortunes!

BTW I have a confession to make, I won a wee wager here - I gave you 'til Paddys day!

[royalkerryfan]

Feb 14, 2023 14:16:35 GMT veteran said:

I departed from this Forum some time ago because a post of mine was deleted for frivolous reasons. At that time, I said I would return only if the post was restored. I feel obliged to breach that promise, for one night only as the expression goes, to pay tribute to the late Tom Long.

Tom was a Ventry man, playing with them and West Kerry and later with Dr. Crokes, while teaching in the Killarney area. From memory, he won senior medals in 1959 and 1962 and NFL medals in 1959 and 1963. He won a county championship medal with Dr. Crokes and a Dublin county championship medal with Erins Hope, while training to be a teacher in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra.

He started his Kerry senior career circa 1956 and, sensationally, retired after the 1964 final. I say sensationally because he was only about twenty six/seven, at a time when most footballers are at their peak. His early retirement caused consternation and I am not sure if he outlined his reasons then or in subsequent years. He would have been a contemporary of Mick O'Connell and Mick O'Dwyer and both of those boys won further medals in 1969 and 1970.

Tom Long would have been an inch or two short of six feet and weighed about fourteen stone. That compact frame consisted of muscle and bone, without an ounce of flab. It was a physical build which he utilised fearlessly. He used it fairly but if the opponent took liberties he was capable of using nastily. A man of granite with the movement and guile of a black panther. Allied to that he was endowed with hands of glue and power in both lower limbs which enabled him to unleash cannons, being a prolific goal scorer

Nostalgia? Hyperbole? Bombast? Ask your father, your grandfather. Ask the old man who lives down the lane. Ask them how good Tom was at CHB. Ask them how good Tom was at midfield. Ask them how good Tom was at CHF. Ask them how good Tom was at FF. Yes, he expertly and effortlessly filled all those roles as the occasion demanded.

Ah Tom, you were a footballer.

It is said that a person only truly dies when nobody remembers him. It is a sobering thought to think that sometime you will have exhausted the memory of everybody on earth. It is as if a person never existed. However, as long as Kerry football is discussed, as long as Kerry footballers are discussed it is certain that the name of Tom Long will be repeatedly mentioned. That is likely to be to the end of time. An immortal Kerry footballer indeed.

Rest in eternal peace, Tom.

Welcome Back Vet,

Whatever your reasons for leaving is entirely up to you however its a poorer place without you.

[damarys]

Veteran,the forum is less without you.I,m at faro airport andI hope you return here.Your knowledge is outsdanding ,thank you.

[damarys]

Here as in the forum

[piggott]

Great to hear from you again Vet. Tom Long was a great player, no matter what part of the field he played in. Dont think he won a County Championship with Dr Crokes, but won two with East Kerry, 1965 when they beat Mid Kerry after a replay, and 1968 when he scored 4 goals against Waterville. John Mitchels were the stumbling block in two more, 1960 when he was on the defeated West Kerry team and 1966 with East Kerry when himself and Sean Og Sheehy got sent off

[mossie]

I have heard the old stock speak of Tom Long, he was never on my radar as a big name player like Mick O'Dwyer and Mick O'Connell of that era but the old stock rated him

He had an interesting career at club level, great variety to it

And of welcome back Veteran and please stay with us

[greengold35]

Thank you Veteran for that update - had often heard of Tom , always held in high regard, but strangely never really thought of him as one of the greats - maybe it was his short inter county career.

All of us miss your reports, knowledge & insights - hope you stay.

[kerryexile]

Veteran, thanks for that unexpected and informative post - like being at a Karaoke session and Bruce Springsteen walks in.

Thanks also to Piggott for filling us in.

I must say I have no memory of Tom playing but I do remember people talking very highly of him.

RIP Tom.

[Kingdomson]

Feb 14, 2023 14:16:35 GMT veteran said:

I departed from this Forum some time ago because a post of mine was deleted for frivolous reasons. At that time, I said I would return only if the post was restored. I feel obliged to breach that promise, for one night only as the expression goes, to pay tribute to the late Tom Long.

Tom was a Ventry man, playing with them and West Kerry and later with Dr. Crokes, while teaching in the Killarney area. From memory, he won senior medals in 1959 and 1962 and NFL medals in 1959 and 1963. He won a county championship medal with Dr. Crokes and a Dublin county championship medal with Erins Hope, while training to be a teacher in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra.

He started his Kerry senior career circa 1956 and, sensationally, retired after the 1964 final. I say sensationally because he was only about twenty six/seven, at a time when most footballers are at their peak. His early retirement caused consternation and I am not sure if he outlined his reasons then or in subsequent years. He would have been a contemporary of Mick O'Connell and Mick O'Dwyer and both of those boys won further medals in 1969 and 1970.

Tom Long would have been an inch or two short of six feet and weighed about fourteen stone. That compact frame consisted of muscle and bone, without an ounce of flab. It was a physical build which he utilised fearlessly. He used it fairly but if the opponent took liberties he was capable of using nastily. A man of granite with the movement and guile of a black panther. Allied to that he was endowed with hands of glue and power in both lower limbs which enabled him to unleash cannons, being a prolific goal scorer

Nostalgia? Hyperbole? Bombast? Ask your father, your grandfather. Ask the old man who lives down the lane. Ask them how good Tom was at CHB. Ask them how good Tom was at midfield. Ask them how good Tom was at CHF. Ask them how good Tom was at FF. Yes, he expertly and effortlessly filled all those roles as the occasion demanded.

Ah Tom, you were a footballer.

It is said that a person only truly dies when nobody remembers him. It is a sobering thought to think that sometime you will have exhausted the memory of everybody on earth. It is as if a person never existed. However, as long as Kerry football is discussed, as long as Kerry footballers are discussed it is certain that the name of Tom Long will be repeatedly mentioned. That is likely to be to the end of time. An immortal Kerry footballer indeed.

Rest in eternal peace, Tom.

Veteran, this was a lovely post and tribute. On a side note, these boards are a poorer place without your regular contributions. 

RIP Tom Long.

[tpo]

Had the privilege of seeing Tom play but only as a forward. He was the most exciting player I saw in that era. Ran strong and direct with a powerful kick of the ball, a scorer of great goals

[augustafield]

Well said Vet . Your tribute to that Kerry legend Tom Long
R.I.P. said it all . It brought back memories of listening to
Michael O Hehir all those radio years ago and knowing the
anticipation building when he mentioned that Tom Long ‘ had
the ball ‘ May God be good to him .

Veteran you have been missed . This Forum is all the poorer
without you . A wordsmith like you is essential reading .
Postmortems are not the same without your input .
Your decision is respected but a reconsideration
would be a gift to us all on the Forum .

[Ballyfireside]

Feb 14, 2023 23:06:40 GMT augustafield said:

Well said Vet . Your tribute to that Kerry legend Tom Long
R.I.P. said it all . It brought back memories of listening to
Michael O Hehir all those radio years ago and knowing the
anticipation building when he mentioned that Tom Long ‘ had
the ball ‘ May God be good to him .

Veteran you have been missed . This Forum is all the poorer
without you . A wordsmith like you is essential reading .
Postmortems are not the same without your input .
Your decision is respected but a reconsideration
would be a gift to us all on the Forum .

Well put!

[Jo90]

RIP Tom Long

Can the moderators please restore Veteran's previously deleted post so it's not RIP to the VIP's posts on this forum as well?

I don't want to have to wait until the death of Mick O'Connell or Mick O'Dwyer to see Veteran's next post, especially since such fine healthy fit men will probably outlive us all!

[dano]

I never saw Tom Long playing either. Heard of him of course. I feel like I knew him after that post Veteran. Welcome back. Stick around.

[Ballyfireside]

Anyone name 'em all in this photo
www.independent.ie/regionals/kerryman/news/kerry-all-ireland-winner-tom-long-dies-aged-86-42340585.html

[taibhse]

Not too many of these great men left now, unfortunately.
Back Row: Johnny Walshe, Dan McAulife, JJ Barrett, Noel Lucey, Mick O’Connell, Niall Sheehy, Seamus Roche, John Joe Sheehy.
Third Row: Paddy “Bawn” Brosnan, Jerry Riordan, Timmy Sullivan, Jimmy Lucey, Kevin Coffey, Tim “Tiger” Lyons, Tom Long, Fr. D Curtin.
Second Row: Tadgh Crowley, Mick O’Dwyer, Sean Óg Sheehy, Dr. Eamon O’Sullivan, Paudie Sheehy, Dr. Jim Brosnan.
Front Row: Pat Ahearn, Johnny Culloty, Garry McMahon, Dave Geaney.

[Ballyfireside]

Feb 16, 2023 15:26:34 GMT taibhse said:

Not too many of these great men left now, unfortunately.
Back Row: Johnny Walshe, Dan McAulife, JJ Barrett, Noel Lucey, Mick O’Connell, Niall Sheehy, Seamus Roche, John Joe Sheehy.
Third Row: Paddy “Bawn” Brosnan, Jerry Riordan, Timmy Sullivan, Jimmy Lucey, Kevin Coffey, Tim “Tiger” Lyons, Tom Long, Fr. D Curtin.
Second Row: Tadgh Crowley, Mick O’Dwyer, Sean Óg Sheehy, Dr. Eamon O’Sullivan, Paudie Sheehy, Dr. Jim Brosnan.
Front Row: Pat Ahearn, Johnny Culloty, Garry McMahon, Dave Geaney.

You may be missing a name in the second row?

BTW anyone want to put a photo with taibhse's detail in the wan post, it would be nice, and then Vet can tell us the story of them.

Yerra gowan, gowan, gowan Vet!

[tpo]

You may be missing a name in the second row?
Sean or Seamus Murphy ?

[horsebox77]

Feb 16, 2023 22:47:11 GMT Ballyfireside said:

Feb 16, 2023 15:26:34 GMT taibhse said:

Not too many of these great men left now, unfortunately.
Back Row: Johnny Walshe, Dan McAulife, JJ Barrett, Noel Lucey, Mick O’Connell, Niall Sheehy, Seamus Roche, John Joe Sheehy.
Third Row: Paddy “Bawn” Brosnan, Jerry Riordan, Timmy Sullivan, Jimmy Lucey, Kevin Coffey, Tim “Tiger” Lyons, Tom Long, Fr. D Curtin.
Second Row: Tadgh Crowley, Mick O’Dwyer, Sean Óg Sheehy, Dr. Eamon O’Sullivan, Paudie Sheehy, Dr. Jim Brosnan.
Front Row: Pat Ahearn, Johnny Culloty, Garry McMahon, Dave Geaney.

You may be missing a name in the second row?

BTW anyone want to put a photo with taibhse's detail in the wan post, it would be nice, and then Vet can tell us the story of them.

Yerra gowan, gowan, gowan Vet!

Tom Long appreciation thread.. or vet?

[ballybunion]

Seamus Murphy (1962 final). Brother Sean did not play in that (62) final.

[Ballyfireside]

Feb 16, 2023 23:45:20 GMT horsebox77 said:

Feb 16, 2023 22:47:11 GMT Ballyfireside said:

You may be missing a name in the second row?

BTW anyone want to put a photo with taibhse's detail in the wan post, it would be nice, and then Vet can tell us the story of them.

Yerra gowan, gowan, gowan Vet!

Tom Long appreciation thread.. or vet?

Tom Long of course - and I know Vet is reluctant to compare but he'd have a rare insight here, right up his street if we can coax the hoor out of retirement - let's make a law that you can't retire from here until you are, say 250, though because that is what the government want Vet will not definitely not un-retire!

[Joxer]

A brilliant post as ever Veteran. Tom was a little before my time but I heard plenty about him from my father and all of it in the vein of what you are saying. A totemic figure I think it is fair to say in the history of Kerry football.

Truth to tell, I rarely visit this forum these days but whenever I do, the first 'port of call' is to check what posts Veteran has put up. Maybe its because

[Joxer]

(sorry, I hit send too soon!)

Maybe it because I invariably agree with your view but its always expressed is such a 'readable' way, communicated far more effectively than I could manage. There's no posts you put up that I abandon reading half way through and given our ever decreasing attention spans these days, that's saying something! Hopefully, the reason for 'retirement' from the forum can be resolved.

[longfordman]

Feb 14, 2023 14:16:35 GMT veteran said:

I departed from this Forum some time ago because a post of mine was deleted for frivolous reasons. At that time, I said I would return only if the post was restored. I feel obliged to breach that promise, for one night only as the expression goes, to pay tribute to the late Tom Long.

Tom was a Ventry man, playing with them and West Kerry and later with Dr. Crokes, while teaching in the Killarney area. From memory, he won senior medals in 1959 and 1962 and NFL medals in 1959 and 1963. He won a county championship medal with Dr. Crokes and a Dublin county championship medal with Erins Hope, while training to be a teacher in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra.

He started his Kerry senior career circa 1956 and, sensationally, retired after the 1964 final. I say sensationally because he was only about twenty six/seven, at a time when most footballers are at their peak. His early retirement caused consternation and I am not sure if he outlined his reasons then or in subsequent years. He would have been a contemporary of Mick O'Connell and Mick O'Dwyer and both of those boys won further medals in 1969 and 1970.

Tom Long would have been an inch or two short of six feet and weighed about fourteen stone. That compact frame consisted of muscle and bone, without an ounce of flab. It was a physical build which he utilised fearlessly. He used it fairly but if the opponent took liberties he was capable of using nastily. A man of granite with the movement and guile of a black panther. Allied to that he was endowed with hands of glue and power in both lower limbs which enabled him to unleash cannons, being a prolific goal scorer

Nostalgia? Hyperbole? Bombast? Ask your father, your grandfather. Ask the old man who lives down the lane. Ask them how good Tom was at CHB. Ask them how good Tom was at midfield. Ask them how good Tom was at CHF. Ask them how good Tom was at FF. Yes, he expertly and effortlessly filled all those roles as the occasion demanded.

Ah Tom, you were a footballer.

It is said that a person only truly dies when nobody remembers him. It is a sobering thought to think that sometime you will have exhausted the memory of everybody on earth. It is as if a person never existed. However, as long as Kerry football is discussed, as long as Kerry footballers are discussed it is certain that the name of Tom Long will be repeatedly mentioned. That is likely to be to the end of time. An immortal Kerry footballer indeed.

Rest in eternal peace, Tom.

Hi I am wondering if anyone can help me here. I am doing research on former players for my club in county Longford, Drumlish. In 1951 we had a Kerry man star for us in our senior championship success, Sean Long. He was a national school teacher. The story around here goes that he was an All Ireland minor winner for Kerry and that in school and around Drumlish he used to tell everyone to watch out for the younger brother that is coming, Tom. He was only in our school about a year before moving elsewhere. He had also played with Longford seniors. Can anyone shed any light on this man whether it's true that he was an All ireland minor winner and an older brother of the legendary Tom? In 2004 Micheal O Muircheartaigh was in our clubhouse for a medal presentation and looking at old photos on the wall he instantly recognised Sean Long and said he was a fabulous player but I cannot remember if he elaborated further. Thank you

[Control3]

If you look at the page on terrace talk at www.terracetalk.com/kerry-football/letter/L there is a Sean long but, the dates don't match up. If he was Tom Long's brother he would have played for An Gaeltacht as well. You can try contacting the club PRO at [e-mail]

[longfordman]

Oct 20, 2023 12:54:13 GMT Control3 said:

If you look at the page on terrace talk at www.terracetalk.com/kerry-football/letter/L there is a Sean long but, the dates don't match up. If he was Tom Long's brother he would have played for An Gaeltacht as well. You can try contacting the club PRO at [e-mail]

Thank you