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Post by SteelFixer on Nov 9, 2008 2:59:37 GMT
The death occurred on Friday of Tom Collins, Kilmoyley. One of the greats of Kerry GAA.
Tom was a dual player for the county durng the 1950's and 60's, winning All-Irelands in Senior Football, Junior Football, Junior Hurling, aswell as National Leagues and Railway Cups.
What Tom will probably be best remembered for, is his amazing achievement of having played in three Munster Finals in the one day. It happened in Killarney in July 1956. He played full games for the Kerry Juniors in Hurling and Football, and then came on as a sub at half time for the Senior footballers against Cork.
On the domestic front, Tom was a mainstay of the St Brendans district team for many years, playing in several county senior football finals, and winning a minor championship with the division in 1953. He also won every domestic hurling honour available with Kilmoyley.
His brother John was also a distinguished footballer, winning All-Ireland minors, and juniors with Kerry and Sigerson cups with UCD. His brother-in-law, Tim 'Tiger' Lyons was a legendary full back for Kerry in the 1950's and 60's.
Away from the GAA field, he was a major greyhound enthuasist, and won the Irish coursing cup one year with his dog Ballymacquinn Monarch.
A very pleasant and sincere individual, may he rest in peace.
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Post by veteran on Nov 9, 2008 22:40:37 GMT
I am sorry to hear of the death of Tom Collins. I was too young to witness his tour de force in Fitzgerald Stadium in 1956. It truly was a remarkable achievement for an amatuer player and is part of the folklore of Kerry GAA.
I presume he won his senior medal as a sub in 1959 but I am uncertain when he won a railway cup medal.
I did not know that Tom was a brother in-law of Tim "Tiger" Lyons from Cordal. Tiger, an uncle of Mossy, died a young man. He was powerfully built with safe hands. He won his senior medals in 1959 and 1962 at left corner back.. Tiger was sensationally dropped for the semi final in 1959 with Mick O'Dwyer moving back and Fr. Moss O'Connell coming in at left half back. I think Fr. Moss was back from around Tom Collins country. In any case, Tiger was brought back for the final with Micko moving out to number seven again. Incidentally, that 1959 semi final against Dublin has been justifiably rated as one of the greatest games ever played. Tom Long was masterful on the forty but ,above all that, man from Valentia was untouchable at midfield.
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Post by Mickmack on Nov 9, 2008 23:17:24 GMT
St Brendans has a powerful side back then apparently and were due to play the county final against either John Mitchells or Kerins O Rahillys when about ten of the side were struck down with the flu. They were refused a postponement and lost. I think it was Kerins O Rahillys.
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Johnnyb
Fanatical Member
Posts: 1,444
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Post by Johnnyb on Nov 10, 2008 16:13:38 GMT
Commiserations to his family. RIP
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Post by mafi97 on Nov 10, 2008 18:36:17 GMT
Really sorry to hear of the passing of Tom Collins. I have always felt as if I knew him - because I have been dining out on the story of his exploits for years. You extract the maximum out of saga if you toss in (getting your timing right) the closing remark ----"and then he went home and milked the cows".
That Munster Final in Killarney was a replay which had been delayed for six weeks because of the outbreak of polio in Cork. It is still a sore point that I was not allowed to go because of the perceived risks. At the time, I regarded it as an example of my Mother being overly-protective (again) - when in fact no young people were taken to that particular match.
While his family will have their own personal memories of the man - I'm sure they will like the fact that we have our particular memory of a feat that will never be repeated.
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Post by dastriker on Nov 10, 2008 19:08:33 GMT
RIP tom....sad loss to the GAA!!
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Post by SteelFixer on Nov 12, 2008 22:25:41 GMT
I am sorry to hear of the death of Tom Collins. I was too young to witness his tour de force in Fitzgerald Stadium in 1956. It truly was a remarkable achievement for an amatuer player and is part of the folklore of Kerry GAA. I presume he won his senior medal as a sub in 1959 but I am uncertain when he won a railway cup medal. I did not know that Tom was a brother in-law of Tim "Tiger" Lyons from Cordal. Tiger, an uncle of Mossy, died a young man. He was powerfully built with safe hands. He won his senior medals in 1959 and 1962 at left corner back.. Tiger was sensationally dropped for the semi final in 1959 with Mick O'Dwyer moving back and Fr. Moss O'Connell coming in at left half back. I think Fr. Moss was back from around Tom Collins country. In any case, Tiger was brought back for the final with Micko moving out to number seven again. Incidentally, that 1959 semi final against Dublin has been justifiably rated as one of the greatest games ever played. Tom Long was masterful on the forty but ,above all that, man from Valentia was untouchable at midfield. Not sure of the years Tom won his medals. Must check it out. Tiger was married to Tom's sister. Teak tough defender by all accounts. Died a young man allright back in the mid 1980's. Fr. Moss O' Connell was from Abbeydorney. Wing back as you pointed out in 1959. Meant to have been a very stylish player. His brother Tom also got a few runs with Kerry in that period. Fr. Moss was very highly rated, and if he had'nt gone away on the missions it is felt he would have been a permanent fixture on the Kerry team during the early and mid 60's. |
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