R.I.P Tom Daly

Friday 13th September 2024

Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA are saddened to learn of the death of Tom Daly, our former County Hurling Officer. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Maria, his children, Cara, Conor and Sé, his mother Johanna and his brothers Donal and Peter. To the entire Daly and Fitzpatrick families, the Gaels of Cumann Pheadar Naofa, Clann Mhúrn, Longstone and Ballygiblin , we offer our condolences on the sudden passing of  a man taken too soon.

Tom was a native of Cork, his home Club being Ballygiblin and he came amongst us in Down back in 2009, when he became a member of  Cumann Pheadar Naofa,  he brought energy and enthusiasm, as a player and as a coach and there was no happier man in 2022, when Warrenpoint would win the Junior Hurling Championship, the Hurling Pathway programme that he had worked so hard on had come to fruition.

Tom served two years as County Hurling Officer, in 2016 and 2017, a role in which he sought to develop several new initiatives, hosting the Down Hurling Development Forum in 2016 and in 2017 initiating the Player Pathway programme, through our Emerging Talent Squads. 

Tom loved to coach and to have a project where he could make a real impact in particular with Juveniles and now living in Longstone, the Clan Mhúrn Hurling Project was ideal for Tom. 

He loved being able to introduce so many young Clann Mhúrn hurlers to the game that he loved, he was spreading the hurling gospel again in Mourne, just as another Cork man Jerry Sheehan had done decades before.  Tom loved seeking their progress, there was a word of encouragement for everyone, he knew all of his hurlers and they, all knew and looked up to Tom, the blitzes, were about hurling and about fun.

Tom Daly made a real difference to the world of hurling in Down, a difference that will be seen in time to come as the game of hurling continues to grow in places like Warrenpoint and in Mourne, places where Tom Daly helped to nurture a love of our ancient game.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam