Michael Cahill's legacy to be honoured
Last Saturday at MacDonagh Park in Cloughjordan, the Cahill family were honoured to present the Michael Cahill Cup to the North Tipperary GAA Board for the winners of the Junior 'A' Hurling Championship.
The family were delighted and extremely proud to be able to commemorate Michael’s memory and honour his lifelong love of hurling.
This cup is a testament to the commitment and dedication Michael had for his family, his club and his county. Through the Michael Cahill Cup, his name and legacy will never be forgotten.
It is fitting that the Michael Cahilll cup represents Junior hurling, as Michael was a goalkeeper on the Kilruane MacDonaghs Junior team, winning North Championship medals in 1975 and 1985; in addition to winning a County medal in 1985. Michael played Junior and Intermediate hurling up until 1987.
Michael’s love of hurling was evident throughout his life and this extended beyond playing the sport. In GAA circles, Michael was an acclaimed referee; refereeing club and county matches from 1974 onwards. In 2019, the North Board honoured Michael for his 45 years of distinguished service as a referee.
Through his time spent acting as a referee, fourth official and a steward, Michael became a familiar presence in both MacDonagh Park and Semple Stadium. Loyal Tipperary supporters came to know and respect him for his passion and commitment to the game. This passion, accompanied by Michael’s warm and unassuming manner, inspired many friendships. One example is the friendship he shared with loyal Tipperary fan, Gerry Kelly. Gerry came to know Michael through his years of stewarding in Thurles and appreciated his unwavering kindness. In Michael’s memory, Gerry donated money to the Cahill family, from which this cup was purchased.
Michael was renowned for his sense of community spirit and his willingness to help others. This is evident in the 48 years he spent working in various committee roles as part of the Kilruane Hurling Club. Furthermore, he was a leading figure in the development and maintenance of McDonagh Park in Cloughjordan, an active member of the Credit Union and an active volunteer with the North Tipperary Fire Brigade.
The family would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to Gerry Kelly, Fergal Prout, Joe Cahill and Jerome Cahill who made the Michael Cahill cup possible. Additionally, a huge thank you to Eoin Fitzgibbon in Breo for his beautiful engraving of the cup.
“It has been said that if your name is held in the hearts of others, you will never truly die”
Michael Cahill 1952-2019