Members of Thurles Sports Fest Committee with the former Tipp managers at Hayes Hotel Thurles, pictured are Jim Ryan, Donie Nealon, Fr Tom Fogarty, Michael Babs Keating, Len Gaynor, Tommy Barrett Jnr, Stevie O'Donnell, John Lanigan and Noel Dundon. Photo by Eamonn McGee

Carriers of the hurling flame

Published: Wed 18 Jul 2018, 11:17 AM

Last updated: Wed 18 Jul 2018, 12:20 PM

By Liam Hogan

Described as “Legends of Tipperary all”, Donie Nealon, Len Gaynor, Michael Keating and Fr Tom Fogarty provided plenty food for thought each recalling times past and present while looking at the future too with the zeal and determination that they had when they hurled and managed the various teams, club and county.

Addressing the start of a forum organised by Thurles Sports Festival 2018 (formally Thurles Sarsfield’s Festival of Gaelic Sport), Guest speaker, Tipperary Star journalist Noel Dundon said: “They managed to raise the profile of Tipperary elevating it to a different level laying the foundations in place for others to follow. We all remember Killarney in 1987 the great day it was for the followers and I don’t know if Babs and Donie really appreciate the impact it made on the public of Tipperary at the time.”

“Len Gaynor managed Clare and Tipperary and led his own club Kilruane MacDonaghs to win many county championships and a club All-Ireland. His involvement in coaching with club and county brought enthusiasm, knowhow and instilling a love for the game and wherever he went.

“Fr Tom Fogarty was a dual star with Tipp at minor and under 21 level and then came in as manager of the Tipperary minor hurling teams and progressed to the under 21 and senior hurling teams. Fr Tom is one of the men I speak about in laying the foundations for others to follow on,”

“I think I am right when I say that Donie Nealon is the most decorated living Tipperary hurler at the moment. Donie was involved in all of the Tipperary All-Ireland successes from 1958 to 1991, (won five 1958, ’61, ’62, ’64, and ’65 as a player and ‘71, ’89 and ‘91as a coach, runners up in 1960,’67, ’68 and ‘88). I think twelve All-Ireland in total and is an immense contribution for anybody to make. Then add in the fact he was involved as Munster council secretary 1977 to 2004”.

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