A hurling legend is being laid to rest in Clonaslee.
Having won two All-Irelands, five Leinster titles, three railway cups and one national hurling league, Tom Neville is regarded as one of Wexford’s greatest ever hurlers.
The former corner-back and Teagasc employee is being laid to rest at the age of 80.
Tom’s wife Annie (neé Dunne) is a Clonaslee woman, and after an illustrious playing career, he became involved in training and managing teams – including the Clonaslee side of 1975.
The first of many teams he was involved with was Clonaslee who he trained to win a Laois senior championship in 1975.
Well-known publican Michael ‘Junior’ Dowling remembers the Wexford legend with fondness.
“One of the highlights of his training career was to train St Martin’s of Kilkenny to their first county title in 1984 and bring them all the way to the club All-Ireland which they won after a replay beating Castlegar,” wrote Junior.
The Wexford man died in the loving care of Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny, on Friday October 18.
Born in Fethard-on-Sea in 1939, Neville played for the Wexford senior hurling team on 27 occasions between 1960 and 1972.
A member of the Geraldine O’Hanrahan’s club in New Ross, he made his intercounty debut in 1960.
His outstanding career consisted of: two All-Ireland medals in 1960 and 1968; five Leinster titles (1960, 1962, 1965, 1968 and 1970), three Railway Cup medals (1964, 1965 and 1967), one National Hurling League title in 1966-’67.
He achieved a county championship medal with his club, Geraldine O’Hanrahan’s, in 1966.
Tom was also the captain of the 1965 team beaten by Tipperary in the All-Ireland.
Managing accolades
After his retirement in 1972, he remained at the top seat of Wexford hurling, managing the 1976 and ’77 teams.
He also trained the highly successful Oulart-the-Ballagh GAA Club, who won Wexford county senior hurling championships in 1994, ’95 and ’97.
Tom is sadly missed by his wife Annie, daughter Mary, sisters Stáis and Kathleen, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, Peter, Emma and all his other grand-nieces and grand-nephews, cousins, relatives, many friends especially those of his GAA family.
Reposing in R. Healy & Son Funeral Home Pollerton Castle, Carlow on Sunday from 3pm onwards, concluding with prayers at 8 pm.
Funeral Mass in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Carlow, on Monday at 10am.
Burial afterwards in St. Manmam’s Cemetery, Clonaslee, arriving 1pm approximately.
Family flowers only, please, donations in lieu to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland.
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