Mullinahone.net

There was great sadness in the local community when news broke of the death of Thomas (Tom) Cahill, at the early age of 61 years.

Tom’s death tool place in St Brigit's Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir and came at the end of two years of severe illness.

Tom was born on The Square, Mullinahone, and lived there until moving to England where he married Bee Hawe of Kilvemnon. Tom and Bee returned to neighbouring Grangemockler and took up residence there more than thirty years ago. Tom and Bee and their family quickly welded into the local community.

Tom was always a well known sportsman, in his earlier days he played football for Mullinahone and Tipperary and as a boy and young man he was often to be seen walking (exercising) greyhounds around Mullinahone.

He also became interested in horses. On his return from England to Grangemockler he continued those interests. In 1977 he was a member of the Grangemockler team which won the South Tipp Junior Football Championship. Prior to Christmas this team, including Tom, were specially honoured by the Grangemockler club.

Tom worked as a fitter. He combined his work with his love of training horses which he took up officially in 1981. He later obtained a full trainer’s licence. His greatest success came about ten years ago when Letter the horse trained by Tom Cahill won the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park. Letterlee is of course the name of the mythical village (Grangemockler) written about by Joseph Brady (pen name) in The Big Sycamore. Tom continued his early interest in greyhounds and remained an owner most of his life. He also enjoyed a social game of cards.

Having reposed in Kilvemnon and Brett’s Funeral Home, Mullinahone, Tom’s remains were removed to St Mary’s Church, Grangemockler. His funeral cortege was escorted to the end of the village by members of Mullinahone GAA club, many of whom had played with Tom in his younger days.

When the cortege arrived to Grangemockler it was escorted to the church by members of Grangemockler GAA. The coffin was carried by members of the 1977 team who had played with Tom. The clergy who attended Tom’s funeral obsequies were Fr Cunningham PP, Ballyneale, Fr Grere CC, Grangemockler and Fr McGrath PP, Mullinahone.

At his funeral Mass the readings, the offertory prayers, the presentation of gifts were completed by Tom’s immediate and extended family members. Items presented which told the story of Tom’s relatively short life were his racing colours, a Gaelic football, a copy of The Irish Field and a deck of cards. A fine resume of Tom’s life was given by John Walsh on behalf of the people of Grangemockler parish and the surrounding community.

Tom’s popularity was attested to by the large numbers who attended the reposed, the removal of the remains and his funeral Mass and burial which took place in the graveyard adjoining St Mary’s Church. It is also here that the remains of the great GAA her Michael Hogan who was shot on Bloody Sunday, 1920, in Croke Park, are buried.

We extend our sympathy to Tom’s wife Bee, to his sons Brian, Mark and Paul and his granddaughter Roisin and his brothers Paddy (Cork City), Francis, Seamus and Bernie (United Kingdom). We further extend our sympathy to Tom’s extended family.

May the gates of heaven open to an Irish Sportsman.