Tom Gunning was a renowned sportsman and character

The late Tom Gunning, Milltown, was a very well-known figure in Mullingar and the wider community and his passing last Friday was greeted with genuine sadness by all who knew him.

Tom was a very popular personality and had many friends in Mullingar, having had strong connections with the town for many decades. Aged 74, Tom’s passing came after a brave battle with illness, one which was borne with dignity and courage, traits for which he was renowned.

He enjoyed a very active and varied working life, being employed in Tarkett, Mullingar, before joining Telecom Éireann in 1984. Tom also worked as a barman in The Tavern, Mullingar, where McDonald's is now located, for a few years in the early 1980s and made many friends and connections during his tenure. He went on to work in Telecom Éireann for many decades.

Tom was also a very prominent member of the FCA for many years.

Tom had a strong farming background and was also a very skilled gardener. He loved to have the best Waylons in Ballymahon mart and would boast about the great price he received!

Tom was very knowledgeable regarding horses and horse racing; he was very well informed when it came to breeding and pedigree.

A great gardener, he was proud of his vegetables, very generous with his produce and loved to get praise. He was an excellent worker on the bog, rearing his turf each year.

A very keen sports enthusiast and talented individual, Tom won an All-Ireland hurling colleges title in 1967 with St Mary’s College, Mullingar (now Coláiste Mhuire). He excelled as a Gaelic footballer, but was quite an adept golfer (playing off a low handicap) and pitch and putt player, while his ability at pool, snooker, darts and rings are renowned.

He's now reunited with his old pal, Johnny Mullally in Heaven: they played partners in pool for many years and their exploits are legendary.

It was as a Gaelic football that Tom really made his mark, though. He played county minor football for four consecutive years with Westmeath, starting at the age of 14, which is a pretty unique achievement and underlines just how much he had to offer as a player. However, work as a bus conductor took him to Dublin at a young age and cut short his playing career with the Lake County.

Tom played club football for his beloved Milltown and won junior football titles in ‘74 and ‘84. He was a regular at centre field, but such was his prowess that he could feature in a variety of positions and he rarely failed to make an impression. He competed in several other finals with the Rathconrath club and remained a staunch supporter of both the men’s and ladies teams over the years.

Tom maintained his love of Gaelic football in Dublin and actually played two championships the same day - one in Dublin one in Kildare. He played with St Enda’s in Crumlin, Dublin and they had a good U21 team, losing in the county final to St Vincent’s, of which the late, legendary Brian Mullins was a star.

Tom played for CIE during those working days, in a business house league in Dublin.

Tom also won a hurling championship with the Castletown Geoghegan club. His sporting ability was widely recognised and he played rugby with Mullingar RFC for years. He was a unique character and someone who always wanted to win; he had that competitive edge.

Tom will be missed by his many friends, but especially his family of Deirdre and children, Damien, Anna, Aoife and Emma.

He is mourned by his daughter-in-law Sheena, grand-daughter Emily; sisters May and Renée; and many relatives. Tom was predeceased by his sister Rose.

Both Milltown GAA Clubs have paid glowing tributes to Tom for the great dedication shown during his lifetime.

Ár dheis Dé go raibh a anam.