The Tommy Spillane Memorial Fund is up and running in the local Community at the moment and, so far, the response has been very good.
Tommy was a member of an old Thomastown family who resided in The Mall. Born in 1935 he was an excellent young hurler and from 1946 to 1949 won 3 U14 County Finals out of 4 contested. He went on to have the distinction of captaining the local club to win the first ever U16 Co played in 1951. Like many young lads of his time he emigrated to England in search of work in 1954 but, sadly in less than 2 weeks he was tragically killed in a fall from a scaffolding. He was brought home and was buried in St Mary’s New Cemetery in what is, to this day, an unmarked grave. As an only son to his mother Lizzie, his family have long since all passed on.
Some of his existing teammates and old school pals hope to have his grave marked by the erection of a headstone and to this end are appealing for help in the form of a donation, via Joe Dunphy or Tommy Hayes, or by attending a Musical Night in Tim’s Bar on Wednesday 14th August. All help will be gratefully received and acknowledged.
Thank you