Death of 1954 All-Ireland SFC winner, Tom O'Brien

First Skryne captain to lift Keegan Cup

Thomas (Tom) O'Brien, one of the last surviving members of the 1954 Meath All-Ireland winning team, has died at the age of 95.

He was the first captain of a Skryne team to lift the Keegan Cup, when the Tara club won the silverware a year after the trophy was introduced.

From The Bush, Dunshaughlin, he was a cousin of the well-known Skryne GAA family, while his other was a member of the equally prominent Loughran family of Kilmessan.

The history of Skryne GAA, the Blue Kings of Tara, says that he success of Skryne football club in the late forties and throughout the fifties stems from the remarkable contribution of Tom O’Brien.

He gave outstanding service to Skryne, Oberstown, Dunshaughlin, Drumree and of course the Meath county team.

"Tom was a strong strapping footballer with electrifying speed and possessed a tremendous catch of the high ball. His point scoring and solo runs were magnificent. Occasionally, his shooting was impulsive and wayward, but it never stopped him having a go. It was a joy to play on the same team as this inspirational footballer," David Carty writes.

Tom was one of the stars of the Meath junior football team in 1952 when they won the All-Ireland, beating London in the final. He made his debut in the replay of the All-Ireland senior final against Cavan in 1952.

He manned the right half-back position to no avail as Cavan won the day by 0–9 to 0–5. Tom was Meath’s star player in their one-point defeat to Louth in 1953. He was back again in 1954 after Tom Duff had broken his leg in the Leinster final. Tom made his appearance at midfield partnering Paddy Connell once again against Cavan. He had an outstanding game but finished on the sideline with a broken collar bone. He made a great recovery to take his place at midfield against Kerry in the All-Ireland final.

Tom had a brilliant game in the final dominating midfield along with Paddy Connell. His speed, dash and tenacious tackling belied the injury he had received a few weeks earlier. Just a few weeks later, Tom captained Skryne to win the senior championship for the seventh time. He had a fine game at midfield registering a great point in the second half.

Tom’s brother, Sean, also lined out in the 1954 championship final and turned in many great games for Skryne over the years. Tom played hurling with Oberstown, Kilmessan, Ratoath and St Patrick’s. He won two senior championship medals with Kilmessan 1947 and 1948 and two with St Patrick’s in 1953 and 1954. He was also successful with both clubs in the O’Growney Cup. In 1960, Tom moved on to Dunshaughlin to play football, and later finished off his career with Drumree.

In 2001, he returned to Pairc Tailteann to throw in the ball in the county final between Skryne and Dunshaughlin.

Tom, of Beechmount Vale in Navan, died peacefully yesterday, surrounded by his family at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan. He is survived by his wife Laura (nee O'Rourke, Drumree), son Fergal, daughter Kiva, brother Sean, sister Gertrude (Ger) Maher, son-in-law Gavin Cromwell, grandchildren Jake, Sophie and Camron, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

His remains are reposing at his daughter's residence Danestown (C15 DKD5) on Saturday from 2pm to 8pm, with removal on Sunday afternoon arriving to St Martin’s Church, Culmullen, Drumree, for 1pm funeral Mass. Burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery.