Sadness as Little Blue Hero, Tom Lynch, passes away
12 year-old Crossakiel lad was massive sports fan
Young sports fan, Tom Lynch of Creevagh, Crossakiel, who had taken to the pitch in some of the greatest stadiums, died yesterday (Monday).
Earlier this year, to mark his 12th birthday, he was an official mascot for the Ireland Rugby team as they took on England at the Aviva, meeting captain Caelan Doris and the squad.
Last September, he accompanied his Manchester City idol Erling Haaland onto the Etihad Stadium pitch ahead of a Premier League game against Brentford FC, when he was named Fan of the Match and got a kiss and a hug from team manager Pep Guardiola.
Tom, who was a pupil at Kilskyre NS, was a wheelchair user as a result of a rare genetic condition, Dejerine Sottas Syndrome, but it never stopped his love for both soccer and GAA.
"With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved son Tom, who left us too soon on 14th April 2025, Age 12," his parents said today (Tuesday) in a RIP.ie notice.
"Tom brought joy, laughter and the light of our lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew him," the notice continues.
"Tom was a bright, kind and fun loving boy whose smile lit up every room. A proud supporter of Manchester City, Meath GAA, rugby, his local teams Ballinlough GFC, Kilskyre Hurling club, Tom was a proud student of Kilskyre National School, where he will be sorely missed by his school mates, teachers and the whole community. Forever in our hearts Tom, you will never be forgotten."
Predeceased by his grandparents, Nancy and Kit Lynch, Tom will be forever loved and deeply missed by his heartbroken parents Derek and Nikki, and especially by his brother and sister Charlie and Lucy who loved him dearly, his loving grandparents, John and Breda Farrelly, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, neighbours, friends and his many school friends at Kilskyre National School.
He is reposing at his home (A82FD30) on Thursday from 2pm to 5pm, family break, and then 6pm to 9pm. Funeral Liturgy is on Saturday 19th April at 12 noon in St Alphonsus Liguori Church, Kilskyre, with burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only, donations if desired to Little Blue Heroes. House private at all other times please.
BALLINLOUGH GAA TRIBUTE TO TOM
I’ve committed pen to paper far more times than I’d like, to speak about and remember loved ones from our community who have sadly passed on, but none of them have come closer to breaking my heart than this one.
Tom Lynch was no ordinary little boy. He was the shining light in our club and community, a young man who faced adversity throughout his 12 short years of life, but he overcame each battle in the same way, with his loving parents and siblings by his side, and a smile on his face.
Tom was born with a rare condition called Hypotonia and Global Development Delay(GDD), and while the diagnosis may have limited his abilities, it never dented his spirit and he learned to not only live, but to thrive, despite the hand that life dealt him.
From a young age we knew Tom was special, and everyone wanted to be a part of his journey to support and love him like he was our own.
When Fundraisers were launched to help fund Tom’s dream of walking, the community came out in their droves to support Tom’s family both financially and emotionally, with over €200,000 raised over the years to assist him with his needs.
Facing further setbacks, sadly Tom’s dream of walking never became a reality, but he learned to live life a different way and when he got his motorized wheelchair, well there was literally no stopping him go…and by did he go!
From football pitches the length and breadth of the county, Tom could always be seen, and often heard shouting in a few choice words of encouragement for his beloved Ballinlough.
He acted as Club Mascot on more than one occasion, before progressing to even loftier heights as he followed the Meath Senior Footballers around the country. These trips led to many many photo opportunities, with inter-county stars and GAA personalities from all over, all wanting their photo taken with our Tom.
Through his love of the game Tom amassed quite the collection of GAA jerseys over the years, and as a sign of how respected and loved he was by all, opposition clubs would often make great effort to give Tom a jersey from their stock to add to his ever expanding pile… he even managed to snag one off a Referee once, Keith Sheerin more than happy to hand his over despite Tom perhaps turning the air blue on occasion when a decision didn’t go our way!
Football was central to Tom’s life, and he was central to a lot of good we did here at the club. He received his own winners medal when our U-14 team won their Championship in 2019, and he was on hand to present the Cup to our U-15 team on behalf of Brian Kelly and the Meath Minor Committee in 2022.
He even had Managerial experience in his locker, regularly giving us his opinion on the game, and served as a massive inspiration for his Kilskyre N.S colleagues when they won their Schools Cup last year.
Every victory the club enjoyed Tom was there and there are countless photos of a beaming Tom grasping onto Cups and Shields that were won over the years.
Away from Ballinlough, Tom had the honour of being Team Mascot for the Ireland soccer team, the Ireland rugby team and probably in Tom’s eyes, his greatest day came when he acted as Mascot for his cherished Man City side in the Premier League, how proud we all were to see Tom up on the big screen with Pep and the lads, he didn’t look an inch out of place.
A short time spent with us but so much life packed into those 12 sweet years, and these memories and mementos will serve as great reminders in time, of how much this little boy was loved by all who were blessed to know him.
Tom’s passing has left a massive void in our hearts and Heaven has gained another Angel. Sleep easy now little man, we’ll never forget you.
MEATH GAA TRIBUTE TO TOM
Yesterday morning, April 14, a light that had shone brightly for twelve short years went out as Tom Lynch passed away.
Tom was born on February 5 2013 with a rare condition called Hypotonia and Global Development Delay (GDD). That limited Toms abilities to do certain things but he never let it get in the way of too much and he always had a smile on his face for those that met him.
And there was nobody he met who didn’t end up with a soft spot for him.
It wasn’t long before fundraisers were launched with the win of finding his dream of walking and over €200,00 was raised over the years.
Tom though was to endure further setbacks and that dream never became a reality although it never held him back.
He became a fixture at sporting events once the motorised wheelchair became a reality and there wasn’t a pitch he was unfamiliar with.
He quickly took on the role of Club Mascot and wherever he went there was generally a new jersey to pick up to add to the impressive collection or a photo with somebody famous to get.
From a county perspective, we were delighted to appoint him as an Honoury Member of the Minor Committee in late 2022, when he was the proudest person in the county as he presented his beloved Ballinlough with the trophy after they won their Championship Final.
And in January 2024 when there was a photoshoot for young supporters in advance of the years competitions, there was no way Tom was going to miss out on his chance to do his bit for the county.
Of course, it wasn’t just Ballinlough, Kilskyre and Meath who Tom supported. He was also an avid Man City and Ireland supporter. Last September he was mascot for Man City and in February for the Irish Rugby team.
Twelve years is all too short a time on this earth, but Tom packed more into his twelve years than many of us will into a much longer lifetime.
To the communities of Ballinlough and Kilskyre and most importantly to his parents Derek and Nikki, brother Charlie, sister Lucy and all the extended Lynch and Farrelly family, all in Coiste na Mí extend our heartfelt sympathies on your loss.
Tom has gone to his eternal reward, leaving behind so many special memories.