Hall of Fame - Tom Daly
Now to our hall of fame recipient this evening, a very prestigious award indeed to be inducted into a group of distinguished Aodh Ruadh names who are etched firmly in our club history. Well, I understand that on his debut for Aodh Ruadh back in the late 1940s in a Democrat Cup match against Glenties he was knocked out and spent the night in the old Glenties hospital. In fact, such was the nature of the injury and the lack of medical assistance at the game that he was supposed to have been anointed on the sideline! Perhaps, he'll confirm that for us later this evening.
Our hall of fame inductee was a member of the team that won the 1951 county final, playing throughout the championship and lining out at right corner forward in the final against St Eunan's, Aodh Ruadh of course won by 1-6 to 1-5. We honoured the surviving members of that side here a few years ago. When Aodh Ruadh next won the championship in 1986, some 31 years later, his two sons Thomas and Seamus were involved continuing the lineage between fathers and sons with Tommy McDermott and Eunan Gallagher, whose fathers, Jackie and Jim played in 1951 also involved.
He also played in the 1955 league final victory over St Eunan's. Unfortunately, St Eunan's were to emerge victorious in the championship final of 1956 with our hall of fame inductee also involved. He remembers the 1956 final as he was dropped on the Saturday night before the game in favour of the late Mickey Cooney. He came on as a sub during that game. Brother Raphael, who was chairman, saw him going into a pub where Finn McCool's now stands just down the road, and although he only drank a mineral he was dropped on the spot! A policy which could thin out the adult football playing panel if applied today.
I'm afraid playing music took over after that, and he followed this passion through his involvement with the Brass and Reid Band, as well as various other local groups and bands and the Musical Society.
He remains a most avid supporter of the club to this day and became known as the man with the camera who always left each game with a wealth of photos which have proved most useful to the club on many occasions.
He has always been willing to help both the club and park committee and has been a great help collecting Lotto in the Shopping Centre always being willing to assist at short notice.
Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a huge hand to this year's inductee into the Aodh Ruadh Hall of Fame, Mr Tom Gallagher.
Tom Gallagher is inducted into the Aodh Ruadh Hall of Fame by club chair person Betty McIntyre.
Hall of fame inductee Tom Gallagher and his proud family pose for a picture.
Last modified: Thursday, 29 November 2018 at 2:23pm