Tom ‘Flash’ Dunne was very well respected
THERE was widespread sadness throughout Enniscorthy and across the county last week as the funeral took place of one of the county’s most prominent sporting figures.
Tom ‘Flash’ Dunne, passed away on Wednesday, May 27, in St John’s Hospital, in the loving care of the nurses and staff.
Born in Irish Street, Enniscorthy, Mr Dunne was one of the most respected members of the community.
He spent most of his life living in St Aidan’s Villas. He went to school in the CBS and got married when he was 19, to his beloved wife, Margaret, who was originally from Maudlintown, in Wexford.
Shortly after getting married in the mid-1960s the couple went to live in England for a short time.
However, they came back to Enniscorthy where Mr Dunne took up a position as postman.
He spent over two decades in that role and became a very familiar figure around the town and district.
He took early retirement to look after his son, Gerard, who became ill.
Mr Dunne’s daughter, Deborah,
passed away in 1975 and, unfortunately, Gerard also passed away in 1989.
After he took early retirement, Mr Dunne gave all of his spare time to soccer and was an integral figure on the domestic soccer scene across the county.
He managed and trained men’s and women’s teams and he brought a lot of his formidable on-field talent to the coaching arena as well.
He also liked golf and was a keen fan of sport in general.
A very memorable and historic event happened in his life when, at the age of 50, he lined out for Enniscorthy United alongside his son Thomas, who was 30 at the time, and Martin, who was 18.
Mr Dunne began the St Aidan’s schoolboys soccer team and he also managed junior and senior Oscar Traynor cup teams.
While he was synonymous with sport, his family meant everything to him and he was interested in everything they did.
He also loved jiving and the company of friends and he also took an interest in racing pigeons for a period of time.
Mr Dunne experienced a lot of heartbreak during his life with another son, Thomas, passing away in 2018 and his wife, Margaret, also passed away in January that year.
Speaking to this newspaper his son, Martin, acknowledge the support given to his father by his friends like Thomas ‘Gilly’ Wildes, Billy Plummer and Leo O’Connor, who used to visit him regularly in St John’s.
Martin also thanked the staff in the hospital for the care they afforded his father during his time there.
Mr Dunne’s requiem mass took place in St Aidan’s Cathedral, Enniscorthy, on Friday, May 29, and members of Enniscorthy United women’s team and Ajax Athletic, formed a guard of honour while many other club colours were also represented on the day.
A public memorial mass to celebrate Mr Dunne’s life will be held at a later date.