Call was made to name the GAA Grounds after the great Tom Burke

50 years ago, Drogheda and the country lost one of its foremost figures with the death of Tom Burke. This is how we reported it: ‘WE salute you as a soldier of Irish freedom, and as one who suffered imprisonment, hardship and privation in pursuit of the belief that the Republic might live. Over half a century has elapsed since you first graced the Gaelic field as a footballer, athlete and referee and we are proud to record that you were an outstanding and accomplished sportsman, and that you had the honour of achieving many successes in these fields, adding lustre to our native pastimes.”

And now sixteen months after these words were spoken at Ardee in his honour, Thomas de Burca of Drogheda is no longer with us. He passed to his eternal reward at the Cottage Hospital, Drogheda, after an illness of little more than a week.

Tom Burke, for more than half a century, was one of the pillars of the Gaelic Athletic Association in Louth, and outside of it. At various junctures, he had held the posts of chairman and secretary of the County Board, and some years ago, in recognition of his services, he was unanimously elected as Hon. President. Last December’s County Convention in St. Mary’s College Dundalk, over which he presided for part of the time, was his 55th.

Footballer, hurler, athlete, referee, legislator, soldier, public representative, historian . . . Tom Burke took them all in his stride. As one chronicler so well said of him a few years ago: “A man with a lively mind and wonderfully detailed memory of the early years of the Irish Volunteers, he was, like most G.A.A. men of his time, deep in the national movement. To him—as to others—the G.A.A. was simply one facet of a national resurgence that flowed into all departments of life in those days. Drilling and football, learning Irish songs, dancing or reading Irish literature “, were all part of the way of life of the young people of his time.” Yes indeed, in the rapidly thinning ranks there remained few with such colourful background as Tom Burke.

Following his arrest, he made a circuit of British Jails, including Frongoch Camp, where he captained a Louth team that played Kerry in what must be regarded as one of the strangest games played since the birth of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

A man who knew no fear, he promptly rejoined the 3rd Northern Brigade on his release only to find himself quickly locked up again, this time in Ireland, including Dublin Castle, Arbour Hill, Dundalk, Millmount (Drogheda) and the Curragh (1921).

As a Sinn Feiner, he later served as Alderman member of Drogheda Corporation.

When not engaged (one wav or another) on the football field, Tom Burke gave a lot of his leisure youth to sprinting, winning many important events from the 100 yds to 440 distances. The furlong was his speciality .

But it was in the G.A.A. that he found most scope for his many talents. He gave yeoman service to Tredaghs in their heyday, and later assisted Stars and Wolfe Tones, garnering several Louth championship medals in the process.

At inter-county level, he will also be always regarded as one of the ‘greats.’ Selected for the Tailjbeann Games in 1924, he stood down because of his political views.

Some years later, however, he had the honour of refereeing in such a match, and in the following years his services were very much in demand as a Knight of the Whistle.

He handled a number of All-Ireland contests, including the first final for which the Sam Maguire Cup was at stake.

He was also the man in the middle in a tournament match between Dublin and Kerry at Croke Park when the ball was dropped from an aeroplane for the start.

In .later life, Mr. Burke became one of the outstanding figures at Co. Board level in the same mould as men such as Charlie McAllister, Andy Rogers, Paddy Duffy Joe Ward, Fr. Larry Murray, and others.

His succinct views on matters of the day affecting the workings of the organisation he loved, oft made great impact at annual Congress, and were as much appreciated at other levels. He was indeed as stated in the presentation address at Ardee last year (for: the 1916 Commemoration Ceremonies) ’a wise and zealous administrator with great experience at club, county, provincial and * national level’ .

“The address continued: “Your repeated choice down through the years to the offlcership’ board of our Co. Committee bears impressive proof of your loyalty, sincerity, courtesy and .efficiency.” Earlier on that famous occasion, the 1916 Proclaimation was read by Tomas de Burca.

The remains were removed on the Sunday evening to St. Mary’s Church, Drogheda, and Office and Solemn Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul was celebrated bv Rev. M. Deegan, C.C., St. Mary’s, on Monday morning. He was assisted by Very Rev. J. Johnson, P.P., St. Mary’s ; Very Rev. P Ryan, P.P., Duleek; Rev. p Adams, C.C., St. Mary’s ; Rev. Fr Monaghan. S.M., Dundalk; Rev Fr. Quigley, S.M., do; Rev. Fr Downey, Tallanstown, and Rev. Fr Daly, St. Finian’s College, Mullingar.

Officers of the Louth Co. Board formed a guard of honour. They were Seamus Flood, John Dixon, Nicholas Marry. James Mullen, James J. Matthews, Peadar Kearney, Sean Murray, Mattie Seagravo Brendan Breathnach and Jack Carr.

The Co. Manager, Mr. J. L. MacKell ; Mr. Padraig Faulkner, T.D., Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Gaeltacht, Deputy P. S. Donegan ; the Mayor, Colr. P. Carr, and Ald. J. Whelan attended the funeral.

Other representatives of the G.A.A. present were Sean O Siochaln, Ard Runai ; Bob Freeman (Dublin) ; Paddy Flanagan and Matt Slevin ( Westmeath).

The late Mr. Burke is survived by Mrs. Eileen Burke (widow) : Aidan P. Burke, Thomas C. Burke (sons) ; Mrs. Mairead Mac Donald (daughter) ; Mr. Joseph Burke (brother) ; Miss Christina Burke (sister); Mr. Hugh Crilly (brotherin-law); Mrs. Aidan P. Burke, Mrs. Thomas C. Burke (daughters-inlaw) ; Mr. Marcus S. Mac Donald (son-in-law) ; Yvonne, Senan and Tom Burke, Elizabeth and Randal Mac Donald (grandchildren). Other relatives: The Farrell Family (George’s St.) ; Mr. and Mrs. John V. Farrell (North Road) ; Mr. and Mrs. Dermot Reilly, John, Dermot and Esmonde Reilly and Mr. John P O’Reilly (Dublin) : Mr. Frank Comber (do) ; Mrs. M. Burns and Mr. Jim Burns (Navan) ; Mr. Wm. Crilly, Mr. Richard Crilly, Mr. Thomas Crilly, Miss Susan Crillv (Black Bull) and Mr. Michael Culligan (Dublin). .

Mr. Bernard Markey, St. Mary’s, suggested that the Executive Committee of the County Board should examine how best Tom Burke’s memory could be perpetuated in Louth, “because I don’t think we will see his like again. Perhaps the Committee of the Drogheda Grounds would name the venue after him.’