Gentleman Tom was teak-tough defender
Fethard native won two All-Irelands
THE DEATH has occurred of one of Wexford’s finest defenders, Tom Neville, who passed away on Friday.
A native of Fethard-on-Sea, Tom had the remarkable record of appearing in five All-Ireland Senior hurling finals, winning two, in 1960 and 1968, both against Tipperary, while he lost finals to the Premier county in 1962 and ‘65, as well as to Cork in 1970.
He also featured in three National League finals, starting with the 1963-’64 loss to Tipperary, before winning that title in 1966-’67 by defeating Kilkenny in final, while he lost out to Cork in 1968-’69.
In all he made 28 championship appearances for Wexford in a career spanning from 1960 to 1972.
The teak-tough defender, who matched his no-nonsense approach with his hurling skill, won his solitary county Senior hurling championship medal with New Ross town side, Geraldine O’Hanrahans, in 1966.
Tom went on to manage Wexford at Senior level, bringing them to the 1976 All-Ireland final, before also managing Oulart-The Ballagh to their first Senior hurling title in 1994, helping them to further titles in 1995 and 1997.
He also brought his managerial talents to the home of hurling when he guided Kilkenny club side, St. Martin’s, to All-Ireland glory in 1985.
Almost an unknown in 1960 when he starred in his side’s All-Ireland victory, Fethard-on-Sea born Tom, who played his club hurling with Geraldine O’Hanrahans, went on to become a household name on the hurling fields which led to him becoming a regular member of the Wexford side, captaining the Model county to their final defeat to Tipperary in 1965 from the centre-back position.
After learning his hurling at that great nursery, St. Peter’s College, the economy of his hurling served as a role model for all corner-backs that followed in the purple and gold right down to club level.
As daring as he was efficient, he was also a footballer of outstanding merit. He enjoyed a spell of four years on the St. Peter’s College Senior hurling team and was a Wexford Minor in 1956 and 1957.
Tom was equally at home at corner-back or in the middle of defence, also playing at full-back and centre-back.
Even in the days when Wexford were not blazing the hurling trail, Tom was an automatic selection on Leinster hurling teams for the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition that in those days attracted more than 30,000 to games.
He was always at his best when the tide was turning against the teams he played for, and he was looked upon as a corner-back who protected his ‘keeper during a period when it was perfectly legal to challenge the netminder under the dropping ball.
He was an inspiration on the fringe of the square, with his defensive qualities leading to the netminder constantly plucking high balls from over the heads of backs and forwards, such was the protection afford by Neville and company.
There was always a heart-warming defiance about his hurling and he was always regarded as one of the finest corner-backs to represent Wexford, right up there beside the great Bobby Rackard, and no better tribute could be paid to the first-rate defender.
He won new ratings after helping Wexford to that dramatic 1960 All-Ireland final, going on to consistently deliver for both county and club during what best could be described as a glorious career.
When his playing days were over he took up the role of management, guiding his beloved Wexford to All-Ireland final defeat to Cork in 1976, while continuing to manage the side through what could be described as some bleak years, but he always had his teams competitive and only a stroke of the ball denied them some famous victories.
He could best be described as the man who brought Oulart-The Ballagh from also rans to county Senior hurling title winners, lifting the club to county championship glory, with the small rural outfit going on to become a dominant force in Wexford hurling.
Although residing in Carlow, Tom continued to follow Wexford hurling both at club and inter-county level and was a regular attender at games throughout the country. His love of hurling knew no end, while he also represented his county at football with much distinction.
When news of Tom’s passing at Aut Even hospital in Kilkenny on Friday evening swept across the county, there was much sadness at the death of a Wexford hurling legend.
His contribution to Wexford hurling both on and off the pitch will never be forgotten.
Tom was laid to rest on Monday. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam.