I’ll always cherish my memories of the late Tom Neville

WHILE THE county basked in county final weekend and oozed with excitement, before the games got off the ground a real sadness enveloped Wexford when news of the passing of that hurling legend, Tom Neville, spread on Friday night.

Despite the weekend that was in it, one could not let it pass without remembering the achievements of that great defender, a man who contributed so much to Wexford hurling both on an off the pitch.

He appeared in five All-Ireland finals, winning two, and also in three National League finals, in a golden era of Wexford hurling through the sixties.

Looking back on those years, one can recall many memories of the Fethard-on-Sea native, who was one of the longest-serving defenders of his era. Strangely when looking back, one can recall that Tom came ever so close to missing out on 1968 glory.

As Wexford basked in their new status of All-Ireland champions, there was one player who gained extra satisfaction from that triumph over Tipperary, and that was Tom Neville who, seven months earlier, had no thoughts, or indeed hopes, of being the proud possessor of a second All-Ireland medal.

In February of that year, Tom made up his mind to retire from inter-county hurling.

His decision was taken after he had briefly returned to the game earlier in the year, following a six-month absence as a result of a facial injury the previous summer.

He played against Kilkenny in a National League tie in early February, but then withdrew from the team due to play Tipperary in New Ross a few weeks later.

At the time, Tom said: ‘I have decided it’s time to make way for some of the promising young players we have in the county. They can be introduced into the team in the remaining league games.’

It was a typically sporting attitude by a man who had graced the inter-county scene with distinction for several years. But it was not one that the Wexford selectors, or his fellow players, were prepared to accept without demur.

So a deputation, led by then County Secretary, Paddy Roche, one of Wexford’s finest officers, and representative of County Board officials and players alike, visited this native of Fethard-on-Sea in Carlow where he resided.

Their main argument was that Tom’s experience and defensive talents were needed because of the team-building operation that was being carried out.

After a good deal of persuasive discussion, they got Tom to renounce his decision to retire, and he returned to the team for the league game against Waterford in early March.

Following that decision he went on to become a valued member of the Wexford defence, and many inter-county forwards were left to frown on his decision to once again don the purple and gold.

As for Tom’s ability on the playing pitches, he was one of the most respected defenders in the game.

When he subsequently retired, he went on to take his playing and management skills to another level, becoming a most successful manager and coach both on the inter-county and club scenes.

It’s true to say that Tom always had a wonderful relationship with the media both at local and national level and fully believed in transparency, with no behind closed doors discussions or decisions, as he was always frank and true, particularly towards the local media.

One of my finest memories as a local journalist goes back to a National League game down in Limerick.

This was a time when a journalist visited the dressing-rooms even at inter-county level to get an update on the respective line-outs.

I was met by County Secretary, Paddy Roche and, rather than deal with queries outside, was brought into the sanctum of the dressing-room to check the line-out.

Then manager Tom was about to talk to the players when he turned around with his opening delivery: ‘Sit down there Brendan while I talk to these lads, and then I’ll speak with you.’

I took my seat in the corner beside another fine corner-back, Teddy O’Connor, and listened attentively as Tom delivered his oration. ‘That’s that, Brendan, now I’ll update you,’ he finished.

That was the G.A.A. in those days. I have great memories of Tom both as a player and person, memories I will always cherish. He was Wexford’s finest both on and off the pitch.