Tom Browne

Tom Browne

1943 at St Mary’s College on the first St Mary’s team to get to the final of the school’s LSC. On the same team were Paddy Bolger, Joe Murray and the Irish sprint champion Jimmy Reardon. They lost a man early on (no subs allowed) and played most of the game with fourteen men. They were beaten by Rock 9-6 (3 points for a try) and Aidan (later Fr) Lehane was on the Rock team.

Left school 1945 and played for nearly ten years on the junior teams, 2nds and 3rds as hooker and prop until a shoulder injury finished his rugby career, but he played a further 4-5 years hockey with Glennane and then played some tennis. He has always stayed a St Mary’s man and has been active as manager selector and member of the rugby committee for the past 30 years, going to matches in sun and snow all over the province often selecting and supporting teams in places where few other selectors would go. He will still attend the selection meetings and offer advice and support in the process.

He has an innate love of Marys. He is a founding member of the Monday night Club and has helped to keep Cidona in existence.

His friendship and club working partnership with the late Tom Holmes was admirable. He is widely admired and liked and is a credit to his club in all respects.