Tommy Daly
Encyclopedia
Dr. Tommy Daly was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
at various times with his local clubs Tulla
in Clare and Collegians
in Dublin. Daly also played hurling at inter-county level with both Clare
and Dublin
between 1917 and 1933. The GAA pitch is called Dr Daly Park which is named after him.
, County Clare
in 1894. He was educated locally and later attended University College Dublin
where he studied medicine. It was at UCD that Daly first tasted success on the hurling
field. He was the goalkeeper on the college team that captured the Fitzgibbon Cup
title in 1915. Daly won a further five Fitzgibbon Cup titles with the college in 1916, 1917, 1923, 1924 and 1927. After graduation he practiced medicine in London
and regularly returned home for hurling matches.
Dr. Tommy Daly died in a car accident in Tuamgraney
in 1936.
with his local club in Tulla
. After moving to Dublin he joined the local hurling club in UCD
. It was with the 'Collegians' that he enjoyed great success as he won three senior county titles in-a-row in 1917, 1918 and 1919. Daly returned to his own native club of Tulla in the early 1930s and captured a county title with that club in 1933.
junior hurling team. He won a Munster
title with that team in 1914. He later collected an All-Ireland
medal in that grade as Clare defeated Laois
to take the title.
After moving to UCD Daly became the regular goalkeeper on the Dublin
hurling team. He captured his first Leinster
title in 1917 following a victory over Kilkenny
. The subsequent All-Ireland final piited 'the Dubs' against Tipperary
. Daly's team had come from nowhere and took on one of the giants of the championship. A 5-4 to 4-2 victory gave Dublin the victory and gave Daly his first All-Ireland
medal.
Dublin surrendered their provincial crown in 1918, however, Kilkenny fell to 'the Dubs' again in 1919 giving Daly his second Leinster medal. Cork provided the ooposition on that occasion, however,the Munster champions emerged victorious by 6-4 to 2-4.
Dublin retained their provincial title in 1920, however, Daly played no part in the Leinster final. He returned to his goalkeeping berth for the subsequent All-Ireland final. The game was a replay of the previous year's encounter as Cork provided the opposition once again. Cork looked to be heading for victory, however, a four-goal blitz by Dublin sealed the 4-9 to 4-3 victory and gave Daly a second All-Ireland medal.
1921 saw Daly add a third Leinster momento to his collection before lining out in yet another All-Ireland final. Limerick
were the opponents on that occasion, however, the game was not a memorable one for Daly. The score line of 8-5 to 3-2 resulted in a comprehensive victory for Limerick.
Dublin surrendered their provincial crown for the next two years, however, Daly collected a fourth Leinster title in 1924 as Offaly
fell in the deciding game. The All-Ireland championship decider pitted Dublin against Galway
and an exciting game unfolded. Galway, the reigning champions, took the lead, however, 'the Dubs' fough back and won the game by 5-3 to 2-6. Daly had captured his third All-Ireland title and Frank Wall
, the Dublin captain, became the only man to accept the Liam McCarthy Cup
without having played in the final.
It would be 1927 before Daly won his fifth and final Leinster title. The All-Ireland final saw 'the Dubs' take on Cork once again. Cork, as reigning champions, were the favourites, however, a Dublin team that consisted of nine members of an Garda Síochána put up a strong defence. They led at half-time and held the lead until the end giving Daly his fourth All-Ireland medal.
In 1928 the rule preventing non-residents from playing with their native county was amended. Two years later in 1930 Daly was practicing medicine in London when he signed a non-residents declaration enabling him to play with Clare. That year he lined out in the Munster Championship
and even played in the provincial final. Tipperary were the victors on that occasion. Two years later in 1933 Daly was between the posts as Clare defeated Cork, giving him a Munster medal to his already impressive collection of hurling mementos. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Clare line out against Kilkenny. In a low-scoring but exciting game 'the Cats' emerged victorious on a score line of 3-3 to 2-3. This defeat brought the curtain down on Daly's inter-county career.
and Munster
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured his first Railway Cup medal with Leinster in 1927 in the inaugural year of the competition. In 1934 Daly was the goalkeeper on the Munster side as he collected a second Railway Cup title.
of games. In 1935 he took charge of the All-Ireland hurling final between Kilkenny and Limerick.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
at various times with his local clubs Tulla
Tulla GAA
Tulla GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Tulla, County Clare, Ireland. It is affiliated with Clare county board.-Achievements:* Clare Senior Hurling Championship Winners 1889, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1913, 1933, 2007...
in Clare and Collegians
UCD GAA
UCD GAA or University College Dublin Gaelic Athletic Association club is a Dublin based Gaelic games club in University College Dublin. The UCD hurling club was founded in 1900 and boasted the motto's "Ad Astra" and "Cothrom Féinne". The first team was an amalgamation of students from UCD and...
in Dublin. Daly also played hurling at inter-county level with both Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
and Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
between 1917 and 1933. The GAA pitch is called Dr Daly Park which is named after him.
Biography
Tommy Daly was born in TullaTulla
Tulla is a town in County Clare, Ireland. The town is the commercial centre for Tulla parish and the surrounding area. Tulla church was founded about 620 by Mochuille and the town received its town charter in the 13th century...
, County Clare
County Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
in 1894. He was educated locally and later attended University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
where he studied medicine. It was at UCD that Daly first tasted success on the hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
field. He was the goalkeeper on the college team that captured the Fitzgibbon Cup
Fitzgibbon Cup
The Fitzgibbon Cup the championship for top division of university hurling in Ireland. It is administrated by the Higher Education committee which is part of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
title in 1915. Daly won a further five Fitzgibbon Cup titles with the college in 1916, 1917, 1923, 1924 and 1927. After graduation he practiced medicine in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and regularly returned home for hurling matches.
Dr. Tommy Daly died in a car accident in Tuamgraney
Tuamgraney
Tuamgraney is a village in eastern County Clare in the west of Ireland. Situated on the River Graney which flows into Lough Derg, it is an ancient settlement, noted for St Cronin's church, said to be the oldest church in constant use in Ireland....
in 1936.
Club
Daly played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club in Tulla
Tulla GAA
Tulla GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Tulla, County Clare, Ireland. It is affiliated with Clare county board.-Achievements:* Clare Senior Hurling Championship Winners 1889, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1913, 1933, 2007...
. After moving to Dublin he joined the local hurling club in UCD
UCD GAA
UCD GAA or University College Dublin Gaelic Athletic Association club is a Dublin based Gaelic games club in University College Dublin. The UCD hurling club was founded in 1900 and boasted the motto's "Ad Astra" and "Cothrom Féinne". The first team was an amalgamation of students from UCD and...
. It was with the 'Collegians' that he enjoyed great success as he won three senior county titles in-a-row in 1917, 1918 and 1919. Daly returned to his own native club of Tulla in the early 1930s and captured a county title with that club in 1933.
Inter-county
Daly first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the ClareClare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
junior hurling team. He won a Munster
Munster Junior Hurling Championship
The Munster Junior Hurling Championship is a junior "knockout" competition in the game of Hurling played in the province of Munster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Munster Council....
title with that team in 1914. He later collected an All-Ireland
All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship
The All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship was a hurling competition organized by the Gaelic Athletic Association in Ireland. The competition was originally contested by the second teams of the strong counties, and the first teams of the weaker counties...
medal in that grade as Clare defeated Laois
Laois GAA
The Laois County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Laois GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Laois and the Laois inter-county teams.-History:...
to take the title.
After moving to UCD Daly became the regular goalkeeper on the Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
hurling team. He captured his first Leinster
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
title in 1917 following a victory over Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
. The subsequent All-Ireland final piited 'the Dubs' against Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
. Daly's team had come from nowhere and took on one of the giants of the championship. A 5-4 to 4-2 victory gave Dublin the victory and gave Daly his first All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal.
Dublin surrendered their provincial crown in 1918, however, Kilkenny fell to 'the Dubs' again in 1919 giving Daly his second Leinster medal. Cork provided the ooposition on that occasion, however,the Munster champions emerged victorious by 6-4 to 2-4.
Dublin retained their provincial title in 1920, however, Daly played no part in the Leinster final. He returned to his goalkeeping berth for the subsequent All-Ireland final. The game was a replay of the previous year's encounter as Cork provided the opposition once again. Cork looked to be heading for victory, however, a four-goal blitz by Dublin sealed the 4-9 to 4-3 victory and gave Daly a second All-Ireland medal.
1921 saw Daly add a third Leinster momento to his collection before lining out in yet another All-Ireland final. Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
were the opponents on that occasion, however, the game was not a memorable one for Daly. The score line of 8-5 to 3-2 resulted in a comprehensive victory for Limerick.
Dublin surrendered their provincial crown for the next two years, however, Daly collected a fourth Leinster title in 1924 as Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
fell in the deciding game. The All-Ireland championship decider pitted Dublin against Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
and an exciting game unfolded. Galway, the reigning champions, took the lead, however, 'the Dubs' fough back and won the game by 5-3 to 2-6. Daly had captured his third All-Ireland title and Frank Wall
Frank Wall
Frank Wall was a physician and herpetologist who lived in Sri Lanka and India.Wall was born in Colombo, Ceylon . His father worked there and was responsible for initiating the study of natural history on the island. Wall studied medicine in London and joined the Indian Medical Service in 1893...
, the Dublin captain, became the only man to accept the Liam McCarthy Cup
Liam McCarthy Cup
The MacCarthy Perpetual Challenge Cup is a trophy awarded annually by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the hurling team that wins the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.-The trophy:...
without having played in the final.
It would be 1927 before Daly won his fifth and final Leinster title. The All-Ireland final saw 'the Dubs' take on Cork once again. Cork, as reigning champions, were the favourites, however, a Dublin team that consisted of nine members of an Garda Síochána put up a strong defence. They led at half-time and held the lead until the end giving Daly his fourth All-Ireland medal.
In 1928 the rule preventing non-residents from playing with their native county was amended. Two years later in 1930 Daly was practicing medicine in London when he signed a non-residents declaration enabling him to play with Clare. That year he lined out in the Munster Championship
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
and even played in the provincial final. Tipperary were the victors on that occasion. Two years later in 1933 Daly was between the posts as Clare defeated Cork, giving him a Munster medal to his already impressive collection of hurling mementos. The subsequent All-Ireland final saw Clare line out against Kilkenny. In a low-scoring but exciting game 'the Cats' emerged victorious on a score line of 3-3 to 2-3. This defeat brought the curtain down on Daly's inter-county career.
Provincial
Daly also lined out with both LeinsterLeinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
and Munster
Munster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He captured his first Railway Cup medal with Leinster in 1927 in the inaugural year of the competition. In 1934 Daly was the goalkeeper on the Munster side as he collected a second Railway Cup title.
Post-playing career
In retirement from playing Daly retained a keen interest in the game. Shortly after his retirement he became a highly-respected refereeReferee
A referee is the person of authority, in a variety of sports, who is responsible for presiding over the game from a neutral point of view and making on the fly decisions that enforce the rules of the sport...
of games. In 1935 he took charge of the All-Ireland hurling final between Kilkenny and Limerick.