A Championship win that resonates beyond the scoreboard

Thu, 21st December 2023

By Rory Merriman

Seeking redemption in the Intermediate Championship this year having lost to Naomh Mearnóg in the Semi-final the year previous, Fingallians Intermediate hurlers took on St. Vincents in Parnell Park in October...victorious this time.

Driven not only by their longstanding desire for a championship title, a profound sense of loss played an added determination and purpose in their victory.

Following the passing of a beloved club member Tommy Howard, Fingallians set out seeking triumph in honour of the cherished memory of a club legend.

Tommy Howard passed away on July 4th of 2023.

Tommy was a prominent figure in Fingallians GAA, described by his son TJ as a “Big Character in the club and a popular man in the club bar.”

Following his diagnosis in November 2022, the 53-year-old battled with Lung cancer for 8 months before passing away in July.

“A huge club man who would be on the sideline of any club game. Watching GAA over soccer any day of the week,” Tommy’s son TJ Howard (25) told Dublin GAA.

Following the final whistle of their victory over St. Vincents, Fingallians left Parnell Park that evening to celebrate their 4-17 to 3-10 victory as any club does.

“Before going anywhere after the game, our captain suggested that we take a trip up to my dad’s grave,” said TJ.

The Dublin 17 side made their way to Tommy Howard’s grave site to celebrate Fingallians’ trophy and silverware with a man who would have given everything to do so himself.

“Our manager said a prayer for him and that’s when we got the photo. It was really great. We went out and celebrated for the night then,” TJ laughed.

The Fingallians Intermediate hurlers' triumphant victory in the Intermediate Championship resonates beyond the scoreboard, embodying the spirit of Tommy Howard, a beloved club member lost to lung cancer in July 2023.

His enduring presence, celebrated at his grave post-match, illustrates the profound impact individuals like Tommy have, making every triumph a tribute to their enduring legacy within the GAA community.