Tom Lyons

Tom Lyons recalls his experiences of the GAA in west Cork. A native of Dunmanway, he grew up in an area where football was the popular sport. At primary school he played in tournaments and he later joined the local GAA club, Doheny. He went to boarding school at Coláiste Íosagáin in Baile Mhuirne in Cork and played football with the team there. He then trained as a teacher at St Pat's in Dublin and was introduced to a wide range of sports, which he enjoyed. He later settled in Clonakilty, where he got a job teaching. He joined the local club and was heavily involved in the GAA scene. He wrote a column on Gaelic games for the local newspaper, worked as an administrator, wrote a history of Clonakilty GAA and became a referee. Tom shares his opinions on issues like player power within the Association, the vulnerability of hurling, and what he sees as the gradual shift of the GAA away from its roots. Throughout his account he tells stories of things that happened that are unique to his own experiences and offer an insight into the weird and wonderful world of the GAA.