Tipperary soccer leader retires after over 50 years of service
Running the league was embedded in his system
After over fifty years at the helm of grassroots football in South Tipperary, Tom Lewis steps down. Not alone did he serve as Honorary Secretary of the Tipperary Southern & District League for all those years, he also occupied key positions at Provincial and National level within the Munster Football Association and Football Association of Ireland.
Tom’s introduction to soccer in 1972 came through a routine hair-cut appointment. Having never kicked a football, his interest developed through his friendship with Tony Cusse, a barber and Honorary Secretary of well-known Tipperary Town Soccer club, St.Michaels. Short of committee personnel, Tony persuaded Tom to come to a meeting. Tom Lewis quickly picked up interest and within a short time took over as Honorary Treasurer of St.Michaels. A new era of optimism spread through the Tipperary Town club. Favoured with an excellent team, St.Michaels extensive roll of honours by perfect management on and off the field saw Provincial and National honours come their way. The good times were just beginning.
Realising soccer in Tipperary was badly organised, Tom and several other enthusiasts, among them Liam Delahunty, Peter O’Reilly and Richard Power, decided in 1977 to begin a Tipperary Southern & District League. Its introduction had a humble beginning. At this time the bigger clubs were competing in outside leagues, Clonmel Town in the Munster Senior League, St.Michaels in the Cork Athletic Union League, Peake Villa in the Kilkenny League and Cahir Park in the Limerick League. These teams, wary of the new set-up, continued to play in outside leagues as they felt they were more organised and provided better opposition. Within five years the TSDL had established itself as a very well ran league and all four teams returned to Tipperary football. They saw the exceptional organization skills of Tom Lewis and were glad to return to the fold.
By now Tom’s talent was recognized further afield and he was elected to the Munster Football Association. Here his talent impressed the personnel of the Provincial governing body and they appointed him to represent them on several committees within the Football Association of Ireland. Sitting on important committees at Headquarters for over thirty years, Tom quickly made his mark. Always an advocate of grassroots football, he could not understand why most committees were totally comprised of Dublin personnel. Provincial leagues received little recognition. This stark reality was vividly illustrated on many issues which he tackled. His persistence at fighting for fairer administration paid off and he eventually won a seat on the F.A.I. Junior Council, the first provincial member on the sixteen man committee. Promotion to F.A.I. Senior Council followed, serving on finance, youth and domestic sections. During his time on Senior Council he was entitled to trips abroad with international teams but declined, not an enthusiast of the blazer brigade. Tom never had a passport, preferring to stay at home and exert all energy locally.
Tom set about breaking the mould of Dublin dominance. His fight for Provincial recognition was long and hard but he succeeded in securing positions for many rural legislators, also securing many concessions for rural clubs. He broke the mould of Dublin dominance on the field which saw many rural players win recognition at junior and amateur international level. It was no surprise he rose to the highest positions in both Munster FA and F.A.I. He was President of Munster Football Association from 1997 to 2000 and followed this by becoming President of the Football Association of Ireland Junior Council from 2000 to 2003. He was subsequently made an Honorary Life Member of the Football Association of Ireland for his contribution to football.
Despite heavily involved at Headquarters he never forgot his roots within St.Michaels and the Tipperary Southern & District League. The TSDL was recognized as the most efficiently run in the country. Its teams responded on the field and it saw every honour available to junior football come to clubs within the TSDL at all levels, both youth and junior, not once, but repeatedly. Off the field the TSDL also thrived and has contributed large amounts of money to its clubs to improve grounds and facilities. Tom ran the league like clockwork. For over forty years Tommy was ably assisted by an excellent Honorary Treasurer, Richard Power. Year after year they sat at meetings, long into the night, ensuring the smooth operation of the TSDL. Richard’s interest stemmed from his association with his beloved Ballymac F.C. in the late sixties/ early seventies. Taking over as Honorary Treasurer of the TSDL in 1978 with a paltry £64, he managed the funds with extraordinary care through the decades. Thanks to both these mens’ efficiency and dedication almost four hundred thousand euro has been given to TSDL clubs through grants, with much more finance given as low interest loans. Most clubs under their jurisdiction now have top class facilities thanks in no small way to the excellent management of the TSDL. For years they ensured everything was ship shape and soccer in South Tipperary thrived under their stewardship. They stuck rigidly to proper and correct procedures, sometimes tough, always fair. Of course, there were other members of management who have given long hours sitting on the Board, adding to its efficiency and smooth running. I refer, in particular, to two long serving members who rarely missed a meeting over many years, Mickey Halpin and Christy Alyward, both of whom served as registrars before computerisation. It is well to remember these and many more Board members gave of their time voluntarily, long hours through summer and winter nights, all for the good of promoting soccer in South Tipperary.
Alas, time waits for nobody. Fifty years at the helm is a long time ensuring those interested in soccer in South Tipperary were in good hands, enjoyed their sport and created so many happy memories through several generations over the years. In 2024 Richard Power retired after so many seasons of extraordinary service. Last year saw Christy Aylward call time and earlier this season Mickey Halpin had to retire due to health reasons. Tom Lewis continued, reluctant to walk away. Running the league was embedded in his system, his sheer dedication of 24/7 attention all year, every year for over fifty years. And all done so quietly, no personal publicity, no interviews, very rare photographs, no computer, no smartphone, no monetary reward, shy of accolades. A very private man, a dedicated family man to lovely wife, Mary, and three wonderful now grown up children, Elizabeth, Joanne and John. Despite his dedication to TSDL, family always came first. Time has caught up with him as he reluctantly steps down and bids farewell to his beloved Tipperary Southern & District League. It just will not be the same without him. He will be long remembered – perhaps the best sport legislator this county has ever produced.
Tom Lewis officially retired as Honorary Secretary of the Tipperary Southern & District League at its annual general meeting on June 23rd. With 100% attendance of all clubs within the TSDL glowing tributes were paid to him. Surprise attendees were the Chairman and Secretary of the Munster Football Association, Mr. Lesley Doyle and Barry Cotter. They presented Tom with a beautifully inscribed silver tray in recognition of his many years serving grassroots football. Acting Honorary Secretary of the TSDL, Gay Lowry, gave a detailed and emotional history of Tom’s involvement through over fifty years. They had soldiered together through the many phases over the decades, stating together they started over fifty years ago and together they step down. Tom Lewis in reply gave an emotional farewell speech. He stated how he enjoyed the years and was glad soccer was in a better place as a result of his efforts. He thanked the many club secretaries he got to know and pointed out secretaries were the lifeblood of every club, doing the hard work, ensuring all was in order on and off the field. He paid special tribute to Richard Power. Admitting they did not always see eye to eye, he wanted to put on record the tremendous work he did as long time Treasurer. No league in the country has given so much finance to its clubs and that is a very proud record for which Richard deserves much credit.
The club delegates showed their appreciation, giving Tom a deserved, prolonged standing ovation.
It is time to hand over to a new Board who are wished well in continuing the outstanding work of Tom Lewis and his fellow retired legislators. Soccer in South Tipperary is now well established and respected and long may its success continue in the seasons ahead.
The new Board of Directors of the Tipperary Southern & District League for season 2026/2027 are as follows – Benny Tynan, Liam Clohessy, Davy Hassett, John Carew, Shane Ferris, Colm Lonergan, Darragh O’Brien, Tommy Finnan.