Dick Moloney helped sow the seeds of Ardfinnan's golden era of football success in Tipperary

The recent passing of Dick Moloney severs another link with the Ardfinnan Gaelic football team of the 1950s and early 1960s.

Dick Moloney was born in 1933 and attended national school in Ardfinnan, where his love of football was fostered in the school playground.

Dick, who lived in Main Street, first wore the school colours in 1945 when he enjoyed early success when Ardfinnan NS won the prestigious Dr Naughton Cup in 1945.

He graduated onto the Ardfinnan club’s junior team and was a member of the panel that won the County Junior Championship in 1954.

In the 1950s, with Dick now playing at senior level, success for the club proved elusive but they did win the 1957 Tipperaryman’s cup in 1958, with Dick lining out in the semi-final victory over Kilsheelan.

After being defeated in the 1960 South final Dick, together with his brother, the late Billy Boy Moloney, would be part of the club’s historic breakthrough in bridging a 22-year gap by winning the South Tipperary title, which was the beginning of the club’s golden era.

When he retired from the game, he continued to follow the club’s fortunes and also attended the club’s social events.

Dick spent his working life in Ardfinnan, first with Ardfinnan Woollen Mills and around 1960 he moved to Patsy Myles’ farm, which supplied milk to the village and surrounding area at that time. Patsy was also his teammate on the field and they were lifelong friends.

Dick’s other interests included card playing, and he was a regular player at Luke Hally’s Sunday night games.

His other interest was greyhound racing, which he attended each Monday and Thursday night in Clonmel dog track with his late brother Billy and a few of his former teammates.

He married Madge Moloney in 1964 in Ardfinnan Church and they reared six children together. Dick and the family suffered a major blow with the passing of his beloved wife Madge in November 2017.

When we recall his life, he will be remembered as a great family man, a through gentleman who was respected by all on and off the GAA fields, and someone who helped sow the seeds of the success that followed with his contribution to Ardfinnan GAA Club.

Dick passed away peacefully at his home on Friday January 12. Requiem Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Holy Family, Ardfinnan, followed by a cremation service at the Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy, Cork.

The Ardfinnan club extends its deepest sympathy to his sons and daughters, Liam, Deirdre, Helen, Karen, Colette and Alan, his brother Tom, sisters Peg and Eileen, and extended family and friends.

May he rest in peace.