‘Record-breaking’ Tommy Leahy steps away from CDSL Executive

*Tommy Leahy. Photograph: Natasha Barton

A RUAN NATIVE who was only the second Clare man to serve as Chairman of the Munster Football Association has departed his role on the County Executive.

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Leahy in June 2018 became only the second Clare man to be elected Chairman of the Munster FA, the only other individual from the Banner county to serve in the role ironically was his father Michael who was appointed to the post in 2008.

At Friday’s Annual General Meeting of the Clare District Soccer League (CDSL), Tommy stepped down from as one of the CDSL’s Munster FA Delegates ending a decade long-stint on the county committee.

Addressing delegates in his final report, Leahy acknowledged it was “great to see” both Ennis Town FC and Tulla Utd reach the U19 provincial semi-finals with Ennis Town making the decider in Turners Cross in the Munster FA’s centenary year. “I’ve over ten years done, I always said it would be nice to see a Clare team win a Munster title, we haven’t seen it yet but we’re getting closer”.

Tommy paid tribute to all the officers he has served alongside at county and provincial levels during the past decade, “everyone works hard and I would like to thank ye all for your efforts, I’ve made some friends for life”.

Annual support from clubs to elect him to the role was also referenced by the Ennis resident. “I broke a record as the longest-serving Chairman of Munster, I was there for three years, because of COVID,” he quipped.

He stressed the importance of newly elected delegates Mickey Guilfoyle and Donal Magee having an active presence. “There is a lot of time going up and down to Cork to meetings but get known and get out there, it is important to be at the meetings”. Tommy noted that upcoming seats on the FAI’s General Munster would soon be coming from Munster, “it is important to have our voice heard in Munster, the role has to be taken seriously”.

Munster FA administrator, Barry Cotter paid a special thanks to the former provincial chairman at the AGM. “He was a fantastic chairman of Munster FA, he will be sorely missed”.