RIP Tommy Cullen 1939-2020 - One of the all time greats

Post date: Oct 06, 2020 3:39:19 PM

It is with deep sadness the club learned of the sad passing of former Edenderry and Offaly footballer and hurler Tommy Cullen (81).

Tommy was highly regarded as one of Edenderry's finest and toughest ever footballers and in 2011 he was named at left half forward on Edenderry's 'Best 15' as voted for by supporters alongside his son Finbarr who was named at centre back.

While still a minor, Tommy won a senior county medal in 1957 as Edenderry beat Clara while also playing for Offaly minors in both the Leinster football and hurling finals that year.

It is sixty three years to the day (6/10/57) since Tommy made his debut in the green white and gold of Offaly as he played in the National League vs Louth wearing the number 15 jersey at just 18 years old. The following May, 1958, Tommy made his championship debut in a 7-8 2-5 victory over neighbours Laois which was followed up by a memorable one point victory over Kildare 2-9 2-8 before losing out to Louth.

The infamous Offaly breakthrough came in 1960 when Offaly won their first ever Leinster championship and Tommy starred at full forward in the semi final victory over Dublin 3-9 0-9. Following a Leinster final win over Louth, Offaly faced off against Down and it took a replay to separate the sides, but unfortunately it was Down's day as they went on to win Sam Maguire beating Kerry in the final.

The following year Offaly did go on better as they beat Roscommon in the All-Ireland semi final but once again they were thwarted by Down and cruelly lost the All-Ireland final by one point, 2-8 3-6.

He continued to line out for Offaly until June 1968 and in total he represented the Faithful county on 58 occasions, 23 times in the championship and 35 times in the league.

Back at the club scene, Tommy played a role in Edenderry's rise to the senior ranks of Offaly hurling as they captured the junior championship in 1962 and the intermediate championship the following year in 1963.

Following his retirement from the game Tommy stayed involved in many different capacities over the years serving both the club committee and as selector on many teams, including the 1985 senior football team that bridged a twenty eight year gap since the 1957 victory that Tommy played in.

Thankfully for Edenderry GAA Tommy passed on his sporting prowess to his children with his son Finbarr highly regarded as one of if not Edenderry's greatest ever player, capturing four senior football medals (one as captain) as well as captaining Offaly to Leinster glory in 1997, a National league title in 1998 and representing Ireland in the International rules series vs Australia. Following in her father and older brothers footsteps, Orla was also an inspirational leader in her time playing for the reds and captained Edenderry to a senior football title in 2010 as well as a Leinster title, the only team in the club history to do so.

(The late Tommy cullen pictured along with the late Mick Brady in 2011)

Everyone at Edenderry GAA extends their deepest sympathy to the Cullen family on Tommy's passing, his loving wife Mary, sons Pat, Finbarr and Thomas, daughters Neasa, Orla and Siobhan.

Ar Dheis Dé go raibh an ainm dilis.