2024 Munster GAA Awards – Hall of Fame winners announced:
Former Cork footballer Larry Tompkins and Clare legend Anthony Daly have been inducted into the Munster GAA Hall of Fame.
The pair, who gave decorated service to club and county, will be presented with their Hall of Fame awards at Saturday’s Munster GAA awards function in the Fota Island Resort.
The Handballer of the Year, Under 20 Footballer of the Year and Distinguished Service Award winner have also been confirmed.
Larry Tompkins – Hall of Fame Football
Mick O’Dwyer once described this year’s Hall of Fame recipient as ‘one of the best players ever to play Gaelic Football’, coming from a man of such stature in our games that is some statement.
His career began in his native Kildare with the Eadestown Club winning Junior and Intermediate County titles. As a 16 year old he was a member of the Kildare Minor team and also featured with the Under 21 side, winning a Leinster title in 1983 beating Louth in the Final.
By now he was well established on the Senior team, and regularly travelled back from New York where he was working to play with the Lily Whites. While still in New York struck up a friendship with members of the Collins Family from Castlehaven in County Cork, and as they say the rest is history.
Larry joined the ‘Haven in 1987 and two years later in 1989 they won their very first Cork County Senior title, they now have seven having retained the Andy Scannell Cup a short few weeks ago.
In all, Larry won 2 County Senior medals, 3 Munster Club titles, one year as the nominated team as Beara were County Champions, but the All-Ireland Club medal never came his way, 3 semi-final defeats a source of great disappointment.
Billy Morgan called Larry into the Cork panel in 1987, and it heralded a glorious and successful era for the Rebels, where an intense rivalry with Meath dominated the headlines.
Larry won 6 Munster Championship medals and of course 2 All-Ireland medals with the undoubted highlight of his career Captain of the winning team in 1990, I suppose fittingly beating Meath in the Final, the year of the famous double as Liam and Sam spent the year on Leeside.
Larry was also a National League Medal winner and was a 3 time All-Star recipient, before having been beset by injuries called time on his inter-county career in 1996.
Later that year he succeeded Billy Morgan as Cork Manager, guiding the team to a National League title and a Munster title in 1999 but the bid for a 2nd All-Ireland double came up short somewhat ironically when Meath triumphed in the Final.
In more recent years, Larry has been involved in coaching Bishopstown, where his son Jack is developing into a very promising player.
Larry Tompkins name will be forever linked to a glorious and successful era with Cork Football and his contribution will never be forgotten by the Rebel County supporters.
Anthony Daly – Hall of Fame Hurling
There are many iconic images that stir the senses when we think back to hurling’s revolution years of the 1990s. To the fore amongst them is Clare’s spiritual leader and captain Anthony Daly lifting the Liam MacCarthy and Munster Cup to signal the Banner County’s breakthrough to Hurling’s top table.
Born in 1969 to a proud hurling family in the famed Clarecastle, Daly won a Dr. Harty Cup and All-Ireland Colleges title with St. Flannan’s College in 1987. After coming to prominence at both college and club underage level he graduated through the ranks for Clare minors and Under 21s with no silverware but quickly established himself as a promising club defender with ‘the Magpies’ winning a first County Senior medal with Clarecastle in 1987. He would go on to win five County Senior Hurling medals in total and a Munster Club Championship title in 1997.
A very skilful and uncompromising wing-back on the field of play, Daly was also quickly identified for his determination and leadership in the Clare dressing room. In 1995, he famously captained the Banner to provincial glory versus Limerick, breaking a 63-year drought for the county and cementing his legacy as a key leader in Clare’s hurling’s renaissance. All-Ireland glory followed in the same year – who could ever forget his stirring “there’s been a missing person in Clare for eighty-one long years” speech on the steps of the Hogan Stand. Daly and his Clare side lit up the decade. The Liam MacCarthy was again won under his captaincy in 1997. His exploits from half back saw him become a three-time All-Star awardee in 1994, ‘95 and ‘98 and he lifted three Munster Senior Hurling Championship titles during his playing career in 1995, ‘97 and ’98.
Following his retirement, “Dalo” transitioned to management, where he achieved further success. At club level from his native Clarecastle to Kilmihil, Kilmoyley and Kilmacud – and at intercounty level where he inspired yet another hurling breakthrough and led the Dublin seniors to their first Allianz Hurling League title in 72 years in 2011 and their first Leinster title in 52 years in 2013. He was fingertips away from reaching the All-Ireland decider with Clare in 2005 amid a successful tenure as Clare manager from 2004 to 2006.
Anthony Daly remains a respected analyst and pundit, contributing to the development and promotion of hurling both within Clare and nationally.
Michael Hedigan & Daniel Relihan – Munster Handball Award
Michael Hedigan and Daniel Relihan are from Liscarroll Handball Club based in Cork.
Both have been accomplished Handballer’s through the years and are renowned as a formidable doubles pairing.
They have won all the way up from Juvenile grade to Adult grade. 2024 was an outstanding year for the pair.
It commenced early in the year when they reached the Senior Doubles 40×20 All-Ireland Final for the second year running. They defeated the reigning champions Diarmaid Nash and Colin Crehan (Clare) returning the trophy to Cork for the first time since 2001.
This was played in the new Handball centre in Croke Park, with Cork winning 17-21, 21-14, 11-10 in a game instantly recognised as a classic.
Later in the year they successfully defended the Senior 60×30 Hardball Doubles title when beating a strong Kilkenny pairing in the final.
The year was going well and all that was left to give them 3 Senior titles in the year was to defend their Munster and All-Ireland Senior Club title. Having won the club’s first title in 2023 they came through Munster and reached the final in Croke Park.
They had a massive win over Kells, Meath who have dominated this grade for many years.
Daniel and Micheal put a lot of work into their club with training underage players, refereeing games and helped with the upgrading of their facilities.
There is no doubt they have a bright future and are one of the most exciting doubles pairings to come out of Cork and Munster in the last number of years.
Cormac Dillon – Under 20 Footballer of the Year
Cormac Dillon has been a standout performer in the Under 20 category, earning the prestigious title of Under 20 Footballer of the Year.
Dillon’s remarkable skill set, including his ability to navigate tight defensive setups and deliver precise passes, has made him a crucial player for his team. His leadership on the field, combined with his tactical acumen, has enabled him to orchestrate play effectively, often acting as the catalyst for his team’s offensive manoeuvres.
Dillon’s season was marked by several key performances where he displayed his scoring ability and his vision to create opportunities for his teammates. His dedication to improving his game and his work ethic have been noted by coaches and peers alike. Dillon’s achievements this year reflect not only his individual talent but also his ability to inspire and elevate those around him, making him a deserving recipient of this award.
Pat Moore – Munster GAA Distinguished Service Award
On so many fronts, Pat Moore is a most deserving recipient of a Distinguished Service Award as he has given sterling service to the province for many years.
After his playing days with Éire Óg came to an end, he took up refereeing and officiated at many club and inter-county matches throughout Munster. He progressed to becoming a referee tutor and there hasn’t been a playing rule yet which he hasn’t mastered!
Many would leave it at that, but Pat has always been fascinated by and totally immersed in the world of coaching. His knowledge, energy and communicational skills are widely sought throughout the entire country, not just province. He’s a Master tutor and has more than likely forgotten more than most would ever aspire to learn. For his vast knowledge and his organisational skills, allied to the above mentioned, Pat Moore is a worthy recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.