One of the great lights in the GAA firmament has gone out
The word legend may be slightly overused at this point in describing sportsmen and women, but there is really no higher compliment you can pay to the late Tony Reddin who has died at the age of 95.
The Tipperary goalkeeper is widely regarded as one of the finest men ever to play hurling, as he backboned the famous side to win three in a row of All-Ireland’s from 1949 to 1951.
The Galway native,who was born in Mullagh, played for his native county up until 1947 when he transferred to the Premier County after getting a job on a farm in Lorrha.
His career saw him claim three Munster titles as well as those three Celtic Crosses, and he was part of the Tipperary side who won the national league in 1949,’50,’52 and 54.
As well as having to play against some of the most fearsome forwards of all time in Munster action such as Christy Ring, Reddin also had to overcome a number of personal challenges as he was deaf and suffered with a speech impediment.
His feats on the field were recognised in 1984 as he was named the hurling goalkeeper of the century while he was among a unique group of players in 2000 as he was also named on the hurling team of the Millennium as well.
He once joked that the best thing about being named on the team of the Millennium was being able to get two tickets to the All-Ireland hurling final every year.
The Galway native was also a well known hurley maker and lived out his final years in Banagher in County Offaly.
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of the great Tony Reddin (95), following a short illness. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam
— Lorrha GAA (@LorrhaGAA) March 2, 2015
I am never in awe of too many people but always was in the presence of Tony Reddin, a thorough gentleman and hurling great #RIP
— Shane Brophy (@BrophShane) March 2, 2015
The GAA has lost a true legend, Tipperary has lost a hero and Lorrha has lost a gentleman. RIP Tony Reddin.
— Marisa Kennedy (@MarisaK96) March 2, 2015
