Tipperary Native Killed In Hit & Run

It is with sincere regret we learn of the untimely death of Mr Tommy Kelly, uncle to two of Tipperary’s hurling stars, and the former who lost his life in a suspected ‘hit and run’ incident in Australia on Sunday last.

Mr Kelly was a father of four and worked as a successful Physical Education teacher and athletics coach.

A teacher many years ago at St.Leo’s in Box Hill, Tom spent his time away from coaching at schools such as Xavier College, Genazzano College and Whitefriars amongst others.

A Life Member of both Box Hill and Doncaster Athletics Clubs, Mr Kelly had been an integral part of the Victorian athletics community across many decades. From hurdlers to marathoners, for generations Tommy had been developing Victorian athletes from little athletics through to the Olympics.

His most recent international success story was London Olympian David McNeill, whom he developed from a schoolboy to a Zatopek & NCAA Champion and world championship and Olympic representative over 5000m and 10,000m.

Mr Kelly, aged 82, was uncle of Tipperary hurling stars Eoin Kelly and Paul Kelly and was found dead by Victoria Police on Sunday, on Birmingham Road, Melbourne. Mr Kelly is understood to have been struck by a vehicle while seeking directions to the home of another athlete.

A regular visitor to Mullinahone and his native Tipperary, especially for All-Ireland hurling finals, Mr Kelly had emigrated to Australia originally in 1956, some 57 years ago.

The Kelly family in Mullinahone learned of the incident from one of their late brother’s Australian daughters. Tommy’s funeral will be held in the coming days.

Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.