It is with great sadness we learned of the death yesterday, (March 1st) of former Tipperary Goalkeeper Tony Reddin (Goalkeeper of the Century and the Millennium), in his 96th year.
Mr Reddin died following a short illness, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Banagher, Co. Offaly.
T. Reddin R.I.P.
Born Martin Charles Reddington in Mullagh, Co. Galway in November 1919, Tony began his hurling career as a juvenile with his local club in 1933, winning a Connacht junior hurling medal with Galway in 1940. He would go on to play senior hurling and would play with Connacht in the inter-provincial championship in 1946.
One year later having crossed the Shannon to take up farm work in Lorrha, he joined the local club, where he immediately caused excitement with his unusual ability displayed in North Championship games.
Nicknamed “Thaudy,” in 1948, he assisted Lorrha win the North Tipperary senior hurling title making a succession of brilliant second half saves in the final against Borris Ileigh. Despite losing to Holycross/Ballycahill in the County final later that year, his performance brought him to the immediate attention of the then Tipperary manager Mr Paddy Leahy.
He joined the Tipperary panel later in 1949 and for the next nine years his performances as goalkeeper for the Premier County earned him the status and arguably the title of “greatest ever hurling goalkeeper”.
Tony won three All Ireland Senior Medals in 1949, 1950 and 1951 as well as three Munster Titles. He also won 6 National Leagues in 1949, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955 and 1957; 5 Railway Cup medals with Munster in 1950, 1953 and 1955, and 1 Oireachtas medal.
Tony was named the GAA’s Hurling goalkeeper of the century in 1984 and was named on the ‘Hurling Team of the Millennium’ in 2000.
Mr Reddin’s death is deeply regretted by his loving wife Maura and children Catherine (London), Eamon (Sligo), Jacinta (Dundalk), Majella (Gorey), Collette (Dunstable), Dermot (Sheffield), Brenda (Ardrahan), Noelle (Lucan), Cathal (Bray), and their spouses, Pat, Jane, Brian, Murt, Paul, Dawn, Pat, Gerry and Yasmin, his 28 grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters; also his sisters Kitty and Betty, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Mr Reddin’s body will repose at his home on Tuesday from 12.00 noon until 7.00pm with removal afterwards to St. Rynagh’s Church, Banagher, Co Offaly, arriving for prayers at 8.00pm.
His Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday at 12.00 noon, followed by burial in Bonoham Cemetery, Rathcabin.
Family flowers only please.
Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.
The greatest of all Goelkeepers. R.I.P.