Dungarvan clubman Tom Cunningham, one of the last surviving members of the Waterford All-Ireland winning team of 1959, has sadly passed away.
Tom was a renowned corner-back who won the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship with the Deise in 1948 - and also lifted the Liam McCarthy Cup in the famous success of 1959.
Cunningham also won Munster titles in the white and blue of Waterford in 1957, 1959 and 1963 - and was one of an anomaly of three players to win the 1948 minor and 1959 senior crowns.
A talented footballer, Cunningham also won Railway Cup medals with Munster - and was part of the Waterford team that famously toppled Kerry in 1957.
Tom served Waterford both on and off the field for many years, as a member of the Waterford County Board and as a member of the Munster Council.
Tributes have been paid to Tom who has been described as one of Dungarvan and Waterford's finest ever players.
In a statement on social media, Dungarvan GAA paid tribute to a club legend.
"It is the Dungarvan hurling and football club’s very sad duty to inform you of the death of our former player and club trustee Tom Cunningham this Thursday morning in Waterford Regional Hospital. Anyone who was involved in the Dungarvan club over the years will know very well that Tom was one of our greatest members ever, whether it be on the playing fields where he achieved ultimate success as a hurler - or as a staunch worker behind the scenes, tasks he did efficiently and away from the spotlight for the betterment and development of our club."
"Tom always had the good of the club at heart, he was a trustee of Dungarvan GAA up to today, a vice President and in latter years he was always available to give his wise counsel on matters that would arise. The Dungarvan club meant so much to this player of national renown. He covered so many roles and gave a total commitment to us from the day he first swung a hurley or kicked a football. In recent years, Tom based his daily walk around the town he loved so well from our club grounds and regularly paid a visit to Pairc Dungarbhain when it was nice and quiet to look at our field developments and enquire about them."
"Tom Cunningham will not be known to the younger generation of Dungarvan players but he leaves behind an example to them as the kind of member the club would like them to be.
Born in 1931 and died in 2022, Tom Cunningham will always be remembered fondly and with appreciation by Dungarvan GAA Club."
Ar Dheis Dé go Raibh A h-Anam.
