Tributes to Mayo man who was a former president of the IRFU
TRIBUTES have been paid to Anthony D. (Tony) Browne, 'Úllórd', Kingston, Galway, and Moygownagh, whose death has taken place.
The deceased was a former president of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and the Connacht branch of the organisation.
A statement issued by Connacht Rugby said: “Tony was the worthy recipient of Connacht Rugby’s ‘Lifetime Contribution to Rugby Award’ earlier this year and what a truly deserving winner he was.
“Tony was born in the small village of Moygownagh in north Mayo and has been involved in rugby, both on and off the field, since he first held a rugby ball as a young twelve-year-old boarder in Garbally College.
"He played second row and number 8 for Garbally and also represented the Connacht Schools team.
“On finishing school, he entered UCG to study dentistry and also played in a Connacht Junior Cup final in 1963 with Crossmolina RFC. Their opponents that day were Corinthians RFC – a club that would later play a huge part in this man’s life.
“He and his beloved wife Treasa set up a dentistry practice in Galway in 1968 and he immediately got involved in a coaching capacity with Corinthians RFC, winning his first Connacht Senior Cup in 1969.
"He was one of the prime movers behind the instigation of a youth policy in the club at that time, which has subsequently borne great dividends.
“In 1970, he was appointed coach to the Connacht Senior Squad – a post he held until 1975.
“From 1982, as Connacht Rugby Branch representative, he was a member of the IRFU National Committee and was chairman of some of the most important national sub-committees, including those dealing with schoolboy rugby and refereeing standards.
“In 1990 he was appointed president of the Connacht Rugby Branch and a year later he became the first and only person ever in the history of Corinthians to hold the office of president of IRFU.
“It is testament to the man that he remained a trustee of Connacht Rugby right up until his sad passing.
"On behalf of everyone involved in Connacht Rugby, we wish to express our final respects to this true gentleman, particularly in extending on our sincere condolences to the bereaved family on their loss."
He was husband of Treasa and father of Deirdre, Paul, Anne-Marie, Eoin and Niall, to whom sympathy is tendered.
The deceased will also be sadly missed by his sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, 17 grandchildren, brothers, sisters, brothers and sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
His remains will be reposing at his home this evening from 4 to 7 p.m.
Removal on Monday to the Sacred Heart Church, Seamus Quirke Road, to arrive for Requiem Mass at 11 a.m.
Burial takes place afterwards Rahoon Cemetery.