Tom Furlong, Offaly and New York, RIP

[AZOffaly]

RIP to Tom Furlong, brother of Martin and part of that great Offaly and Tullamore GAA family. Tom very nearly made it in the NFL after he went to America, probably only missed out due to a blown ACL. RIP to him, and sympathies to his family.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/offalys-tom-furlong-and-the-nfl-career-that-slipped-away-30549405.html

[Zulu]

Got the book on the Furlongs, great read by the way, and Tom came across very well in it. Seemed to be the heartbeat of the family in many ways. Sad to hear of his passing. RIP.

[Plain of the Herbs]

I'll repost here what I posted on uibhfhaili.com a short time ago -

Rest in Peace, Tom Furlong.

My favourite publican (who played against Tom in the 1961 Offaly Minor Final (mentioned on page 91 of Pat Nolan's The Furlongs)) opined he would have been Offaly's greatest footballer had he stayed at home.

In his book, Pat Nolan ends the chapter on Tom's domestic football career with the words "Soon he was in New York and Offaly had lost quite possibly the best footballer they never really had". That was his potential.

Sincere sympathy to Joan and to the Furlong family.