Comeragh Council pays tribute to stalwart of GAA, former politician Tom Cunningham

Former Chairman of Waterford County Board and Stradbally GAA Club, and County Councillor, Tom Cunningham has passed away.

A stalwart of local GAA and much-respected former Council member, Tom passed away peacefully after a sudden illness on Friday, April 11.

At a meeting of Comeragh District Councillors this week, tributes were paid to Tom, who was described as “an outstanding GAA man” and a “very good councillor”.

Cllr John O’Leary said: “It is with a deep sense of regret and sorrow that we learned of the sudden death of former councillor Tom Cunningham, who was a member of Waterford County Council for over 20 years.

“He served people in the Comeragh district with a great sense of pride, commitment and dedication. He always put his constituents first, particularly the people of Stradbally.

"He was also an outstanding GAA man, whose career spanned many, many decades. He was first and foremost a player, who then went on to become a very successful chairman of the Waterford County Board."

Cllr Declan Clune described Tom as “always smiley and friendly”, whilst Cathaoirleach of the Comeragh District Cllr Seanie Power commended his ‘lifetime’ of service to the GAA.

Cllr Power said: “I knew Tom through my GAA playing days throughout the years, and Tom also refereed a few matches I played in from time to time.

“In the last number of years I would meet him on a regular basis in the mart and he was always a great character, always enquiring about council, the meetings, and how things were going.” 

Cllr Liam Brazil commended Tom’s service to the people of Waterford, saying: “It was tough to be on the council at that time, because you were doing it at your own expense, and it wasn’t easy."

Cllr Brazil added: “64 years he served working for the GAA, and it's people like Tom and his equals who made the GAA what it is today.”