Passing of Anthony (Tony) Morris
On 22 December the news broke that Anthony (Tony) Morris, another former stalwart of the great Cavan teams of the 1960s, had passed away. Tony played his first football with his native Gowna in the late 1950s and early 1960s and he did much along with his teammates of that era to establish the tradition that was to blossom forth so successfully in that club in later years. Work commitments took Tony away from his native Gowna and he played for years with the famed O’Mahonys team in Navan where he lived. He is best remembered for his many great displays on the Cavan senior team in the 1960s. He played for the Cavan minor team that reached the All-Ireland final in 1959 but lost narrowly to Dublin in Croke Park. He soon got his place on the Cavan senior team and he lined out initially in the half-back line and in later years at left full-back. He won Ulster senior championship medals in 1962, ’64 and ’67 when Cavan overcame fancied Down teams. Tony was very much part of the great encounters between both teams which were a feature of the decade. He had a big, physical presence and he reveled in the challenges provided by some of the legends of the game in the Down forward line namely Seán O’Neill, Paddy Doherty and James McCartan. His displays for Cavan earned him a place on the Ulster Railway Cup team and he played on the victorious teams in 1965 and 1966. In later years he followed the fortunes of his native Gowna and all Cavan teams and he loved to return to meet old friends and teammates. In September 2022 he attended the official opening of the Breffni Gallery in Kingspan Breffni having previously put his fine collection of photographs and memorabilia at the disposal of the organisers which was much appreciated. In late November he made his last visit to Cavan to witness the unveiling of a statue to the legendary John Joe O’Reilly whom he admired greatly. Cavan County Board GAA extends its deepest sympathies to his wife Katherine, son Michael, daughters Noelle and Angie, grandchildren, brothers and sisters and extended family members on his passing.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
By Susan Tue 27th Dec
