Tony Reddin
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Martin Charles Reddington (22 November 1919 – 1 March 2015), better known as Tony Reddin, was an Irish hurler who played as a goalkeeper for the
Galway Galway ( ; , ) is a City status in Ireland, city in (and the county town of) County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay. It is the most populous settlement in the province of Connacht, the List of settleme ...
and Tipperary senior teams. Born in Mullagh, County Galway, Reddin first played competitive hurling at juvenile levels with his club. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Galway minor team before later joining the junior team. He made his senior debut during the 1941 championship. Reddin later joined the Tipperary team during the 1947–48 league and went on to play a key part for almost a decade. During that time he won three
All-Ireland All-Ireland (sometimes All-Island) is a term used to describe organisations and events whose interests extend over the entire island of Ireland, as opposed to the separate jurisdictions of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. "All-Irelan ...
medals, three
Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...
medals and five
National Hurling League The National Hurling League is an annual Inter county, inter-county hurling competition featuring teams from Ireland and England. Founded in 1925 by the Gaelic Athletic Association, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation within the l ...
medals. As a member of the
Connacht Connacht or Connaught ( ; or ), is the smallest of the four provinces of Ireland, situated in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, C ...
and
Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...
inter-provincial teams on a number of occasions, Reddin won five
Railway Cup The GAA Interprovincial Championship () or Railway Cup (''Corn an Iarnróid'') is the name of two annual Gaelic football and hurling competitions held between the provinces of Ireland. The Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster GAA teams are co ...
medals. At club level, he played with Mullagh in Galway and
Lorrha Lorrha (from ) is a small village at the northern tip of County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Ledewich described village as 'Larah' which is the common name for the talk-motes, mote hills etc. P. Dixon Hardy M.R.I.A. describes it as 'L ...
in Tipperary. Throughout his career, Reddin made a combined total of 26 championship appearances. His retirement came during a tour of the United States in October 1957. In retirement from playing Reddin became involved in team management and coaching. As the trainer of the St Rynagh's team, he guided them to two
Leinster Leinster ( ; or ) is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in the southeast of Ireland. The modern province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige, which existed during Gaelic Ireland. Following the 12th-century ...
titles and ten
Offaly County Offaly (; ) is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Eastern and Midland Region and the province of Leinster. It is named after the ancient Kingdom of Uí Failghe. It was formerly known as King's County, in honour of Philip II of Spain ...
titles. Reddin has been repeatedly voted onto teams made up of the sport's greats, including as goalkeeper on the Hurling Team of the Century in 1984 and the Hurling Team of the Millennium in 2000. At the time of his death in 2015 Reddin was the oldest living senior All-Ireland medal winner, a mantle he had held since the death of Tommy Cooke in 2014.


Playing career


Club

Reddin began his club hurling career as a juvenile with Mullagh in 1933. It was a successful debut season as he finished the year with an East Board championship medal. Reddin was a wing forward on the same team the following year, before moving to centre-forward when he joined the Mullagh junior team in 1938. In 1939 Reddin was first picked as a goalkeeper. The following year he made his senior championship debut and held his position as first-choice 'keeper for a number of years without success. A move to
County Tipperary County Tipperary () is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. The county is named after the town of Tipperary (tow ...
at the end of the decade saw Reddin join the
Lorrha Lorrha (from ) is a small village at the northern tip of County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Ledewich described village as 'Larah' which is the common name for the talk-motes, mote hills etc. P. Dixon Hardy M.R.I.A. describes it as 'L ...
. Success was immediate with the club qualifying for a north championship decider in 1948.
Borrisokane Borrisokane () is a town in County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is 15 km north of Nenagh, at the junction of the N52 road (Ireland), N52 and N65 road (Ireland), N65 roads. At the 2022 census of Ireland, 2022 census, it had a p ...
provided the opposition, however, an outstanding display of goalkeeping by Reddin secured a 5–4 to 2–4 victory. Eight years elapsed before Lorrha enjoyed success again. A narrow 0–18 to 4–8 victory gave Reddin a second north championship medal.


Inter-county


Beginnings

Reddin first played at inter-county level as a member of the Galway minor team, however, he enjoyed little success in this grade before joining the Galway junior team in 1940. He won a
Connacht Connacht or Connaught ( ; or ), is the smallest of the four provinces of Ireland, situated in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, C ...
medal that year following a 6–5 to 1–4 defeat of
Roscommon Roscommon (; ; ) is the county town and the largest town in County Roscommon in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is roughly in the centre of Ireland, near the meeting of the N60 road (Ireland), N60, N61 road (Ireland), N61 and N63 road (Irelan ...
. On 25 August 1940, Reddin was between the posts as Galway faced
Cork "Cork" or "CORK" may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable buoyant plant product ** Stopper (plug), or "cork", a cylindrical or conical object used to seal a container *** Wine cork an item to seal or reseal wine Places Ireland * ...
in the All-Ireland decider. A narrow 3–3 to 3–1 defeat was the result on that occasion. After progressing onto the Galway senior team, Reddin was the second-choice goalkeeper to
Seánie Duggan Seán "Seánie" Duggan (2 November 1922 – 26 September 2013) was an Irish hurler who played as a goalkeeper for the Galway senior team. Born in Galway, Duggan arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty-one when he first linked ...
for much of the decade. In 1946, he played at full-forward for Galway in the Monaghan Cup against Tipperary in London and later that year was sub-goalie when the westerners lost to Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final. As Reddin approached his thirtieth birthday, a realisation that he would never supplant Duggan from the Galway 'keeper's position, together with some impressive club championship performances led to him joining the Tipperary senior team in 1948.


Three-in-a-row

Reddin immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen, and won his first
National Hurling League The National Hurling League is an annual Inter county, inter-county hurling competition featuring teams from Ireland and England. Founded in 1925 by the Gaelic Athletic Association, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation within the l ...
medal in 1949 following a 3–5 to 3–3 defeat of Cork in the decider. On 29 May 1949 Reddin made his senior championship debut in a 3–10 apiece Munster quarter-final draw with Cork. Tipperary triumphed in the replay and later qualified for a Munster decider with
Limerick Limerick ( ; ) is a city in western Ireland, in County Limerick. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and is in the Mid-West Region, Ireland, Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. W ...
following a semi-final defeat of
Clare Clare may refer to: Places Antarctica * Clare Range, a mountain range in Victoria Land Australia * Clare, South Australia, a town in the Clare Valley * Clare Valley, South Australia Canada * Clare (electoral district), an electoral district * Cl ...
. After trailing at the interval, Tipp eventually triumphed by 1–16 to 2–10, giving Reddin his first
Munster Munster ( or ) is the largest of the four provinces of Ireland, located in the south west of the island. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" (). Following the Nor ...
medal. On 4 September 1949, Tipperary and
Laois County Laois ( ; ) is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Eastern and Midland Region and in the province of Leinster. It was known as Queen's County from 1556 to 1922. The modern county takes its name from Loígis, a medieval kingdom. Hist ...
faced off in the All-Ireland decider. In a one-sided affair, Tipp opened with a Paddy Kenny goal before
Jimmy Kennedy James Kennedy (20 July 1902 – 6 April 1984) was a British songwriter. He was predominantly a lyricist, putting words to existing music such as "Teddy Bears' Picnic" and "My Prayer" or co-writing with composers like Michael Carr (composer), ...
added two more goals in the second half. At full-time Tipperary won by 3–11 to 0–3 and Reddin won his first
All-Ireland All-Ireland (sometimes All-Island) is a term used to describe organisations and events whose interests extend over the entire island of Ireland, as opposed to the separate jurisdictions of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. "All-Irelan ...
medal. Tipperary qualified for a second Munster decider in 1950, with Cork providing the opposition once again. In one of the toughest games of his career, Reddin came in for some unwanted treatment from some Cork supporters behind his goal. After a ten-minute stoppage to clear some of the 55,000 crowd who had invaded the field, Reddin's goalmouth area quickly became surrounded. Bottles, cans, sods and even an overcoat were thrown at him while he was also barracked and pushed during the closing stages. Tipperary eventually won the game by 2–17 to 3–11, however, in spite of collecting a second Munster medal, it took several hours before Reddin could leave the field due to an angry Cork crowd. He later lined out in his second successive All-Ireland final on 3 September 1950, with age-old rivals
Kilkenny Kilkenny ( , meaning 'church of Cainnech of Aghaboe, Cainnech'). is a city in County Kilkenny, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is located in the South-East Region, Ireland, South-East Region and in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinst ...
providing the opposition. In a dull affair, Tipp looked to be heading for victory when Seán Kenny scored a goal to put the team four points ahead with just one minute left to play. Kilkenny fought back and a Jimmy Kelly goal from the puck-out reduced the deficit to just one point again. As "the Cats" were about to launch one final attack, the referee blew the whistle and Tipperary had won by 1–9 to 1–8. Reddin had secured his second All-Ireland medal. He rounded off the year by winning a second National League medal following a 1–12 to 3–4 defeat of
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...
. Tipperary's dominance of the provincial championship continued in 1951, with Reddin lining out against Cork in a third successive Munster decider. Cork's
Christy Ring Nicholas Christy Michael Ring (30 October 1920 – 2 March 1979) was an Irish hurler whose league and championship career at senior level with the Cork county team spanned twenty-four years from 1939 to 1963. He established many championship ...
gave one of his best displays, however, the Tipperary full-back line of John Doyle, Tony Brennan and Mickey "the Rattler" Byrne also gave a defiant performance. A 2–11 to 2–9 victory gave Reddin a third Munster medal. The subsequent All-Ireland decider against
Wexford Wexford ( ; archaic Yola dialect, Yola: ''Weiseforthe'') is the county town of County Wexford, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Wexford lies on the south side of Wexford Harbour, the estuary of the River Slaney near the southeastern corner of the ...
on 2 September 1951 provided Tipperary with the chance to secure a hat-trick of championship titles for the first time in over half a century.
Nicky Rackard Nicholas Rackard (28 April 1922 – 10 April 1976) was an Irish hurler whose league and championship career with the Wexford senior team spanned seventeen years from 1940 to 1957. He established many championship scoring records, including be ...
, Wexford's goal-scoring machine, was nullified by Reddin in goal, while
Séamus Bannon Séamus Bannon (1927 – 27 February 1990) was an Irish sportsman. He played hurling at various with his local clubs Nenagh Éire Óg in Tipperary and Young Irelands in Dublin and was a member of the Tipperary senior inter-county team in the ...
, Tim Ryan and Paddy Kenny scored key goals which powered Tipp to a 7–7 to 3–9 victory. It was Reddin's third All-Ireland medal. Reddin won a third National League medal in 1952, as New York were bested on a 6–14 to 2–5 score line. The dream of a fourth successive All-Ireland triumph came to an end when Cork defeated Tipperary in the provincial decider.


Decline

Tipperary went into a period of decline following this, as Cork and Wexford had a stranglehold on the All-Ireland crown. In spite of this, Doyle added two more National League medals to his collection following defeats of Kilkenny in 1954 and Wexford in 1955. Remembered for his wonderful anticipation, sharp reflexes and his vision, Reddin suffered from deafness and associated speech limitations throughout his career. In 1950 his ability to hear and speak improved when he got his first hearing aid during a trip to New York with the Tipperary hurlers. In 1957 he visited New York again where he got a smaller hearing aid. The hearing aids helped Reddin as a goalkeeper, however, by the mid-1950s his career was coming to a close. Shortly after winning his sixth National League title in 1957, albeit as a substitute, Reddin retired from inter-county hurling.


Inter-provincial

In 1950 Reddin was in goal as the Munster inter-provincial team faced their age-old rivals
Leinster Leinster ( ; or ) is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in the southeast of Ireland. The modern province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige, which existed during Gaelic Ireland. Following the 12th-century ...
in the championship decider. A narrow 0–9 to 1–3 gave him a first
Railway Cup The GAA Interprovincial Championship () or Railway Cup (''Corn an Iarnróid'') is the name of two annual Gaelic football and hurling competitions held between the provinces of Ireland. The Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster GAA teams are co ...
medal. It was the first of four-in-a-row for Munster, as subsequent defeats of Leinster (1951 and 1953) and
Connacht Connacht or Connaught ( ; or ), is the smallest of the four provinces of Ireland, situated in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, C ...
(1952) brought Reddin's winners' medal tally to four. Five-in-a-row proved beyond Munster, however, the team bounced back in 1955. A 6–8 to 3–4 defeat of Connacht gave Reddin a fifth and final Railway Cup medal.


Coaching career

After moving to Banagher, Reddin continued to work as a hurley maker while he also became involved in coaching. In 1965 he was trainer of the St Rynagh's senior hurling team that contested only their second championship decider ever. A 2–12 to 1–9 defeat of
Coolderry Coolderry () is a small roadside village in southern County Offaly, Ireland. It is located 8 kilometres north of Roscrea and 11 kilometres south of Birr. The village lies close to the Slieve Bloom Mountains. Places of note include Gloster Hou ...
gave St Rynagh's the title. He won thirteen championship medals, all but one of which was won on the field of play. Further success followed in 1966 as St. Rynagh's retained the Seán Robbins Cup following a defeat of Drumcullen. Two years later in 1968, the Reddin-trained St Rynagh's team added a third championship. The 1–12 to 3–4 defeat of Coolderry was the first of three championship titles in succession for St Rynagh's, as
Kinnitty Kinnitty () is a village in County Offaly, Ireland. It is located 13 km east of Birr, County Offaly, Birr on the R440 road, R440 and R421 road, R421 roads. The village is in a Civil parishes in Ireland, civil parish of the same name. Name a ...
were accounted for in the following two deciders. In 1970 Reddin's side collected the
Leinster Leinster ( ; or ) is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in the southeast of Ireland. The modern province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige, which existed during Gaelic Ireland. Following the 12th-century ...
title following a 4–10 to 2–9 defeat of Rathnure. St Rynagh's later faced
Roscrea Roscrea () is a market town in County Tipperary, Ireland. In 2022 it had a population of 5,542. Roscrea is one of the oldest towns in Ireland, having developed around the 7th century monastery of Crónán of Roscrea, Saint Crónán of Roscrea, p ...
in the inaugural All-Ireland final; however, the Offaly side were defeated by 4–5 to 2–5. Four county championships in a row proved beyond St Rynagh's; however, the club bounced back in 1972. A defeat of Kinnitty in the county decider kick-started a run of success that yielded a record-breaking five championships in succession. As well as this, Reddin's adopted side collected a second Leinster medal in 1972 as St Rynagh's narrowly defeated old rivals Rathnure by 5–5 to 2–13.


Recognition

Almost thirty years after his retirement from playing, Reddin received the ultimate honour during the GAA's centenary year in 1984 when he was chosen goalkeeper on the Hurling Team of the Century. He retained that position sixteen years later on the Hurling Team of the Millennium in 2000, while he was also named on special Munster and Tipperary all-time teams. Following his death in 2015, Tipperary County Board chairman Michael Bourke said: ''"The name of Tony Reddin will go down in hurling folklore as one of hurling's legends. His achievements list high among the greats not only of his own era but also of those of modern times. However, his goalkeeping genius which inspired many is as vibrant today, not alone to Tipperary people, but all Gaels in general as we recall the greatness of his unique talent."'' Brendan Cummins, one of Reddin's successors as Tipperary custodian, described him as ''" hegreatest hurling goalie of all time"''.


Personal life

Martin Charles Reddington was born in Mullagh, County Galway on 15 November 1919. His family, although having the surname Reddington, were always known as the Reddins, with Martin being referred to by his nickname of Thaudy. This nickname eventually evolved to Tony. Reddin grew up on the family farm and was educated at the local national school. He learned his hurling skills on the family farm. When ploughing the fields he would carry a hurley and ball, striking the ball into the air and trapping it on the stick on its way down. To sharpen his reflexes he would practice against a rough stone wall from a close distance, catching the sliotar as it rebounded in different directions. Times were tough, however, in post-war Ireland. He tried in vain to make a living on a small holding of land also being farmed by his brother and the rest of their family, so at the age of twenty-eight he made the decision to leave. England was booming, however, the Mullagh man had a great love for the game of hurling and when he got the offer of a job on a farm in Lorrha in Tipperary he took it. In 1956 Reddin married Maura Smyth from Rathcabbin and the couple had nine children; Catherine, Eamon, Jacinta, Majella, Collette, Dermot, Brenda, Noelle and Cathal. Four years later a job with
Bord na Móna Bord na Móna (; English: "The Peat Board") is a semi-state company in Ireland, created in 1946 by the Turf Development Act 1946. The company began developing the peatlands of Ireland with the aim to provide economic benefit for Irish Midland co ...
led to a move to Banagher where he lived for the rest of his life. Reddin died on 1 March 2015 at the age of 95 following a short illness.


Honours


Player

;Mullagh *East Board Juvenile Hurling Championship (1): 1933 ;Lorrha *North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship (2): 1948, 1956 ;Galway * Connacht Junior Hurling Championship (1): 1940 ;Tipperary *
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship, known simply as the All-Ireland Championship, is an annual Inter county, inter-county hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). It is the highest-tier competition for ...
(3):
1949 Events January * January 1 – A United Nations-sponsored ceasefire brings an end to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. The war results in a stalemate and the division of Kashmir, which still continues as of 2025 * January 2 – Luis ...
,
1950 Events January * January 1 – The International Police Association (IPA) – the largest police organization in the world – is formed. * January 5 – 1950 Sverdlovsk plane crash, Sverdlovsk plane crash: ''Aeroflot'' Lisunov Li-2 ...
,
1951 Events January * January 4 – Korean War: Third Battle of Seoul – Chinese and North Korean forces capture Seoul for the second time (having lost the Second Battle of Seoul in September 1950). * January 9 – The Government of the Uni ...
*
Munster Senior Hurling Championship The Munster GAA Hurling Senior Championship, known simply as the Munster Championship, is an annual Inter county, inter-county hurling competition organised by the Munster GAA, Munster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). It is the h ...
(3):
1949 Events January * January 1 – A United Nations-sponsored ceasefire brings an end to the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. The war results in a stalemate and the division of Kashmir, which still continues as of 2025 * January 2 – Luis ...
,
1950 Events January * January 1 – The International Police Association (IPA) – the largest police organization in the world – is formed. * January 5 – 1950 Sverdlovsk plane crash, Sverdlovsk plane crash: ''Aeroflot'' Lisunov Li-2 ...
,
1951 Events January * January 4 – Korean War: Third Battle of Seoul – Chinese and North Korean forces capture Seoul for the second time (having lost the Second Battle of Seoul in September 1950). * January 9 – The Government of the Uni ...
*
National Hurling League The National Hurling League is an annual Inter county, inter-county hurling competition featuring teams from Ireland and England. Founded in 1925 by the Gaelic Athletic Association, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation within the l ...
(5): 1948–49, 1949–50, 1951–52, 1953–54, 1954–55, 1956–57 (sub) ;Munster *
Railway Cup The GAA Interprovincial Championship () or Railway Cup (''Corn an Iarnróid'') is the name of two annual Gaelic football and hurling competitions held between the provinces of Ireland. The Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster GAA teams are co ...
(5): 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955


Trainer

;St Rynagh's *
Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship The Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the AIB Leinster GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship) is an annual hurling competition organised by the Leinster GAA, Leinster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Associa ...
(2): 1970, 1972 * Offaly Senior Club Hurling Championship (10): 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976,


Individual

;Honours * GAA Hurling Team of the Millennium: Goalkeeper * GAA Hurling Team of the Century: Goalkeeper *Munster Hurling Team of the Century: Goalkeeper *Tipperary Team of the Century: Goalkeeper *
GAA Hall of Fame The GAA Hall of Fame is the hall of fame for Gaelic games in Ireland. The hall opened in the Cusack Stand, Croke Park, Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the ...
Inductee: 2013 *The 125 greatest stars of the GAA: No. 25


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reddin, Tony 1919 births 2015 deaths Bord na Móna people Mullagh hurlers Lorrha-Dorrha hurlers Tipperary inter-county hurlers Galway inter-county hurlers Munster inter-provincial hurlers Connacht inter-provincial hurlers Hurling goalkeepers Hurling managers Hurling selectors All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winners Gaelic games players from County Galway 20th-century Irish sportsmen