Tom Tierney Rest In Peace

24th February 2023 By The Editor

Tom Tierney. Sportsfile

The IRFU and Munster Rugby are saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our friend and colleague Tom Tierney at the age of 46.

As a player, Tom represented Richmond, Garryowen, Munster, Leicester Tigers, Galwegians and Connacht with distinction.

The scrum-half made his debut for Ireland in June, 1999 and went on to earn eight caps including four appearances at the 1999 Rugby World Cup where he scored a try against Romania.

Tom Tierney in action for Munster against Leinster in 2000. (Sportsfile)

After moving into coaching, the Limerick native held head coaching roles with Crescent College Comprehensive SJ, Garryowen, Cork Constitution and the Ireland Club XV side.

He had been employed by the IRFU since 2014 including coaching roles with Ireland U19 and U20 Men’s, Ireland Women’s 7s and Ireland Women’s 15s for three years where his honours included a 2015 Women’s Six Nations Championship.

His role as IRFU National Talent Coach has seen him based out of Munster Rugby’s High Performance Centre in UL since 2021, working with the province’s Academy and National Talent Squad players.

Munster Rugby CEO, Ian Flanagan, said: “On behalf of Munster Rugby, I would like to express our deepest condolences to Tom’s wife Mary, daughters Isabel and Julia, and the wider Tierney family.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by Tom’s sudden passing. A great servant to Munster and Irish Rugby he will be dearly missed. The younger players and his colleagues in the HPC enjoyed working closely with Tom each day as he brought a great energy and unique personality to his role, always ensuring the future of Munster Rugby was in safe hands.

“May he rest in peace.”

IRFU Chief Executive Kevin Potts said: “Everyone in Irish Rugby is deeply shocked to hear of the sudden loss of Tom Tierney. Our immediate thoughts are with his wife Mary and daughters Isabel and Julia, as well as his many friends, colleagues and former team-mates.

“Tom was an outstanding scrum-half and his time in the Ireland jersey will always be an immense source of pride for his family and the clubs that supported him on his journey.

“He also amassed an impressive CV as a coach and we were honoured to have him as a colleague in the IRFU from 2014 to present. He will be sorely missed.”