Death of well known Tullamore sportsman

THE death has taken place of a popular sportsman in Tullamore. Roy Cobbe, Acontha was very well known in his home area of Durrow and nearby town of Tullamore, where he was a familiar, well liked personality for decades.

He made a lasting contribution to rugby. A long time member of Tullamore Rugby Club, he was their president some years ago and was a very talented player during his playing career in the 1970s.

A very skilful scrum half, who also played on the wing occasionally, he was a key player on one of Tullamore Rugby Club's most cherished teams, the 1976 Provincial Towns Cup winners. At the time, the Provincial Towns Cup was a much more sought after and distinguished prize than it is now: it is still important but with many clubs competing in the All-Ireland League – Tullamore did an extended stint up there before relegation a couple of years ago -, it is not as difficult to win as it once was.

For example, Tullamore's second team competed in it when their firsts were in the All-Ireland League but back in Roy Cobbe's playing career – and before and after -, it was very much the holy grail of Leinster junior rugby. Tullamore had only won it twice previously before 1976, in 1946 and 1960, and each win was greeted with great celebrations.

Tullamore defeated Curragh, North, Kildare, Wexford and Kilkenny on their way to the final where they got the better of Drogheda, 9-3, in a teak tough, forwards dominated tussle. Cobbe was one of the heroes in that final and his sensational 28th minute drop goal remained part of club folklore for generations. Cobbe was noted for his accuracy passing the ball at the back of scrums and in open play but seldom attempted, never mind converting, drop goals. With his options limited after getting the ball and team mates shouting at him to hold onto possession, Cobbe had a pop and it curled in beautifully between the posts.

It was a hugely important score, one of the defining moments in the game as it helped Tullamore to a 6-3 half time lead after playing with a strong wind and they may have been in trouble without that advantage. They staged a heroic defensive effort in the second half and a second penalty from Cobbe's fellow Durrow man, Matt Geraghty, helped them to a great win.

Roy Cobbe won several other Midland League and local titles with Tullamore, playing on the seconds team before retiring at the end of the 1981-1982 season. His quality is shown by the fact that he also played junior rugby for Leinster while he emerged as a very good referee of junior rugby after the end of his playing career. He then turned to administration, serving the club in a variety of capacities before becoming president.

He also played football in the 1970s, doing a season or so with the former St Columba's GAA Club – they reverted to the Durrow name in the 2000s. He played in the attack in football and could have been good at the game if he played more – at that time, players from a junior club were allowed play senior with another club in the parish and he played briefly for Tullamore. He was on the half forward line in a 1976 0-11 to 1-7 Senior Football Championship win over Gracefield but went off injured after getting a heavy belt. He played in their semi-final as Walsh Island won convincingly but more or less concentrated on rugby after that.

He did enjoy his brief flirtation with football and for years afterwards, he liked to regale listeners with stories about his introduction to the game in Durrow at that time. A Church of Ireland member, he was apprehensive about going into the St Columba's dressing room but wanted to get to know his neighbours and locals better and as he sat down, he observed that they were no different than anyone else, he told a joke, they engaged in banter with him and he was welcomed with genuine warmth.

Rugby, however, was his true sporting passion and he had a lifelong love for the game. He was immersed in Tullamore Rugby Club, a central figure on their tours abroad, including a famous one to the USA when he suffered a broken collar bone in their final game but still made the trip home before being hospitalised. He was one of the organisers of a 50th anniversary reunion of the 1976 Provincial Towns Cup earlier this year, with team members having a memorable trip to Westport.

He loved attending Irish internationals in Lansdowne Road and abroad – a very sociable figure, these trips were always enjoyed. He remained a regular at Tullamore rugby games for years, travelling to away fixtures as well as the home ones.

From a farming background, he worked as a salesman in the motor trade for years and was very successful at this. Tullamore Rugby Club paid a tribute to him this week:

“Roy made friends wherever he went through rugby, building friendships with people and clubs all over the country. He was a great character, always ready for a bit of craic and a laugh, and he brought great warmth and friendship to everyone who knew him.

“Roy was much more than a former president and player; he was a friend to so many of us, and his loss will be deeply felt throughout the club.

Thanks, Roy, for everything you gave to Tullamore RFC, for the great times we shared, and for the memories that will stay with us forever.

You will always be part of the Tullamore RFC family and will never be forgotten.”

His popularity was reflected by the large crowd at his removal on Wednesday and funeral on Thursday in St Catherine's Church, Tullamore with burial in St Columba's Church of Ireland graveyard, Durrow.

Roy will be sadly missed by his loving daughters Vicky and Alex, son Ian, his adored granddaughter Zara, Vicky's partner Marius, brothers Neville and Clive, sister Meta, nieces, nephews, extended family and his many friends.