Join the Connacht Rugby WhatsApp channel
Stay up to date with the latest news
Sadly, Connacht Rugby have received the news that our dear friend Dr. Anthony (Tony) Browne has passed away peacefully at his home in Kingston, Galway, surrounded by his loving family.
As many of you will be aware, Tony was the worthy recipient of Connacht Rugby’s ‘Lifetime Contribution to Rugby Award’ earlier this year and what a truly deserving winner he was.
Tony was born in a small village in County Mayo called Moygownagh and has been involved in Rugby, both on and off the field, since he first held a rugby ball as a young twelve-year-old boarder in Garbally College. He played Second Row and Number 8 for Garbally and also represented The Connacht Schools Team.
On finishing school, he entered UCG to study dentistry and also played in a Connacht Junior Cup Final in 1963 with Crossmolina RFC. Their opponents that day were Corinthians RFC – a club that would later play a huge part in this man’s life. He and his beloved wife Treasa set up a dentistry practice in Galway in 1968 and he immediately got involved in a coaching capacity with Corinthians RFC, winning his first Connacht Senior Cup in 1969. He was one of the prime movers behind the instigation of a youth policy in the club at that time, which has subsequently borne great dividends.
In 1970, he was appointed Coach to the Connacht Senior Squad – a post he held until 1975.
From 1982, as Connacht Rugby Branch Rep, he was a member of the IRFU National Committee and was Chairman of some of the most important National Sub Committees including those dealing with Schoolboy Rugby and Refereeing Standards.
In 1990 he was appointed President of the Connacht Rugby Branch and a year later he became the first and only person ever in the history of Corinthians to hold the office of President of IRFU.
It is testament to the man that he remained a Trustee of Connacht Rugby right up until his sad passing.
On behalf of everyone involved in Connacht Rugby, we wish to express our final respects to this true gentleman, particularly in passing on our sincere condolences to his beloved wife Treasa, his children Deirdre, Paul, Anne-Marie, Eoin and Niall and all his extended relatives and friends at this very sad time.
Tony will be reposing from his home (Eircode H91 YH W4) on Sunday 18th August from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Removal on Monday (19th) to the Sacred Heart Church, Seamus Quirke Road to arrive for Requiem Mass at 11.00 a.m. Funeral after Mass to Rahoon Cemetery. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
As many of you will be aware, Tony was the worthy recipient of Connacht Rugby’s ‘Lifetime Contribution to Rugby Award’ earlier this year and what a truly deserving winner he was.
Tony was born in a small village in County Mayo called Moygownagh and has been involved in Rugby, both on and off the field, since he first held a rugby ball as a young twelve-year-old boarder in Garbally College. He played Second Row and Number 8 for Garbally and also represented The Connacht Schools Team.
On finishing school, he entered UCG to study dentistry and also played in a Connacht Junior Cup Final in 1963 with Crossmolina RFC. Their opponents that day were Corinthians RFC – a club that would later play a huge part in this man’s life. He and his beloved wife Treasa set up a dentistry practice in Galway in 1968 and he immediately got involved in a coaching capacity with Corinthians RFC, winning his first Connacht Senior Cup in 1969. He was one of the prime movers behind the instigation of a youth policy in the club at that time, which has subsequently borne great dividends.
In 1970, he was appointed Coach to the Connacht Senior Squad – a post he held until 1975.
From 1982, as Connacht Rugby Branch Rep, he was a member of the IRFU National Committee and was Chairman of some of the most important National Sub Committees including those dealing with Schoolboy Rugby and Refereeing Standards.
In 1990 he was appointed President of the Connacht Rugby Branch and a year later he became the first and only person ever in the history of Corinthians to hold the office of President of IRFU.
It is testament to the man that he remained a Trustee of Connacht Rugby right up until his sad passing.
On behalf of everyone involved in Connacht Rugby, we wish to express our final respects to this true gentleman, particularly in passing on our sincere condolences to his beloved wife Treasa, his children Deirdre, Paul, Anne-Marie, Eoin and Niall and all his extended relatives and friends at this very sad time.
Tony will be reposing from his home (Eircode H91 YH W4) on Sunday 18th August from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Removal on Monday (19th) to the Sacred Heart Church, Seamus Quirke Road to arrive for Requiem Mass at 11.00 a.m. Funeral after Mass to Rahoon Cemetery. May his gentle soul rest in peace.
