Tommy Hall

Tommy Hall speaks about his involvement in the GAA initially with mainly minor teams at St. John’s in Antrim. He talks about moving into umpiring and refereeing and goes on to discuss the setting up and development of the Streets League in Belfast and Bord na nÓg. Tommy then talks about managing the Antrim football team that went on to win the 1969 Under 21 All-Ireland football final. He emphasises the importance of this win to Antrim and Ireland at the start of the Troubles. He talks about the players he has known over the years and how they have developed and the roles they now play in the GAA. He goes on to talk about his part in selecting Railway Cup teams. He speaks about his career in the brewing industry and the GAA men he met through the breweries. Tommy talks about being chairman of his club and after retiring being made president of the club. He then talks about the history of the club and the acquisition of Corrigan Park. He goes on to talk about the generations of players that continue to play at the club. He talks about St. John’s and the Ulster Club Championships. He goes on to talk about the experience he brought to the management of teams and to the importance of the management team. Tommy then discusses the developments from the referee’s committee. He talks about the impact of the Troubles on St. John’s club. He goes on to discuss his best memories of the GAA and his heroes. Finally, he tells of what the GAA has meant to him over the years and returns to the 1969 team and their contribution not just to football but at a national level as ambassadors.