In a touching eulogy given at the funeral mass for Tommie Gorman, held at the Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Ransboro, Co Sligo on a recent Saturday, his son Joe O’Gorman recounted his father’s particular fondness for funerals. His son suggested his father regarded attending funerals as a significant event, often commenting on them vividly when he returned home citing, among other things, the quality of the service and music.
For Tommie, Joe explained, funerals were about connection, which was the lifeblood to his father. His capacity to connect with others was remarkable, even if they were supporters of the Shamrock Rovers.
Joe spoke fondly of his father’s love for people, recollecting that his father once expressed to his friend, Martin McGuinness, that generosity was humanity’s most powerful trait. According to Joe, Tommie believed universally that individuals – powerful or hated, were just people like everybody else. Tommie held the ability to identify humanity in people, despite how well they concealed it from him.
A particular memory from 1994 was recalled where Tommie’s respect for politicians was solidified. That year he was diagnosed with cancer and European Commissioner for social affairs, Padraig Flynn, offered to financially support him, though his father never required the assistance.
Tommie’s love for his hometown Sligo ran deep in his veins, getting inexplicably excited when crossing the Curlews. He often mentioned a Bruce Springsteen track, reinforcing that everyone only gets one hometown.
Joe concluded his touching speech by quoting his father’s favourite saying, that life is nothing if not about love and sport. And he stressed that within both, imperfections were the most beautiful aspects. Tommie had once written that Rovers and Sligo are a perfect match, due to their flaws – being never the finished article.
Gorman was a man of deep conviction, not simply in a spiritual context, but in the faith he placed in individuals as well. He deeply admired those who put their beliefs into action, such as journalists John Healy, Tom Lyons, and Ian Kehoe who launched their own publications. Among his cherished acquaintances was John O’Mahony, a football manager who recruited Tommie as a video analyst three decades ago, and Ed Mulhall, whom he fondly remembered as his finest supervisor.
A friend once jovially declared he’d prefer to return as himself in the next life, to which Joe O’Gorman responded, “I think we’d all concur that Tommie would feel the same way.”
Father Christopher McCrann, who celebrated Gorman’s memorial mass, shared that Gorman’s sudden demise caused distress among many, with some profoundly affected. He mournfully added that he’d miss Gorman’s ceaseless queries, which at times could be exasperating.
Drawing from a friend’s words, Father McCrann hailed Gorman’s ability to forge meaningful friendships as one of his exceptional traits. He effectively resonated with people on various levels, reminiscent of St Paul’s ability to adapt to different circumstances.
Gorman, in his capacity as a journalist, was a strong advocate for mediation and unity, with a persistent optimism for an improved future. Despite experiencing personal suffering, he didn’t let it define him.
Gorman’s faith was one of his defining qualities, and he never hesitated to discuss it openly. As a parishioner, he was a living testimony to his faith and a firm believer in life beyond death.
Known for his eloquence, Gorman was also a man of restraint and discretion. To borrow a phrase from renowned poet Yeats: ‘It’s long since we began/To call up to mind/This wise and simple man.’
In concluding remarks, Father McCrann expressed heartfelt gratitude toward Gorman for his dignified presence among them.
The Mass was concluded with a rendition of (Talk To Me Of) Mendocino by Gorman’s wife, Ceara, and her siblings. The song is originally by Kate and Anna McGarrigle. Chief mourners included Ceara, their children Moya and Joe, and Gorman’s siblings Mary and Michael.
The funeral was well-attended, with prominent figures like Taoiseach Simon Harris, President Michael D Higgins’ representative Capt. Paul O’Donnell, Mayor of Sligo Declan Bree, Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Minister Dara Calleary present. Other attendees included Frank Feighan TD, Martin Kenny TD, Charlie Flanagan and Dick Spring, both former ministers.
Representatives from the political landscape such as Peter Robinson and Arlene Foster from DUP, Dr Joe Hendron and Alasdair McDonnell from SDLP, and ex-Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams were also in attendance. Moreover, RTÉ colleagues Carole Coleman, Vincent Kearney, Ed Mulhall and Director General Kevin Bakhurst were present, along with Anne Cassin, Bryan Dobson, Mary Wilson, Julian Vignoles, Cahal Goan, Joe Little, Seán O’Rourke, and Ray Burke.
Journalist John Downing from the Irish Independent was there, as well as Tom Lyons and Ian Kehoe from the Currency. The deceased was finally laid to rest in the Kilmacowen cemetery located nearby.