THE recent passing of Tom O’Donnell, TD, and his brother Dr Martin O’Donnell robbed the sporting community of Limerick and North Cork of two of its greatest supporters.

Brought up in Dromin Co Limerick, they came from a family steeped in farming, politics and horses. The family can trace its political antecedents right back to Parnell and their uncle Dick O’Connell having taken a leading role in the war of independence, later becoming a Cumann na nGaedheal (Fine Gael) TD. He went on become a very successful trainer, winning two Irish Grand Nationals.