DUBBO’S sporting community was shocked at the weekend to hear of the sudden and tragic death of former Dubbo Macquarie front-rower Tom O’Connor on Friday afternoon at the age of 60.
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A really sombre mood enveloped Caltex Park on Saturday as the Raiders met their arch rivals Dubbo CYMS, with the match marking 40 years since the two clubs fought out the 1975 Group 11 grand final.
O’Connor played in that match and Group 11 secretary Ross McDermott, a former teammate of his, was full of praise for a man he described as ‘tough but highly-respected’.
“Tom was a very passionate Macquarie man, there’s little doubt about that,” McDermott said.
“On the field during his playing days he was one of your tough, old-style front rowers that did plenty of hard work for the team.
“He never backed away from a contest, could be quite vocal with the referees and got himself sent off a few times, but he was always the first to have a beer with the opposition, even CYMS.
“Obviously Macquarie and CYMS have that rivalry but back in our day it was a healthy rivalry. We played hard on the field but would always have a drink afterwards, and I think Tom was a guy that had that genuine respect from the opposition teams.
“I know from talking to some people that those green fellas that played against him in that 1975 grand final were all pretty shocked and saddened at their reunion at the game on Saturday.
“When he finished playing Tom was a pretty devout Macquarie man. He sponsored the club for a while and he never wavered from being part of the blue side of town.”
Tom O’Connor was more than just a footballer and football fan though. He was a loving husband to wife Marie, father to their children Kylie, Ryan, Mitchell, Carlie and Joshua, and grandfather to their children as well.
For a time he had the Streets ice cream run in town, and later branched into chicken delivery all across the region before settling on the family property Lynwood.
“Family was a big thing for Tom. He followed his kids around to their sport and other things,” McDermott said. “He was proud of all of his kids, and if they were involved in something he wanted to be there with them and take it all in.
“Their farm is out near Eumungerie so I’m sure the people at the pub there would have some tales of the stories Tom has told them over the years as well.
“The whole thing has come as a bit of a shock to be honest but once again as a sporting community we’ll rally around Marie, and the kids and their families, and be there to help them however we can.”
