Anton O'Toole

Anton O'Toole (18 February 1951 – 17 May 2019) was an Irish Gaelic footballer. His league and championship career at senior level with the Dublin county team spanned thirteen seasons from 1972 to 1984, including six All-Ireland finals in a row.[3]

Anton O'Toole
Personal information
Irish name Antóin Ó Tuathail
Sport Gaelic football
Position Full-forward
Born (1951-02-18)18 February 1951
Dublin, Ireland
Died 17 May 2019(2019-05-17) (aged 68)
Dublin, Ireland
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Nickname The Blue Panther,[1] Tooler[2]
Occupation IT consultant
Club(s)
Years Club
 Synge Street P.P.
Club titles
Dublin titles 0
Inter-county(ies)**
Years County Apps (scores)
1972–1984
 Dublin 47 (7–50)
Inter-county titles
Leinster titles 8
All-Irelands 4
NFL 2
All Stars 3
**Inter County team apps and scores correct as of (20:30, 18 August 2006 (UTC)).

Background

Born in Dublin, O'Toole first played competitive Gaelic football during his schooling at Synge Street CBS. He joined Synge Street PPGFC and won a county junior championship medal in 1970.

Inter-county career

O'Toole made his debut on the inter-county scene when he was picked on the Dublin minor team. He subsequently joined the Dublin under-21 team, under Eugene McGee.[4] O'Toole joined the Dublin senior team during the 1972 championship. Over the course of the next thirteen seasons he won four All-Ireland medals,[4] beginning with a lone triumph in 1974, back-to-back championships in 1976 and 1977 and a final title in 1983. O'Toole also won eight Leinster medals, played in 6 consecutive finals (1974-1979),[4] won two National Football League medals and three All-Stars.

O'Toole could play anywhere in the front eight.[5] He played much of his career at left wing forward, although he started his first All-Ireland Final in 1974 at corner-forward,[5] and his final one in 1983 at full forward.[6]

With Brian Mullins, he was the last of the '74 team left in the side when they won their final championship of that era in 1983, although at that stage O'Toole had been remade into a full forward.[7] He played his last game for Dublin in September 1984.[1]

Managerial career

In retirement from playing O'Toole became involved in team management and coaching. He guided Templeogue Synge Street to the Dublin Intermediate Football Championship title in 2008.[3]

Death

He died in May 2019 after a 15 month battle with cancer.[6][8][9] Tributes were paid from all across the GAA world. At his funeral the pallbearers included many of O'Toole's former teammates including Kevin Moran, Fran Ryder and Bobby Doyle, as well as current Dublin players Niall Scully, Ciaran Kilkenny and Brian Howard.[10]

Honours

Team
Synge Street PP
Dublin

Individual
Awards

References
  1. McKeown, Conor (July 22, 2008). "Relentless hype is biggest threat to Dubs' Sam hope". Evening Herald. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
  2. "'Tooler' the heart of Dublin in rare oul' times". Independent.ie.
  3. "Nowadays if you want someone to tell you how great you were, find a Kerry fella and you can pat each other on the back". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  4. "Dublin legend Anton O'Toole passes away, aged 68". Independent.ie. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
  5. Moran, Seán. "Dublin great Anton O'Toole dies aged 68". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  6. "Blue Panther Anton O'Toole did it all with humility". www.irishexaminer.com. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  7. "The Blue Panther: A star who shunned celebrity". Independent.ie. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  8. Dublin great Anton O'Toole dies aged 68
  9. "GAA stars past and present turn out to bid final farewell to 'Blue Panther' O'Toole". Irish Independent. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  10. Hilliard, Mark. "Stars of past and present pay respects to Dublin's Anton O'Toole". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
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