Tom Tierney dead – Tributes pour in for former Ireland rugby international after tragic passing

TRIBUTES have flooded in after former Ireland rugby international Tom Tierney passed away overnight at the age of 46.

As well as lining out for his country eight times between 1999-2000, the Limerick native was also a well-respected coach.

Tierney pictured at a Munster rugby squad training session in May 2022

Playing for an Ireland XV 1999 during a representative match against Ulster

TwitterEx Ireland ace Frankie Sheahan has paid tribute to him[/caption]

Among the roles he held in Irish rugby over the year were head coach of the women’s senior international side as well as assistant for the men’s U20s.

The scrum-half was part of the Irish team that played at the 1999 World Cup.

A statement from Irish Rugby expressed ‘deep shock’ on the part of everyone associated with the Union.

Chief Executive Kevin Potts said: “Everyone in Irish Rugby is deeply shocked to hear of the sudden loss of Tom Tierney.

“Our immediate thoughts are with his wife Mary and daughters Isabel and Julia, as well as his many friends, colleagues and former team-mates.

“Tom was an outstanding scrum-half and his time in the Ireland jersey will always be an immense source of pride for his family and the clubs that supported him on his journey.

“He also amassed an impressive CV as a coach and we were honoured to have him as a colleague in the IRFU from 2014 to present.

“He will be sorely missed.”

He had been employed by the IRFU since 2014 across various coaching roles.

In addition to the women’s senior team and men’s U20s, he was involved with the men’s u19s and women’s 7s.

He led the women’s 15s to a Six Nations title in 2015.

A former teammate at both provincial and international level in Frankie Sheahan has also paid tribute.

He said: “I am truly devastated to hear the news today of my great friend and teammate Tom Tierney.

“Fantastic player, superb character and outstanding coach. Thoughts and prayers with Mary and all the family.”

In his youth, Tierney had come up through the ranks in the All-Ireland League with Richmond, Garryowen and Galwegians before representing Munster and Connacht.

He later had a stint playing the English Premiership for Leicester Tigers between 2002-2004.