Death of former jockey, Tommy McGivern

The death has occurred of Tommy McGivern of Drumconrath, a leading jump jockey in the 1970s and 1980s, who was closely associated with Michael Cunningham’s stable,

He died on Tuesday at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, after a short illness, aged 62.

McGivern’s riding career spanned just over 20 years up to the beginning of the 1990s, and he came close to winning a jockeys' title in the mid-1980s when just losing out to Frank Berry. He was previously married to jockey and trainer Joanna Morgan, with whom he has two daughters, Katie and Maggie. He also has an older son, Noel.

McGivern, a popular figure within the industry, rode his first winner as a teenager for Cunningham, for whom he enjoyed success on the 1982 Champion Hurdle hero For Auction, as well as other flagbearers for the stable such as Irish Fashion, Greasepaint, and Drumgora, on whom he won the 1977 Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

In 1980, McGivern won what is now the Red Rum Chase at Aintree on Drumgora, when trained by Arthur Moore. In December 1978, he was responsible for the defeat of the newly crowned Champion Hurdler Monksfield when guiding Rathinree to victory over him at Fairyhouse for permit holder George Armstrong.

McGivern also enjoyed success for Bunny Cox, including aboard the hurdler and chaser Fort Fox, Paddy Prendergast, Dermot Weld and Noel Meade and won the 1979 Munster National on Kilcoleman for Billy Boyers.

After retiring from the saddle, he spent a number of years training in Maryland in the United States. More recently, before falling ill he had been working as a stalls handler back on home soil.

Father of Noel, Maggie and Katie, he is also survived by his sisters, Maura and Ann,grand-children Eva, Tom, Frankie and Zara, nephews Stephen, Barry and Emmet, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, brothers-in-law, relatives, neighbours and friends.

He will be reposing in Finlay's Funeral Home, Ardee tomorrow, Thursday from 2pm to 7pm. The family ask for everyone to adhere to the Government and HSE advice on social distancing, no handshakes etc.

Funeral Mass and burial will take place for Thomas for family only, and will be streamed via Drumconrath Parish facebook page on Friday at 11am.

Donations in lieu of flowers to Cancer Research Ireland, if desired.