Story of Dublin's 'Blue Panther', Anton O'Toole, for TG4 screening
'Anton O'Toole - Finscéal de Shaol GAA' is a fast-paced one-hour bilingual documentary filled with nostalgia, rare archive footage and legendary songs. It tells the fascinating story of the much-loved ‘Blue Panther’ from his schoolboy career at Synge Street CBS to a giant of Croke Park and a legend in the game. Its strong emotional stories will capture the hearts of all viewers, in a journey that spans generations.
Anton O’Toole was one of the superstar players of the iconic Dublin football team of the 1970s. They transformed the sport in the city and sparked off a Gaelic football revolution in Ireland, with changes that cemented the GAA’s place at the heart of Irish culture. Anton’s story is told against the backdrop of historical events and gives insight into how GAA/sport relates to society in general including diversity and inclusion.
Mary Black, a friend of O'Toole's sang 'On Raglan Road' alongside his former teammates at the end of Anton's funeral Mass.
“I knew Anton before I was born,” Black said. “My mother and Anton’s mother were in hospital having their babies together, my eldest brother Shay and Anton and they struck up a great friendship”.
Anton O’Toole was born to play football. 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.
His remarkable story started at Synge Street CBS as a small-in-stature, quiet schoolboy. But that didn’t hold him back as he had an inner steel and an inner determination to be the best he could be. Anton’s story is a lesson for any young player in any sport that your character traits don’t have to hold you back. He would go on to be a giant of Croke Park and was loved and revered by everybody and despite his quiet personality, he had this magnetism that drew people to him.
Today Anton is in the role of honour at Synge Street CBS between former taoiseach Liam Cosgrave and broadcaster Gay Byrne, all past pupils of the college, such is the regard the legend is held in.
Jim Gavin, former Dublin footballer and (five-in-a-row) manager, said Anton was his sporting hero as a kid and as manager he called on O’ Toole to inspire his team:
“In the summer of 2018 we brought Anton out to one of our training sessions, at the time he was sick and it was good for him to get out and meet people and see the lads training, but probably more important for the players to see one of their heroes up front, we would have spoken a lot about the great 70s teams and the great 80s teams and reflect on those players that had gone before them”.
On the day, Jim told Anton: “The legacy you have left, the footsteps in the sand and these lads are trying to walk in the sand behind you, is outstanding”.
Ciarán Kilkenny, Dublin footballer who was present, O’Toole was an inspiration to him.
“That was a very special day we were all around Anton looking at clips and videos of games he played , he gave us a lot of inspiration because he was a true hero and a historical figure in Dublin football as the ‘The Blue Panther’. But thanks to Anton’s presence there that day, he provided us with great courage and confidence as we faced into the final that year (2018)”.
Eoghan O'Gara, Former Dublin footballer, Anton was a huge influence in his career at Templeogue Synge Street, and he was also present: “It was sad and emotional for all of us and for me to have my club man there, you could hear a pin drop”.
Eoghan O’Gara referring to when Anton was in the hospice: “I managed to get in to see him right at the end, it was important to me, I didn’t want the opportunity to go, I was going to really regret it if I didn’t say thanks to him and I got that chance….”
O’Toole was sporting hero to another big icon of Irish sport when he was a kid, Niall Quinn:
“Anton was a Southsider we all looked up to and said he’s our man,” “There will never be another Blue Panther.”
Roy Curtis, journalist also pays an emotional tribute to his friend: “I thought it was really interesting when I asked him what was the day he most cherished and most remembered, typically with Anton he chose the day when the stardust shone on others, 18th September 2011, when Dublin won the All-Ireland for the first time in 16 years.”
Former Dublin five-time All-Ireland winner including from the 2011 team, Denis Bastick was mentored by O’Toole at Templeogue Synge Street: “Through his help and dedication I was able to go on and achieve success throughout my Dublin career”.
Anton O'Toole - Finscéal de Shaol GAA, will be broadcast by TG4 on Thursday, 29th December at 9.20pm. Funded by the Broacasting Authority of Ireland.