HUNDREDS OF mourners turned out to St. Clement’s Church, Cloughbawn on Saturday for the Funeral Mass of hurling legend Tim Flood.

Mr. Flood (87), one of the last few remaining survivors from the great Wexford hurling team of the 1950s, passed away peacefully on Thursday at Wexford General Hospital.

He first came to prominence in 1949 with his beloved parish Cloughbawn and went on to win three All-Ireland medals for his county in 1955, ‘56 and ‘60, widely regarded as the Christy Ring of Wexford hurling forwards.

Mr. Flood’s son, Seán, inherited his passion and skill for the game and played on the last Wexford team to win the All Ireland hurling championship in 1996.

An avid musician, Tim was the mainstay of the well-known Castleboro Ceili Band while, following his retirement from hurling in 1962, he was heavily involved in sheepdog trials.

He represented Cloughbawn, Wexford, Leinster and Ireland on numerous occasions, appearing on TV shows such as the BBC’s ‘One Man And His Dog’.

At his Funeral Mass, a Guard of Honour by Cloughbawn GAA, county teams and sheepdog enthusiasts flanked Mr. Flood’s coffin as he made his final journey.

Speaking in his homily, Chief Celebrant Rev Mgr Joseph McGrath said Mr. Flood would be remembered as part of a group of men who greatly influenced Co. Wexford.

“Their hurling prowess and humble acceptance of victory and defeat lifted the people off their knees,” he said.

Full coverage in this week’s paper