TOM TIERNEY, A FORMER RUGBY PLAYER FOR IRELAND and a coach for the women's national team has passed away at age 46.
The former Ireland scrumhalf won eight caps for his country and started four games in the 1999 World Cup.
He spent his career playing club rugby for Richmond, Garryowen, Munster, Galwegians, Connacht, and Leicester.
Tierney would continue to involve himself in all things rugby when he retired from playing the game.
Our thoughts are with the family of Tom Tierney at this difficult time.
May he rest in peace.— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 24, 2023
The Limerick native held head coaching roles with sides such as Crescent College Comprehensive SJ, Garryowen, Cork Constitution, and the Ireland Club XV side during his career.
In 2014, Tierney was named head coach of the Ireland women's team and a year after he led Ireland to the Six Nation title. He and the team were denied a Grand Slam because they lost to France in the final game that year.
After a poor 2017 World Cup campaign Tierney stepped down from position but remained with the IRFU and worked with the Irish men's Under-20 and U-19 teams.
His most recent role as IRFU National Talent Coach had seen him based out of Munster Rugby’s High-Performance Centre since 2021, working with some of the best young players in Munster's Academy.
IRFU 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 scrumhalf 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.”
Munster Rugby CEO, Ian Flanagan added, “On behalf of Munster Rugby, I would like to express our deepest condolences to Tom’s wife Mary, daughters Isabel and Julia, and the wider Tierney family.
"We are shocked and deeply saddened by Tom’s sudden passing. A great servant to Munster and Irish Rugby he will be dearly missed. The younger players and his colleagues in the HPC enjoyed working closely with Tom each day as he brought a great energy and unique personality to his role, always ensuring the future of Munster Rugby was in safe hands.
"May he rest in peace."
Belfast , United Kingdom - 26 August 2017: Tom Tierney Ireland head coacht. (Photo By Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile via Getty Images)