The Panther Returns Golf Day 2024 Programme

BLUE PANTHER
SCRAMBLE

CHAIRMANS WELCOME
Dear participants, friends, and fellow
enthusiasts,
We gather here today on the greens, not only
to celebrate the love of golf, but also to honor
the indomitable spirit of Anton O’Toole—the
Blue Panther.
Anton’s legacy extends far beyond the
football pitch; it reverberates through the
hearts of Dubs and sports aficionados alike.
Anton O’Toole, as we all know, was one of the
superstar players of the iconic Dublin football
team of the 1970s and 1980s. His skill,
determination, and unwavering commitment
left an indelible mark on the game.
As he kicked points for fun on the football
field, he also later in life found joy navigating
the golf courses and race courses—his own
special way of connecting with the sports he
loved.
Today, we tee off in his memory, celebrating
not only his sporting prowess but also the
camaraderie he fostered. Anton’s influence
transcended boundaries; he was a mentor, a
friend, and a beacon of inspiration. His
footsteps in the sand guide us as we strive to
emulate his dedication and passion.
Let this competition be a testament to Anton
O’Toole—a man who wore the Dublin jersey
with pride, whose spirit soared across Croke
Park, and whose memory lives on in every
swing.
Of course, this is not only a golf competition
in honour of Anton, this is a fundraiser for
Templeogue Synge Street GAA club. So I thank
all of the teams entered today for taking part.
Your participation today helps fund the club
and our continued efforts with close to 2,000
players to develop the next Blue Panther or
Pantheress.
I also want to thank the Templeogue Synge
Street GAA Club Fundraising team, especially
Ben Mannering, Seamus McGrath, Matt O’Dell,
Brian Scully and Deirdre Devitt, who have
made today happen.
May the fair winds guide your shots, and may
Anton’s spirit walk alongside you as you
navigate the course.
Denis Boland
Chairman
So, swing those clubs with purpose, relish the
fairways, and remember that we play not just
for ourselves but also for the legacy of the
Blue Panther.

A note from Kevin Moran on time spent with “Tooler”
Kevin recalls the Dublin years in ‘70’s, when they spent so much time
together as a team, training and playing matches.
Standing beside Tooler for the team photo in 1976 - and they kept that
same formation for the coming years - not wanting to change their winning
formula! It was the same in the dressing room says Kevin - everyone had
their own seat. When Kevin came in as the new guy, he remembers sitting
down in the first empty seat and Paddy Reilly telling him to move because
“it was his seat” Then moving to the next only to be told to move again -
not by Tooler though! Brian Mullins eventually coming to his rescue,
grabbing him by the scruff of the neck over to the other side of the
dressing room saying “come over here, I’ll look after you!”
The trip to Chicago in ‘77 for the All-Stars, when Kevin, Tooler and Dave
Hickey drove the Coast from San Fran to LA - which was very
“interesting”, says Kevin.
One thing Kevin gives all credit to Tooler for - introducing him to Mulligans
Pub in Poolbeg Street. Tooler’s favorite boozer was to become Kevin’s
favorite boozer, and it still is to this day.. “a genuine Synger and Dublin
GAA haunt” says Kevin.
Dublin All-Ireland Senior Football Champions 1976
Anton and Kevin outside
Anton’s home in Vincent St
‘76/’77

Cian Murphy
(TSS) & Communications Manager, GAA, Croke Park
Anton altered my path on and off the field. But that’s not what
was important. Any time and every time you met him, Anton just
made you glad you were alive.
It’s hard to put a finger on what it was exactly. He was shy and
would run a million miles away from smoke blowing and back
slapping. Yet at the same time, he was magnetic in that people
were drawn to him, the easy smile and the good humour, selfdeprecating
and honest. Anton would put you in good form, for
no other reason than you bumped into him.
He brought out the best
in everyone ...
Dave Hickey
Dublin team-mate
"Anton is actually the reason
why we decided to take up
football. "He had such an impact
on our lives that wherever we
went, we were always
introduced, not as Niamh or
Laura, but as Anton O'Toole's
nieces.
"He was always so encouraging
and loved watching us play in
matches. He gave us so much
praise and made sure his passion
for the game rubbed off on us."
Niamh and Laura Leacy
“The legacy you have left,
the footsteps in the sand
and these lads are trying to
walk in the sand behind
you, is outstanding,”
said Jim Galvin
Former Dublin GAA Manager
Former Dublin five-time All-Ireland winner &
TSS Player
Denis Bastick
“Through his help and dedication, I was able to go
on and achieve success throughout my Dublin
career,”

Q&A with Nuala Leacy, Anton’s sister
Q. Did Anton get nervous before a match?
A. He used to get very nervous, but quietly nervous, he would just want to go and play and get it
done. You couldn’t talk to him at all, my friends used be calling to the door asking “Is Anto here?”
and they’d be shoo’d away. I was 10 years younger and that was a lot at that age but I knew not to
tread on his toes, but I always looked up to him because he was such a fantastic brother who would
do anything for anyone
Q. What routines were there pre-match?
A. Well my mother used to flap around him, non-stop! She would make sure he ate well - he’d have
the T-Bone steak and we’d be on the sausages and mash! She pulled out all the stops to make sure
he had everything he needed - and it worked obviously!
Q. If you were to ask Anton, Synger or Dublin, what would he say?
A. He was super-proud of Synger and he was always asking after Eoghan and Denis and how they
were getting on. Even when he was sick, he’d be inquiring after them and their progress. Then there
was Dublin, which he loved with passion. He especially loved when they’d beat Kerry - that rivalry! A
lot of Anto’s team-mates are still in touch - they were all super-close over the years.
Q. Have you any funny memories of going to Dublin matches?
A. We used to go to all the away matches... in Mary’s Mini! Mam, Dad, me, my brother Peter -
sometimes there would be four of us in the back of the Mini.. it woudn’t happen thesedays! Dublin
were only emerging back then, so the away support was very important. Ahead of the big matches,
there would be a great atmosphere locally, all the neighbours and shopkeepers asking after him, the
loved the buzz of the Dubs and their very own local Dub- he would be hounded, but he would pay no
heed.
Q. Seeing as there’s been mention of pubs, what’s your favorite Nuala?
A. Well Anto introduced me to Mulligans too, after the matches we would go straight there and meet
all the Synger crew and the Dubs - there’s a lovely photo of him in there now. I also like Devitt’s
and Cassidy’s, mind you, as do my gaelic loving twins - Laura and Niamh - who are in Oz at the
moment and really missing their football!

Blue Panther
Team Information
Format: Scramble
strokes competition
each players tee shot
must be used 3 times
(initial card)
Chosen ball must be
played first (as lies)
Chosen ball should be
marked by a tee and all
other balls placed within
6 inches (not nearer the
hole!) On green balls
must be placed within 3
inches of chosen ball (no
closer to the hole!)
Registration: 1.30pm
Check-in at Caddy’s desk
Tee time for all: 2.00pm
Staff will direct to tee box

W E L C O M I N G T H E T E A M S P L A Y I N G
T O D A Y I N O U R 2 N D
BLUE PANTHER
SCRAMBLE
L I A M H O L L A N D & T E A M
P A D D Y A N D R E W S &
T E A M
J O E O ’ R E I L L Y & T E A M
N O E L C A R R O L L
P L A T I N U M P A P E R
K E I T H D U F F Y
& T E A M
D A V E F I T Z P A T R I C K &
T E A M
R O B E R T T A L L O N &
T E A M
D A N N Y O ’ R E I L L Y &
T E A M
T H E T W O S I S T E R S ,
T E R E N U R E
S H A N E M C E L L I G O T T &
T E A M
G A B R I E L L E R U A N E &
T E A M
S E A M U S M C G R A T H &
T E A M
D E N I S B O L A N D
D A R R E N B O Y D & T E A M
A L A N O ’ B R I E N & T E A M
D E N I S B A S T I C K
D A V I D C O N N O L L Y &
T E A M
D A N N Y K E L L Y
K E A L Y T R A N S P O R T
G R E G E D W A R D S , P J
E D W A R D S
T E E T H E M H I G H A N D L E T T H E M
F L Y , T H E R E A R E N O B U N K E R S I N
T H E S K Y !

E V E N I N G E N T E R T A I N M E N T
BLUE PANTHER
SCRAMBLE
O P E N T O A L L M E M B E R S
P R E - D I N N E R
D R I N K S
6 . 3 0 P M
D I N N E R
7 . 0 0 P M
L I V E S C R E E N
1 9 7 6 A L L - I R E L A N D
S F C F I N A L
D U B L I N V S . K E R R Y
R A F F L E

R A F F L E P R I Z E S
BLUE PANTHER
SCRAMBLE
€ 5 0 G I F T V O U C H E R
T W O S I S T E R S , T E R E N U R E ( 2 )
4 B A L L R A T H F A R N H A M G C
C O U R T E S Y O F P R O - C O R M A C H E N N E S S Y
€ 5 0 G I F T V O U C H E R
D E V I T T ’ S , C A M D E N S T R E E T
4 B A L L G R A N G E G C
F I V E F A R M S I R I S H C R E A M L I Q U E R ( 2 )
G O L F B A L L S C O U R T E S Y O F C O R M A C H E N N E S S Y
P R O - R A T H F A R N H A M G C
B O T T L E S S P I R I T S / W I N E
T S S G E A R C O U R T E S Y O F N I A L L S C U L L Y , M F C
S P O R T S
G O L F U M B R E L L A ( 2 )

W I T H T H A N K S T O O U R S P O N S O R S
F O R T H E I R S U P P O R T
T E E B O X S P O N S O R S
H O L E
B I J O U 1
S K E L L I G 6 1 8 D I S T I L L E R Y 2
T H E T W O S I S T E R S , T E R E N U R E 3
M I L K B O T T L E L A B S 4
F B D 5
A M A Z O N S B E A U T Y C L I N I C 6
P E G G Y K E L L Y S 7
T O R M E Y C R A S H R E P A I R S 8
O ’ D E L L I N D G A R D E N D E S I G N & B U I L D 9
F I V E F A R M S I R I S H C R E A M L I Q U E R 1 0
B R O D E R I C K B R O T H E R S 1 1
C R O W L E Y M I L L A R S O L I C I T O R S 1 2
M F C S P O R T S 1 3
B R A Z I L F I N A N C I A L 1 4