1. Early life

2. Revolutionary activities

3. Referee work

4. Death

5. References

Thomas Burke (17 February 1894^[1] - 29 August 1967^[2]) was an Irish revolutionary, sportsman and referee. He spent time in 10 British prisons for his revolutionary activities as the founder of the Drogheda Volunteers and a courier for Michael Collins during the Irish revolutionary period Burke played intercounty Gaelic football for Louth and refereed the 1928 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final. He was also an athlete.

Early life

Thomas Burke was born in Drogheda, Louth on 17 February 1894 to Christopher Burke, a clerk at the gas works^[3], and Mary Burke (née McQuillan)^[4]. He grew up living in Duleek Street West in Drogheda^[5]. His father Chrisopher died when he was twelve^[6] and he was raised from then on by his mother Mary.

Revolutionary activities

Thomas Burke was the founder of the Drogheda branch of the Irish Volunteers and was a courier for the revolutionary leader Michael Collins. He served much time in British prisons during the Irish revolutionary period, most notably Frongoch internment camp in 1916, where he captained a Louth side in a game of Gaelic football in the prison. When the truce to end the Irish War of Independence was signed in 1921, Burke was interned in the Curragh.^[7]

Referee work

Starting in 1924, Thomas Burke refereed four Leinster Football Finals in a row. 1928 his greatest year for refereeing. In that year, he refereed the Railway Cup final in March, the 1928 final of the Tailteann Games between Ireland and the United States in August, and the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final between Sligo and Cavan. That same August, Burke refereed the most important match of his career - the 1928 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final between Kildare and Cavan. This match was the first final where the Sam Maguire Cup was awarded to the victors, in this case Kildare.^[8]

Death

Thomas Burke passed away on 29 August 1967 at the age of 73 in Drogheda.^[9]

References

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• Grosse Pointe South High School
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• Grosse Pointe Yacht Club
• Grossera
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• Grosser Garten, Hanover
• Grosser Kurfurst
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• Grosser Schweizer Sennenhund
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