Tom Kirby

Carrickman · 02-12-2008 08:05PM #1

I just heard the sad news of the death of Tom Kirby, any of you who knew him will remeber a lovley gentleman who attended tournments up and down the country, may he rest in peace. I first met Tom about 7 years ago at one of the Saturday evening tournments in The Horse and Jockey in Dublin an event he attended nearly every week and you could not meet a nicer man.

THE Professional Darts Players Association sends its condolences to the family of Tom Kirby, who passed away on Monday.

Kirby was the first Irish player to join the PDC, in 1993, and played three times in the World Championship and World Matchplay.

He also played at the 2005 World Grand Prix - a home appearance at the Citywest Hotel, close to his Kildare home - and four times in the UK Open, with the 2006 tournament to be his last televised appearance.

The 61-year-old has been fighting pancreatic cancer, and he passed away on Monday at Blanchardstown Hospital.

dartsfan · 02-12-2008 10:43PM

Yes, very sad news. Met him at the UK Open in 2005, always came across as an easy going, good-natured man.

RIP.

NeoRox · 03-12-2008 12:09AM

Sad news indeed. Lovely man. Met him a few times at the Tramore festivals and at various tournaments around the country. RIP

TedKelly · 03-12-2008 12:16AM

NeoRox wrote: »

Sad news indeed. Lovely man. Met him a few times at the Tramore festivals and at various tournaments around the country. RIP

+ 1. Wouldn't know him that well but played against him in small comps in Dublin. R.I.P.

Paddy Irishman · 03-12-2008 10:52AM

My first job was working in Toms local betting shop. I remember my first day on the job he walked in and I immediately recognised him from Skys darts coverage and said to my boss "Jaysus that's Tom Kirby, the pro darts player", I didn't know at the time that he was a local man. I was working away when out of the blue he came over to me, "hello there, your boss tells me you're a fan" and just started chatting away. A thoroughly nice gentleman who on that day when I was worried about making a mistake and getting everything right made my job that little bit easier. R.I.P

MBC · 03-12-2008 11:08AM

May he RIP.

dionsiseire · 03-12-2008 12:25PM

Didnt know Tom, but from the sounds of the above posts he was lovely, first irishman in the PDC, there's something that is his forever, part of a revolution in the game.

So truly he was an ambassador for irish professional darts

Kingp35 · 03-12-2008 01:28PM

I didn't know the man eitehr but I know that he was very well liked and respected, both as a man and as a player. Sad news indeed.

RIP

Double Top · 06-12-2008 06:46PM

I didn't know him myself but by the sounds of it he has a good man and great darts player. my heart felt regrets go out to him and his family.
May he RIP

MR TEE · 08-12-2008 09:53PM

I was saddened to read of the death of Tom Kirby. I knew Tom many years ago when he played regularly in tournaments all over Ireland. He was also a team mate of mine in the Dublin leagues back in the 80s. A true gentleman. My deepest condolences to his family.

Carrickman · 10-05-2009 03:58PM

nise gesture.

The Irish Matchplay Championship has been re-named in memory of the late Tom Kirby who was Ireland's greatest ambassador on the International darts scene since the foundation of the Professional Darts Corporation {PDC}.

Tom's family and the PDC have given their full backing for the Championship and the winner will be invited to compete in the World Championship in Alexandra Palace in London next December.

Snaggerman · 11-05-2009 09:00PM

+1 R.I.P.
Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most helpful, laid back, down to earth pros in the sport. Played with him many years ago at county level, he couldn't do more for the younger players finding their feet at the time. An absolute gentleman, will be sorely missed. Darts has lost a true ambassador.

Tom Kirby

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