The late Vincent Thompson was at the heart of the Blarney Street Athletic club

IT is with huge sadness the soccer community in Cork learned of the recent untimely death of one of Blarney Street Athletic’s great servants – Vincent Thompson.

He will be remembered as being an inspiration while keeping his club at the forefront of AUL football for many years. The Thompson family was steeped in the club, as Vincent’s father Paul was one of the founder members back in 1985.

Vincent’s two brothers – John and Tony also big love the sport are currently well-established referees in the local soccer leagues.

He started playing for the club in the year of its inception and lined out upfront where he proved to be a fairly prolific goal-poacher – notching a decent amount of goals from season to season until he called it a day back in 2000.

Vincent then turned his attention to the administrative side of the club as he became an unsung hero where he held and performed in every committee position possible to ensure the club would be managed in a proper and efficient manner.

And when the chips were down on a couple of occasions, Vincent was the man in the trenches who had the necessary courage and conviction to keep the club afloat in some difficult times.

Anthony Peelo, who played with Blarney Street Athletic when they won the AOH Cup back in season 2013/14 – for the first time in their history, said the victory was a source of great joy for Vincent Thompson.

“One of the proudest moments for Vincent was back in season 2013-14 when Blarney Street Athletic lifted the AOH Cup after a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over Kilreen Celtic following a closely fought final which ended as scoreless after 110 minutes of football in Turner’s Cross.

“The scenes of jubilation and joy that followed after the presentation of the prestigious trophy that evening was something that would always remain with him for the rest of his life.

“He was so proud of that achievement and spoke of it so many times afterward,” said Anthony.

Blarney Street Athletic went out of the AUL back in 2015-16 due to circumstances beyond Vincent’s control, but the love for his club never left him. 

I know it was one of his burning ambitions to get the Street back into the league again as plans were being put into place to make that happen when the season starts again.

I have no doubt that every effort will be made to make his wishes come true.

Once again, its farewell to one of football’s great people – may he rest in peace.