Irish name Tomas Pleimeann Years Club Sport Hurling Galway titles 0 | Position Full-back Name Tom Fleming Occupation Painter | |
Thomas Aloysius "Tom" Fleming (11 January 1901 - 19 May 1960) was an Irish hurler who played as a full-back for the Galway senior team.
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Fleming made his first appearance for the team in the early 1920 and was a regular member of the starting fifteen for much of the rest of the decade. During that time he won one All-Ireland medal as Galway claimed their very first championship in 1923. Fleming was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.
At club level Fleming played with Galway City.
Club
Fleming played his club hurling with Galway City, however, he enjoyed little success during his club career.
Political difficulties led to the suspension of the club championship at the start of a twenties, however, Galway City reached the county decider in 1922. Tynagh provided the opposition on that occasion and went on to defeat Fleming's side.
Inter-county
Fleming was a key member of the Galway senior team during a successful season in 1923. That year Galway qualified for their first All-Ireland final in thirty-six years. After beating reigning champions Kilkenny at the penultimate stage, Galway now faced Limerick who were bidding for a third All-Ireland title in seven years. A high-scoring game developed, however, at half-time the sides were level. A hat-trick of goals by Leonard McGrath and powerful displays by Mick Gill and Mick Derivan helped Galway to a 7-3 to 4-5 victory. It was a first All-Ireland medal for Fleming.
Fleming was a key member of the team again in 1924. That year Galway reached a second successive All-Ireland decider with Dublin providing the opposition. Galway played with the wind in the first-half and led by three points at the break. Two goals by Dublin forward Garrett Howard and a great goalkeeping display by Tommy Daly ensured a 5-3 to 2-6 defeat for Galway. Kenny retired from inter-county hurling following this defeat.
After a number of years off the team Fleming returned at full-back in 1928. Galway reached the All-Ireland final for the second successive year with Cork providing the opposition once again. The westerners put up a stronger fight than the previous year, however, they still went under by 4-9 to 1-3.