From http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7011&Itemid=71:

Renowned Hollymount scholar dies in Liverpool

Michael Commins

ONE of Mayo’s most renowned scholars, Tom Reilly, formerly from Lehinch, Hollymount, has died in Liverpool. Tom was Professor of Sports Science and Director of the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences at Liverpool John Moore’s University. Such was his standing in Britain that he served as sports science consultant with the British Olympic Association from 1992 to 2002.

Tom and his brother Sean, who resides in Lehinch, inaugurated the annual Hollymount Road Races back in the 1960s and these have been staged each year since then. He retained a great passion for his home area and accompanied many fine athletes from the John Moore University to Hollymount every year.

He also retained a huge interest in GAA and especially his home club of Hollymount and, of course, the Mayo county teams. He looked forward with boyhood enthusiasm to his many journeys back to Hollymount.

Tom held a BA degree from University College, Dublin, a postgraduate Diploma from St Mary’s College (Strawberry Hill), an MSc from the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, (London), (1971), Phd from the Council for National Academic Awards, (1975) and DSc from Liverpool John Moore’s University, (1998). The DSc was awarded for his research work on circadian rhythms and exercise. He was awarded Doctor Honoris Causa from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in November 2001.

He was also Past President of the World Commission of Science and Sports and was a founder member of the European College of Sport Science. He was a former chair of the International Steering Group on Science and Football which is affiliated to the World Commission of Science and Sports and was also chair of the Scientific Programme Committee of the European College of Sport Science.

His professional awards included Fellowship of the Institute of Biology; and fellow of the Ergonomics Society and the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. He authored or edited 36 books, including co-authorship of ‘Science and Soccer’, first published in 1996.

Tim Cable, Director of Sports Science at the Liverpool John Moore University, in a special tribute had this to say: “Tom was unique. He was a very private man who was universally respected and admired by all. He was a deeply compassionate and loyal man, profoundly interested in the development of others before himself.

“His intellectual powers knew no boundaries, providing deep insights into the worlds of philosophy, literature and the use of English language. But, outside his family, his passions were science (particularly kinanthropometry - on which he completed writing a textbook in the last week!), Everton, football in general (many codes but mainly the round ball shape) and Ireland. He was a voracious reader and writer and his motivation and dedication to acquire and disseminate knowledge appeared endless.

“He applied his bountiful energy in the realm of academic leadership, both within and outside this institution. He was the first ever Professor of Sports Science in the UK, and helped forge the rich heritage of sport and exercise scientific study at Liverpool Polytechnic, LJMU and beyond.

“As his reputation of excellence grew, his influence extended nationally and internationally, leading many initiatives and effecting change in policy and practice in many esteemed organisations.”