Tom Aherne continued to visit Limerick regularly and remained healthy and active until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the mid-1990s.
10 Facts About Tom Aherne
1.
2.
Tom Aherne died in December 1999 at the age of 80 and was survived by his wife, Eileen, two sons, Pat and Brian, and three daughters, Maura, Trisha and Catherine.
3.
Tom Aherne was at Celtic during the infamous Boxing Day riot which broke out during a game against local rivals Linfield.
4.
However, in May 1949, Tom Aherne temporarily rejoined Celtic for their final tour before the club disbanded.
5.
When Tom Aherne began his international career in 1946 there were in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations.
6.
Between 1946 and 1953 Tom Aherne made 16 appearances for the FAI XI.
7.
Tom Aherne remained a regular in the FAI XI throughout the late 1940s and early 1950s and featured prominently in the qualifying rounds for the 1950 World Cup.
8.
The FAI selectors were not impressed and Tom Aherne was told a repeat would end his international career.
9.
Between 1946 and 1950, Tom Aherne made 6 appearances for the IFA XI.
10.
On 28 September 1946 Tom Aherne played for the IFA XI in a heavy defeat to England.