Just before 3pm on Monday, Tony called Liveline and spoke to Philip Boucher Hayes. By the time 3pm came around, everybody listening was wishing Tony had picked up the phone earlier that afternoon. As well as his First Communion tale being comedy gold, Tony was a genuine charmer and while Philip struggled to keep a straight face, the Liveline host couldn't hide his disappointment at only getting three and a half minutes to listen to him.
"My Communion Day was very happy and following, very sad."
Tony's Communion Day was back in 1955. He lived in a cottage three miles from the church and his family had no car. The farmers next door always gave whoever was making their communion a lift to the church. So Tony was sitting at home in his new suit waiting for his lift, while his family walked down to the church, when the neighbour came in and told him that the car wouldn't start. That's when the services of Paddy the horse were called upon.
"Sure he was a great old horse altogether. He'd nearly go faster than the car, actually."
Have a listen to all three and a half minutes of Tony's conversation with Philip – you'll be glad you did.
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