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Side 1 of this original recording was composed for the late and great Tommy “Fat Sam” Toal from Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, Ireland. It was written by Scottish actor, writer and composer of "These Are My Mountains" the late James “Jimmy” Copeland to honour Celtic for a football season (66-67) that saw them win a clean sweep of trophies. They had met several years earlier when they performed at the same event where the famous tenor Canon Sydney MacEwan, of Scottish/Irish parentage, had top billing. Interestingly, James was the father of renowned actor James Cosmo MBE of Braveheart, Trainspotting and Game of Thrones fame. The mighty Paragon 7 Showband from Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland, under the leadership of the late Jimmy Mackin, accompanied Tommy on both sides of the record.

Following its recording, the first public singing session of it took place in the Celtic Supporters' Social Club, London Road, Glasgow. The flip side has "An Exile Remembers" with Tommy singing "The River Shannon and "Mother Machree".

This video is a tribute to Celtic and to Tommy and is the original recording for a year when Celtic was surfing high on a crest of a wave of victory after victory, which culminated in the brilliant display that saw the late mighty 'Big Billy' McNeill MBE as Celtic captain lift the European Cup on 25th May, 1967, the first ever UK team to do so,

Tommy spent the 60s and early70s in Glasgow and ever the charitable man he helped countless Irish exiles via his management of Irish Clubs/Ballrooms, as a member of the Social Committee of Celtic Supporters Association, and also via his programme 'The Tommy Toal Show' on Radio Scotland in which he united "Both Sides" of the Irish Sea through countless requests. During this time, he was given and earned the moniker "Mr Showband" as the man responsible for promoting and introducing Irish showbands to Scotland, where many became household names and remain so to this day. Tommy was flown back over to Ireland as a guest on RTÉ Television's Showband Show in March 1966 and thanks to his herculean efforts, 3 months later The Mainliners with the late Big Tom McBride secured a spot on the show and found fame on Saturday, 21 May, when the late Larry Cunningham and Joe Dolan also performed.

On Sunday, 11 December, 1966, Tommy was the Compere at the 22nd Anniversary RALLY of the Celtic F. C. Supporters' Association held in The Odeon Cinema, Glasgow, where hit singers Adam Faith (first UK artist to lodge his initial seven hits in the top 5) and Peter Mallan ("These Are My Mountains" fame) who was a fellow presenter of Tommy's on Radio Scotland, topped the bill. The Guest of Honour was Celtic hero and veteran keeper Ronnie Simpson, who was celebrating his "21st Birthday" as a senior football player. Over 2,000 attended, which included all of the Celtic greats as well as invited guests Duncan Perratt (assistant general secretary of Rangers SA) and Bill McNaughton (social organiser of the Rangers SA). As Joe Sullivan wrote on celticfc.com, Ronnie's nickname ‘Faither’ implied "he was immediately recognised as the senior figure of the Celtic squad, one who commanded the respect of his team-mates, but who was also an approachable and encouraging presence, always on hand to give his advice. He was recognised as one of the Greatest Ever Celts by the supporters in 2002 and remained a regular at Celtic Park up until his death on April 19, 2004".

In the early 70s, Tommy and his wife Bridie, with their children, returned home to Ireland where they settled back in his native town of Castleblayney. He became a pioneer of Local and Community Radio in Ireland with his radio stations 'Radio Monaghan', 'Big M' and 'Hometown Radio', on which he presented his hugely popular ‘Anything Goes’ show on which many renowned Irish singers and bands had their first airing.

Many people turned to Tommy for help for many reasons and he never once turned them away.

Sadly, and tragically, on Sunday, 5th August, 1990, Tommy died suddenly on stage while drumming. Facing the Hope Castle where he was born, he was doing what he was born to do...entertain!. Thousands had gathered that day on the White Island for the Bank Holiday Weekend Muckno Music Festival where Tommy was also Master of Ceremonies. Such was the impact of his death that people still talk about it and can remember exactly what they were doing the day Tommy Toal died!

Ró-mhaith chun dearmad a dhéanamh riamh (Too Good To Ever Forget)

Enjoy! Hail Hail!

N.B. Take time to enjoy all the other YouTube videos with songs that honour The Bhoys, like The Celtic Song (1961) by Tommy's good friend the late and much celebrated "Mr. Celtic" Glen Daly    • Celtic FC Antehm - "The Celtic Song"   or    • The best "I just can't get enough" ev...   or check out    • THE BEST CHANTS OF CELTIC FC (With Ly...   or check out the many other Celtic tribute videos.