Vale Tony Corcoran

Graham Mackie | November 12, 2023

I first met Tony when I arrived in Dubbo as a first year out secondary teacher at Dubbo South High in 1974 

South High also had a team in the Whitney Cup which was made up of Lloyd Keir and myself and the rest being school kids such as Wayne Munro, Mark Ferguson, Steve Wheeler and the Allan twins.

Tony was one of those classy left-handers who played the good ball on its merits and dispatched the bad ball to the boundary. He was always immaculately dressed, and his cricket was reflective of this.

He moved to Glen Innes where he was well known in the Stock and Station industry and later became Head of Elders - at some stage Tony also played for University in the Brisbane grade competition. 

I came across him again when I was playing for the Queensland Cricketers Club Over 40’s in Inverell - he opened the innings and did not realise I was opening the bowling - I bowled the first ball to him and we both started laughing I walked down the wicket shook his hand and finished the over.

Tony came back to the 70’s cricket reunion I organised in Dubbo in March and had a great time reminiscing about those good old days.

I also had a few art shows at Glen Innes Regional Gallery and Tony and Di came along to those where we had a few beers and then went out for dinner. 

I also used to see him at the cattle sales in Inverell where he was still wheeling and dealing long after retirement and where he was the “King” amongst other agents.

Sadly, he has now left us and am proud to say I have been a mate of his for nearly 50 years 

A great cricketing icon of the bush who was well respected by everyone who played with and against him. 

RIP Tony 

Graham Mackie

I was transferred to Dubbo High School in 1971 where I first met Tony Corcoran. It was decided that Dubbo High would enter a team in the Witney Cup competition the premier division in Dubbo cricket. Tony jumped at the opportunity to play with the students along with a transport business owner a stock auctioneer and a teacher.

Tony was not only a super batsman but had a wonderful demeanour. My memories are that nothing seemed to phase him whether he scored a century or a duck. (rare)

Tony was a great mentor to the young students with Paul Bourke and Graham Tink going on to have very successful careers in Sydney grade cricket along with Peter Orbell and Andrew Hamblin gaining CHS recognition.

Tony would have been a great asset for any Sydney Cricket team but like many others country life Dubbo then Glen Innes was for him where he could mentor kids on their cricket journey.

Tony will be sadly missed.

Peter Leslie 

During my final school years in the early 1970s, I had the opportunity and privilege to play with Tony at both club and representative levels. He joined our Dubbo High team when we first entered the Whitney Cup competition in 1971. We all knew he was a terrific player but as we got to know him on a more personal level his standing amongst all members of the team quickly grew. What a humble and talented cricketer he was! His achievements that season were impressive to say the least as we took out the premiership. Furthermore, we were teammates in the Dubbo First XI that won the Far West Competition after an almighty tough final against Wellington. Tony was also the NSW Country First XI team captain and unsurprisingly was named Dubbo Cricketer of the Year for 1971/2. 

The following season was just as fulfilling as the cricket and other life skills mentoring continued. As schoolboys we much admired Tony but with age and maturity we look back on how lucky we were to have the opportunity to meet and play with such a great role model. He was an excellent cricketer and equally nice person. If he ever came to Sydney to play, he would have made his mark and certainly fitted in easily to the strong culture of Saint George where both Peter Leslie (teacher at Dubbo High, team captain, former NSW representative who played in many premierships under the legendary late Warren Saunders) and myself played. From memory he was a true gentleman. This was quickly confirmed when we caught up at the Dubbo Cricket Reunion earlier this year. It was so enjoyable to chat after so many years.

Sadly missed.

May he Rest in Peace

Paul Bourke

Half a century later I still remember Tony Corcoran’s first game in Dubbo. It was for Coalbaggie on No 3 in the Sunday Dawson Cup. The wheat harvest was in full swing, so Coalbaggie struggled to get a full team. A rag tag group of three or four regulars, plus drinking mates, supplemented by a group of very young schoolboys made up the numbers. One only wonders what Tony’s first impressions were of Dubbo cricket. On winning the toss he opened the batting. I cannot remember the opposition, but he batted aggressively for a classy half century. This guy was a quality player. Within a week or two, unsurprisingly, he was selected to represent a strong Dubbo team in the Far West District Competition. 

In full flight Tony Corcoran was always entertaining to watch. However, his greatest contribution, in my opinion, was as a mentor to young players. Along with Peter Leslie, he played a major role in nurturing a group of young Dubbo High School players in the winning of the Whitney Cup competition in the early 70s. He played a similar role with a group of South Dubbo High students when they entered the Whitney Cup a few seasons later. I am aware that after he left Dubbo he continued to mentor and support emerging young cricketers.

I am certain that the Tony Corcoran innings, that Stuart Rowlands remembers on No 1 oval, was for Dubbo High. My recollection of the day was a pretty handy Newtown attack being taken to task by Tony Corcoran and a teenage Paul Bourke. In particular, Tony’s powerful driving down the ground was a highlight. The batting master class was not wasted on his young protégé who seamlessly adopted the same attacking strategies. A quick learner Paul Bourke went on to become a highly respected long term first grade cricketer in Sydney. In the 70s, country kids who had the opportunity to play with and against the likes of Tony Corcoran were always well prepared to take on the challenges of Sydney Grade Cricket. Tony Corcoran, great country cricketer, and terrific guy, will always be remembered positively. It was fabulous to catch up with him at the Dubbo 70s cricket reunion.

RIP Tony

Graham Tink

Tim Marshall, Tony Corcoran, Graham Mackie - Dubbo 70s cricket reunion

Dubbo 70s Cricket reunion