Tony, sincere regrets to you and your family.
I've only gotten to know you through co-ed, and I can honestly say that I've never heard one person say one negative thing about you. You are all class, and that is also evident from your posts on
TTP. I don't think I have ever read someone take a malicious shot at you on this web site which is all about that, and you, in return, have never done so to others. To me, this speaks volumes about your character and how much people respect and admire you. You're always the cheerful guy who wants everyone to have a good time and to get along.
I never really knew Dom, but the more I hear about him from those who really knew him, I can see that you and he were very much alike. Awesome. Amazing. Admired. Him leaving us is a huge loss to all, especially those who were fortunate enough to be the special people in his life.
I remember playing against Dom for the first time last year, and I was really hyped to do so. Even though I knew Dom wouldn't approach the game like it was a World Cup qualifier, I still wanted to see how I'd fare against him.
Dom arrived late and didn't come on until the 2nd half.
Well, it came down to a one on one. I thought I was being clever by pushing him towards the cornerflag so that my team mates could get back. I was kind of hoping he'd take me on so I could see what he had.
We were on the right corner of the 18, and before I could react, Dom tapped it inside to his rightfoot, and in one motion curled it to the opposite top corner. The keeper only stood and watched. A team mate came over to me and laughed. "Holy ****! Did you see that?" Uh...yeah.
About 10 minutes later, he slipped away from me, and with a team mate draped all over him, he knocked in a header from 12 yds out.
5 minutes later, his left footed free kick from 20 yards whizzed past my head in the wall and rattled the crossbar, as the keeper again, could only stand and watch.
Left foot. Right foot. Header. He could score any way he wanted...and I could do nothing to stop him. Reality had set in for me.
Usually I would have been disappointed with my performance; but, after the game, I was too impressed with Dom's abilities to be disappointed, and I mean that sincerely. I told whomever I could, and I still do, that: "I once played against Dominic Mobilio. I held him to two goals and a cross bar...in 45 minutes of play!"
The fact that Dom was a greater man than soccer player is what truly makes this loss so difficult to bear.