After leaving the C.B.S. in 1952, Tony worked for two years in the family business. He then went to U.C.G. to study Civil Engineering, before transferring to UCD where he added Mechanical and Electrical Engineering to his studies. After his graduation, his path had begun in earnest.

1958: Took up a position as a draughtsman with Unidare.

1961: Became Chief Draughtsman with Universal Fabrication Ltd.

1972: Successfully completed a four- year professional coarse with the British institute of marketing, simultaneously with a night Degree coarse in Mathematics, Economics and Statistics at U.C.D.

1973: Received his H.Dip. in education.

1974: Worked as a Planning Officer with the IDA.

1975: Transferred to the IDA overseas industries division in electronics .

1975: Conferred with honours M.B.A. degree.

Became Managing Director of the Irish Division of Getty`s Incorporated, which was taken over by Gould Incorporated in 1981 and later worked in the computer division of that company.

The highlight of his career was to come when in 1988, and coinciding with the launching of a development strategy for the Seafish Industry, Tony was appointed Chief Executive of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara.