*Michael Hynes in action for Whitegate. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
AN OUTPOURING OF SADNESS has been evident across East Clare and the wider county following the sudden death of Michael Hynes.
Whitegate native, Michael died on Tuesday of this week having just turned 22 in January. A past pupil of Scariff Community College, he was in his final year of studying at the University of Limerick where he was due to graduate with a degree in business studies.
Known as Mikey, his family are popular and central figures of the community in Whitegate including his grand-mother Teresa Hynes, parents Declan and Annette along with sisters Katie, Alison and Corinna. Many of the family’s relations and connections in Belmullet, Co Mayo have also been paying tribute.
In Whitegate, hurling is the main tie that bonds the village, on the field Mikey was one of their star players. He was their top scorer in last year’s Clare SHC finishing their campaign with a personal tally of 1-30 across four games.
An ever-present at midfield in the Black & Red, Mikey’s displays last year for Terence Fahy’s side were central in them holding their own in a most competitive group, such was their grit and determination that they avoided competing in the relegation series which many had predicted they would be grappling in.
As an employee of Rodger’s Centra in the heart of Scariff, there was always a pleasant smile from Mikey for customers that passed through the door. Just last week, he noticed that an elderly lady was struggling with a shopping bag so he took the bag and dropped it down to their home, 200 yards from the store to make life easier for the local woman. The shop is closing as a mark of respect this Sunday (April 10th) from 1pm to 2pm.
He represented Clare at underage level and captained sides for Scariff Community College including the victorious senior side that claimed the All-Ireland C championship against St Fergal’s College, Rathdowney of Laois on a score of 5-10 2-11. On that occasion, he savoured in the success alongside his clubmates Ciaran Keenan, Donal Burke, Ciaran Quinn and Ronan Hayes.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Pat Burke (FG) noted the widespread devastation that has been evident across Whitegate and the entire county. “We’re devastated for the Hynes family, people are rowing in and the response from community is unbelievable from young to old. The Hynes’ are such a popular family in our community. From young to old, it has affected everyone here”.
As a neighbour of the Hynes family, the Whitegate representative was well aware of their input to the locality on and off the field. “Michael was a real genuine fella. His father is committed to the community and Michael is the same, they always knew to do the right thing in difficult circumstances. Michael took a man’s place at a young age, that’s the way he was brought up, he was a man ahead of his time, he so mature for his years.
Memories of managing Michael at underage level within the hurling club were also evoked for Cllr Burke, “Michael was a leading light in our hurling club, he scored 0-05 in the Clare Cup last week versus Tulla, he was always prominent, he was our freetaker since he came onto our senior team. He won’t be replaced, he is such a loss. He was a very clever young fella, he came from a very bright family, he excelled in primary school, secondary school and all the way into college, he was a perfectionist at everything he did in everyday life and on the hurling field”.
“Hurling brings everyone together in Clare like most hurling counties, there was a minute’s silence and flags at half mast before the U20 game on Wednesday night, that doesn’t happen for everyone. He played underage for Clare, he would go through a stone wall for you, I remember particularly managing him at underage for U12 and U14, we had him in forwards as our main man but if there was trouble at the other end, he was our go-to guy to shore up things in defence,” Cllr Burke stated.
In a statement, Whitegate’s senior hurling panel paid tribute to their late teammate. “To witness Michael play hurling was special. To play alongside Michael and call him one of us was even more special”.
“He brought immense joy to us as a group, both on and off the field. Notwithstanding his hurling prowess, Michael was a gentleman and a credit to his wonderful family. Our hearts are broken but as long as the black and red of Whitegate GAA is worn, Michael Hynes our teammate, our friend, our Mike will be remembered and honoured”
Hynes’ exploits on the field were also recalled by David Solan, county board delegate for the East Clare club. “Last year, he put a sideline cut over the bar against Inagh/Kilnamona inside in Cusack Park, if it was a county player that did it then it would have made the front page of The Examiner. He stuck over a free to draw a match for us too in another important, that was the type of guy he was, you couldn’t meet a nicer, quieter young fella”.
Solan said that the community was lost for words when it came to Michael’s sudden passing. “He never left the hurling field, if he wasn’t training he was practising his frees, he’d often be there with a bag of forty sliotars perfecting the art of freetaking”.
UL students were informed by college President, Kerstin Mey of his death in an email expressing her sadness at the news and her sympathies to his family, friends and classmates. Head of Department for the KBS Department of Work & Employment Studies, Dr Noreen Heraty stated, “It is clear from students and lecturers here at UL that Mikey was a well loved young man who was a joy to be around”.
Mikey will repose at the family home in Whitegate (V94 KH5X) on Saturday April 9th, from 12 noon with Prayers at 8pm. His funeral Mass on Sunday, April 10th takes place in St. Flannan’s Church, Whitegate at 1pm with burial afterwards in Clonrush Cemetery.
Members of the family have said that donations to Pieta House/Darkness into Light are welcome.
