Death of noted mayo sportsman

THE sudden death at his Castlebar home over the weekend of Tommy Derrig (68), a retired porter at Mayo General Hospital, has caused sadness over a wide area.

Tommy, a native of Rathduff, Balla, lived at Rowan Drive, Castlebar.

He was a noted handballer, a stalwart of Castlebar Handball Club, winning many titles and trophies over his lifetime.

In the words yesterday (Monday) of one grieving friend, Tommy was an all rounder in sport, playing Gaelic football, soccer and racquetball during various stages of his sporting career.

Tommy served for 40 years as a porter at Mayo General Hospital. Over the years he was kind and helpful to all he encountered.

On the administrative side of handball, probably the game he was most loved, he was a supreme organiser.

Tommy is survived by his wife, Margaret (Heneghan), and two children, daughter Pamela, son Thomas, and their partners, as well as an adored grandchild, Keegan, and two brothers, Seamus and Sean.

Burial took place today in the New Cemetery, Castlebar, following Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul at the Church of the Holy Rosary.