Tributes paid to Mayo GAA stalwart on his passing
Warm tribute have been paid to Mayo GAA stalwart Bertie McHugh, Brookhill, Claremorris, whose death has taken place.
A leading figure in the development of Garrymore GAA Club over the years, he was held in high esteem in the county's Gaelic football circles and is a former president of Mayo GAA.
In a tribute, his club extended sympathy to the bereaved family on their loss.
It stated: "Bertie played for the Garrymore junior team in the mid-1950s.
"He became club secretary at the age of just 17 before he emigrated to America in 1961.
"While there, in 1963, his brother, the late Tom McHugh, who was club secretary at the time, wrote and informed him of the club’s intention to run an annual football tournament at Easter.
"Bertie organised the collection of funds towards the purchase of a cup, which would be known as the now famous “Exiles Cup”. This tournament ran for an incredible 50 years from 1963 to 2013.
"He returned home from America and led Garrymore to Mayo Intermediate Football Championship glory in 1969 and we have remained a senior Club ever since.
"He was instrumental in the development of the pitch and clubhouse throughout the 1970s and 80's.
"Bertie was ever present on match days and rarely missed a club or county game, home or away.
"He was inducted into the Mayo News Sport Hall of Fame in January 2020.
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
Mayo GAA has joined in the tributes to the deceased.
It said: "He was a lifelong supporter of Mayo GAA and rarely missed a game. Bertie’s son Danny is the current Chairperson of Garrymore. Bertie was also a former president of Mayo GAA.
"Bertie, was very highly regarded within Garrymore GAA and throughout the county.
"He held leading positions as part of management teams, administration and community improvement projects within the locality.
"Bertie started off the Exiles Cup, a competition which ran from the 1960s to recent years bringing teams right across the province each year. Bertie managed Garrymore for a number of years and won the Intermediate Championship in 1969."
He is sadly missed by his loving wife Teresa, daughter Mary, sons TJ, Danny, Joe and John, son-in-law Frank, daughters-in-law Catherine and Emily, Joe’s fiancée Mara, John’s fiancée Louise, grandchildren Dylan, Dayna, Ella, Charlie, Isobel, Erienne, Conàn, Dwayne, Kalel and Thea, sister Peggy, nephews, nieces, neighbours and a wide circle of friends, to whom sympathy is tendered.
Bertie was predeceased by his parents Delia and Tom, infant son Bernard, brothers and sisters John, Mary, Peter, Ita, Tommy, Mick, Paddy, Jimmy and Carmel.
Reposing at St. Colman’s Funeral Home, Lower James Street, Claremorris, on Monday evening from 5 to 7 p.m.
Removal from his residence on Tuesday morning to arrive for Funeral Mass at 12 noon in St. Colman's Church, Claremorris, with burial afterwards in St. Colman’s Cemetery.
May his gentle soul rest in peace.