Michéal McTigue

It is with great sadness that Ballinderreen Hurling & Camogie Club report the passing of our president, Michéal McTigue.

Michéal represented our club at all grades as a player and served a multitude of other roles on the club executive and as selector or manager of various teams. He took part in every club fundraising activity and also represented the club in football and Scór competitions.

Michéal has the unique record of being the only Ballinderreen player to represent Galway at minor, under 21, intermediate and senior level. A truly incredible feat.

He first played for Galway in 1964 as a minor and it didn’t take him long to break into the senior ranks. He made his senior debut along with John Connolly in the Munster championship of 1967 playing against Clare in Ennis. John replaced the retired Jimmy Duggan and Michéal took the place of Gus Lohan (father of Brian) who had recently transferred to Clare. His senior county career lasted until 1974.

He won South Galway senior titles with Ballinderreen in 1965, 1966 and 1974 though a county medal eluded him. A brilliant defender, he was often sent forward as well to help a struggling attack as he did to great effect in our run to the final in 1978, scoring several goals from full forward.

He was also a talented footballer and won 3 South board junior titles with the big ball. He managed our minor’s to a county title in 1997, a team in which his son, Robbie, was one of the stars.

Michéal was a man of many talents. He was an accomplished singer and sang in Ballinderreen church choir. He could hold his own in any sing song with favourites like “The Rose of Avondale“ or “Galway Bay“.

His only county medal came from an unusual source, not on the field of play but on the stage. “Bachelors in Trouble“, a brilliant comedy written by the late Agnes O’Connor and starring Michéal and fellow senior hurlers Peter Larkin and the late great Joe McDonagh swept all before them in the Scor county final of 1974.

He starred in several other productions in the community centre in the 1970s, bringing the house down with his performances in many hilarious comedies.

His other interests included a love of greyhounds. A progressive dairy farmer, he loved attending agricultural shows such as the Balmoral show in Northern Ireland.

Michéal suffered a lot of ill health in recent years but always retained his good humour and sense of fun. He battled each adversity with fortitude and courage and never gave up right until the end. We’re sure that Michéal is taking his rightful place in that Ballinderreen team in heaven and meeting old friends Liam Shiels, Ciaran Jordan, Stephen Gill, Joe McDonagh, J.P.Bermingham, Patie Kelly and others.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Funeral arrangements are available at this link.

The pitch will be closed on Sunday as a mark of respect.