The life and times of Edenderry legend Mick Hughes (1913-1990)

Post date: Aug 10, 2018 11:13:1 AM

(Mick Hughes home on Benburb Street - Pic taken in 1911)

When the family moved back to Offaly they set up home at Killane, Edenderry. Their house is the current residence of Mr Kit O'Mara on what is known locally as 'The Back Road'.

Mick's wife Kathleen Murphy was from Francis Street in Edenderry and lived at the cottage beside where retired Credit Union manager Mr Larry McDonald currently resides. Ironically, this was also the first marital home of Willie & Stephanie Kelly whose son Derek won two county titles for Edenderry in 2011 & 2015. Willie himself is a five time county medalist with his native Walsh Island, the team Edenderry beat in 1936.

UNDERAGE CAREER:

Juvenile hurling was first played in Offaly in 1927 and Mick Hughes, alongside his future 1936 senior teammates Ger Cullen & Peter 'Leesha' McGlynn, played versus Clara in the North Offaly final. Mick played at corner forward and the sides were level at half time but Clara eventually pulled away and won the game 6-2 to 4-3.

In 1929 Edenderry reached the North Offaly juvenile final once again where they avenged their defeat of 1927. They beat Clara in Daingean 4-1 to 3-0 and advanced to the county final where they were beaten by Coolderry at Ballyduff. Mick Hughes was centre back on this occasion and the game was actually played on March 30th 1930.

In 1931 Edenderry's hurlers reached the minor final. They defeated Clara in the first round on a huge score-line of 9-2 to 3-0 with George Kane, Jack Kelly and Mick Hughes all displaying their talent to the full. The reds beat Tullamore in the semi final in Daingean on September 13th in what was described at the time as the finest game of hurling witnessed at this grade. The sides were level at half time 1-0 each but Edenderry held on in the second half for a one point lead 3-2 2-4.

October 25th 1931 was the date for the final and Edenderry took on Birr at Ballyduff but despite two goals from Mick Hughes, Birr ran out 5-3 2-2 winners.

1933 JUNIOR TITLE:

Edenderry maintained their senior status until 1928 but with the maturing of players like Peter 'Leesha' McGlynn, Mick Hughes and his cousin Willie Coyne the reds began to resurrect again.

In the opening round of the 1933 junior football championship Edenderry accounted for Ballycumber on a score-line of 5-2 0-2 before taking on Daingean in Rhode. Midge Cullen, a last minute selection, started the game in fine form scoring 1-1 while Mick Hughes at full back, 'Leesha' McGlynn at midfield and the veteran Paddy McCormack had splendid games for the reds. In the second half of the game Dick Hughes put the result beyond doubt when he scored a goal.

Edenderry beat Ballinagar in the North Offaly semi final before defeating Tullamore 0-5 0-0 in the North Offaly final. From this, the reds advanced to the county final where they took on Cloghan. Edenderry won the game 4-2 to 3-0 to capture the clubs second ever junior title.

The team on that occasion was as follows:

Josie Mooney, Peter Killally, John Hughes, Charlie Smith, Ned McCarthy, Mick Hughes, Pat Walsh, Paddy McCormack, Willie Coyne, Peter McGlynn, Paddy McGlynn, Kevin Kennedy, Ger Cullen, John Moore, Mick McNamee.

Subs: Daniel Dunne, Paddy Finn.

1935 ALL IRELAND SEMI FINAL:

In 1935 Willie Coyne and Mick Hughes became the first Edenderry men to reach an All-Ireland semi final when Offaly qualified for the penultimate round of the junior campaign. They played with Offaly during the winter league and were part of the side that defeated Wicklow by 22 points. They beat Kilkenny in the 1st round and faced Wexford in the Leinster semi final with Mick Hughes starring at centre half back.

Offaly qualified for the final where they drew with Dublin in Croke Park. The replay was played in Birr on July 14th and Offaly made no mistakes this time around winning 2-3 0-2. Mick Hughes and Willie Coyne were the only Edenderry men on the pitch on that historic occasion.

The All-Ireland semi final v Tipperary was played in Portarlington on September 8th and despite a goal from the penalty spot from Mick Hughes, the faithful county were beaten 5-2 to 2-7.

1936 - EDENDERRY'S 1ST SENIOR TITLE:

Edenderry reached their first ever senior football final in 1936 where they were set to do battle with Walsh Island, a team that had never lost a final. The reds beat Ballycumber in Rhode in the opening round and advanced to the semi final where they took on Tullamore, the reigning champions who had just dumped Edenderry out of the senior hurling championship at the semi final stage. Revenge was gained as Edenderry won the game 2-2 to 1-2 with Mick Hughes scoring a point and former Tullamore footballer and Clare native Mick Falvey starring for the reds.

Walsh Island led at half time in the final 2-1 to 1-3 courtesy of two goals from Tom Mulhall. In the second half Edenderry got down to business and with dominating displays from Mick Hughes, Peter 'Leesha' McGlynn, Willie Coyne, Kit Leavy and Willie Leonard the reds came back into the game.

Edenderry ran out winners on a score-line of 4-6 to 3-3 to capture their first ever senior football championship with Mick Hughes captaining the side from midfield at the age of just 23 years old. The Killane man had led by example and etched himself into Edenderry GAA history folklore forever more. Locals at the time remembered fondly that Mick enjoyed a pint after a game and was renowned for singing 'The Bold Fenian' as the night wore on.

REPRESENTING OFFALY:

In 1936 Offaly won the second division of the 1935/36 National football league in March by defeating Longford after a late goal by Edenderry footballer Willie Leonard. Mick Hughes was also selected on that team and went on to captain Offaly in their Leinster football campaign. Offaly trashed Westmeath in the first round 6-5 to 0-11 before accounting for Dublin in the second round. In the Leinster semi final Offaly fell to Laois with Mick Hughes playing at midfield.

In 1937, with Offaly now operating in division one, they faced the 1934 All-Ireland champions Galway in Tuam with Mick Hughes once again captaining the team. In a match v Mayo that same year Hughes and Peter 'Leesha' McGlynn were Offaly's midfield pairing and described by the press at the time as 'the best midfield combination in Ireland'.

CREATING HISTORY:

It was an historic occasion in the National League in 1939/40 when Offaly recorded their first ever win over Laois with Mick Hughes starring at full forward. In 1940 he also featured as Offaly recorded their first senior win over Wicklow with Mick scoring a goal. He was the sole Edenderry representative when Offaly defeated the Lilywhites in the next round, their first win over Kildare since 1905. The following winter he featured prominently once again scoring against Wexford and scoring vital goals versus Cork & Kerry.

When an Offaly select team played a star studded Sean McDermott's (Dublin) in 1940 Mick Hughes contributed 1-4 of his teams 3-8 and it was said he was playing some of the best football he ever played.

The last game on record of Mick playing for Offaly was in 1948 at the age of 35 when he played versus Dublin in the 'Cardinal Gilroy Trophy' in front of 2000 people in Edenderry.

FAMILY TRAGEDY:

1941 was a year of sadness for Mick Hughes and his family. His mother Margaret had passed away on December 29th 1940. Her passing came shortly after that of her brother Tom O'Mara of Mount Wilson, Edenderry who died in a tragic accident. Margaret was just 58 years old when she passed away as a result of TB. She was interred at Ballymacwilliam cemetery and telegrams of sympathy were sent from Offaly county board secretary Stephen Cloonan. On April 26th more tragedy struck the Hughes family as Mick's sister Mary passed away at the young age of just 25. Mary worked as a senior clerk at the shoe factory in Edenderry and was described as a woman with a deep interest in the Irish language and possessed a Fáinne, a pin badge worn which showed willingness to speak the native language.

Two years later in 1943 Mick's sister Rita died.

FACTORY FOOTBALL:

Having finished working with the Irish army, Mick Hughes joined the workforce at the shoe factory. His presence thrilled his colleagues during an era when inter-factory football was an at all time high. Other such prominent names to feature were the Bourke brothers (Carbury & J. Bourke played with Kildare), John Blong, B McGuinness, P Hope, Vin Kelly, A Dillon and C Leavy.

THE SENIOR FOOTBALL COMEBACK:

In 1946 Mick made a comeback and impressed at full forward in the opening round of the senior football championship scoring 1-2 while forming a formidable partnership with his younger brother Kevin, who also scored 1-2. In June 1947 when North Portarlington made their championship debut they came up against an experienced Mick Hughes who they simply couldn't handle. It was reported at the time that while Hughes may be classified as a 'veteran', it was difficult to know where Edenderry would find his equal and someone to replace him. It's said the ease at which he punched in goals and scored points in the game showed that he had lost none of his craft. In 1948 Edenderry defeated Rhode in the final of the 'Pat Larkin' Cup in which Hughes's accuracy from frees proved vital.

FAMILY LIFE & EMIGRATION:

Mick Hughes married Kathleen Murphy from Francis Street and the couple had five children, Donal, Mary, Niall, Kieran and Michelle. Mick's two eldest children Donal and Mary were born in Edenderry but Mick and his family emigrated shortly afterwards around 1950/51 to East Dulwich in London. Mick & Kathleen later moved to Majorca for a few years before returning to Bromley, London. Mick returned home regularly to Edenderry and sadly had to return home in 1984 when his brother John passed away. He was brought to the church in Edenderry the night of the Centenary All-Ireland final in Thurles between Cork and Offaly. Sadly, Mick's three sons Donal, Niall & Kieran have all passed away in recent years. Donal, the eldest, passed away in Majorca where he lived while Niall & Kieran both passed away in Norwich. His two daughters Mary & Michelle are both still living in England and their mother and Mick's wife Kathleen lived into her 90's but died a few years ago.

(Mick Hughes with his wife Kathleen and five children)

MICK HUGHES RIP:

The great Mick Hughes died on December 27th 1990 just two months shy of his 78th birthday. He was laid to rest near his home in London but his memory will live on forever among the Gaels of Edenderry. He will always be the first man to captain Edenderry to a senior championship victory and will be proudly remembered as Edenderry's first footballing superstar.

(Mick Hughes pictured with the Dowling Cup at the 50th anniversary of their 1936 victory. His brother Dick is also in the photo)

From left to right:

Back row: Paddy Tyrrell, Sean 'Hooper' Farrell (Chairman), Paddy Mangan, Sonny Dunne, Ned Walker, Pat Nolan (Secretary).

Front row: Jim Connor (W Island), Tommy Connor (W Island), Mick Hughes, Paddy 'Pounder' Gorman (W Island), Dick Hughes.