The late Hughie Smith: a competent footballer and wonderful character
There was widespread shock and sadness at the sudden and untimely passing of Ballynacargy man, Hughie Smith, on Sunday, June 2, following a short illness.
Hughie (74) resided in Yonkers, New York, but the Smith family are synonymous with Ballynacargy and they were residents of Ballysallagh for many years, having moved there from Curlough, Cavan in 1960 under the Land Commission scheme.
Hughie moved to Ballinamore, Leitrim in 1966 to serve as an apprentice carpenter with his cousin John Smith at the joinery shop in High Street. He also worked as a dairy farmer in Ballysallagh with his late father, John, one of the great characters of the area. Hughie ran the farm at Ballysallagh for over a decade and remained at the helm following his father’s passing.
However, he was a qualified carpenter and in 1972, along with a group of friends, left for America to broaden his horizons. He worked initially in the Bronx and went on to build a very successful career. He made his home in 'The Big Apple' and for the last 20 years, worked in maintenance for the Burke Rehab in White Plains.
It was in America that he met his future wife, Sheila Sheridan and he returned to Ireland to get married in her native Mayo.
Hughie played football for the Ballynacargy club for many years, often returning home from America for games. He was remembered by colleagues from his era as being a strong, competent footballer, playing at centre forward with Ballynacargy. “He was a class forward, a great man to get a ball and a great man to deliver it. He had all the touches, and was as good as any player of his era,” one playing colleague recalled this week.
Like many, he played for little reward, but was part of a fine Ballynacargy team in the early 1980s that almost progressed to senior level. They came very close in 1981 with a fine team, losing out to Milltownpass in the decider (2-6 to 1-5).
GOLFER
But it was while in Ballinamore that Hughie really made his mark as a footballer. He played minor football for the club in 1966 and progressed to play with the senior side in 1967, lining out alongside some of the club’s most renowned players.
He went on to win three senior titles in-a-row in ‘67, ‘68 and ‘69, while he also captured five league titles between ‘67 and ‘72. He won another senior championship title in ‘72. Hughie and the three in-a-row winners enjoyed a memorable trip to New York and Boston in 1969, an occasion that was fondly recalled this week.
A dual star, Hughie represented Leitrim at senior level in both football and hurling and won a senior hurling title with the St Brigid’s club in 1971. He was also an avid golfer and a member of the Cavan Golf Club and JP Clarkes.
He was a talented sportsman and remembered as a very competent darts player by his many friends in Ballynacargy. Moreover, he was a wonderful character and neighbours in Ballysallagh recalled him with great fondness, noting how he was always very helpful, generous and obliging. He was a devout Catholic, a true family man, a loving husband and loyal friend.
Hughie enjoyed returning home, especially around All-Ireland final time when he would reacquaint himself with old friends. The Galway Races were another of his favourite annual sporting events and he has a great grá for Irish music and dancing. ‘The Gallant John Joe’ was one of his many favourite Irish tunes.
Remarkably, the Ballinamore club trained in Moynihan Park, Ballynacargy in recent years and the new section of land at the back end of the main pitch was acquired from Hughie and is now a very crucial training pitch, greatly enhancing the club’s facilities.
Hughie is survived by his wife Sheila; sisters Mary, Lena, Pauline and Patricia; brothers Paddy and Johnny; sister-in-law; brothers-in-law; nephews, nieces and a wide circle of relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Anne (Cissie).
A Funeral Mass will take place in New York (St Barnabas Church, 409 E 241st St, Bronx) on Saturday, July 8 at 11am. Hughie’s remains are to be repatriated home to Ballysallagh, Ballynacargy, with burial to take place in Sonna Cemetery.
I líonta Dé go gcastar sinn.