Mayo GAA fraternity grieving the passing of Pierce Higgins

The death of Pierce Higgins, Esker Pines and formerly Ballinphuill, Ballyhaunis, is being widely mourned across the county.

A member of a prominent Mayo sporting family, the deceased, aged 45, was the inspiration behind the 'Hurling for Home' initiative last summer which raised a considerable sum for Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.

He is deeply regretted by his wife Clare, daughters Erin and Ellie, parents Pete and Kay, brother Keith and his partner Treasa, niece Ivy Marie, mother-in-law Noreen, father-in-law Peter, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, uncles, aunts, relatives and a wide circle of friends, to whom deepest sympathy is tendered.

GAA clubs and other organisations have been paying tributes to him on social media since news of his passing was announced yesterday.

Ballyhaunis GAA Club, of which Pierce was a long-serving and dedicated member, offered its sincere condolences and support to Pierce’s heartbroken wife Clare, his children Erin and Ellie, to his parents Pete and Kay, to his brother Keith, niece Ivy-Marie and to the members of the extended Higgins, Gallagher and Conroy families and wide circle of friends.

The tribute continued: "A winner of 14 county titles, Pierce also represented his county with distinction over a fourteen-year career.

"He was a member of the Mayo team that lost out narrowly to Carlow in the 2008 final of the Christy Ring Cup.

"Pierce was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2017.

"Despite the daunting challenges that he faced, Pierce’s unbending stoicism and radiant positivity have been an inspiration to all and especially to those closest to him."

Mayo GAA also joined in paying tribute to the deceased on its social media platforms, as did many of its clubs throughout the county.

During an interview on TG4 following Mayo's win over Roscommon the FBD League final last night, Mayo star Cillian O'Connor extended his sympathy to the Higgins family on their immeasurable loss.

Remains will be reposing at Donnellan's Funeral Home, Clare Street, Ballyhaunis, on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Funeral arriving to St. Patrick's Church, Ballyhaunis on Monday morning for Requiem Mass at 11 a.m. with burial afterwards in the local cemetery.

May his gentle soul rest in peace.