"Genuine” best describes lover of beautiful game" 

ON October 12 of 2004, following a tragic accident, Michael Woods, of 3, The Green, Ennis, sadly passed away. His death at a young age caused widespread sorrow and regret, among his large circle of friends and work colleagues. Testament to his popularity was the huge crowds that attended the funeral on both days.

A native of the town, Mikey was from Hermitage and was the youngest of a very well known sporting family. Although he was a lover of all sports soccer was his passion and nothing pleased him more than seeing the town or indeed the county teams performing well at the highest levels.

Even though his older brothers were talented and represented Clare, it was obvious from an early age that Mike was something special. His speed and ability to go past players with ease had various different managers clambering for his signature at the start of every soccer season.

His early years were spent with his local Hermitage club where he played up until youth level. He then played an integral part in the formation of a new junior club in the Clare League, namely Ennis Albion, where he enjoyed much success.

For a brief period, he played with Newmarket Celtic where he was part of the team that contested the final of the Munster Junior Cup, going down by a single goal against Limerick outfit Star Rovers in a match played in Priory Park, Limerick. Afterwards he returned to his roots at Ennis Albion where he finished his playing career. Ennis Albion has since amalgamated with Cloughleigh Celtic who continue to turn out successful teams to this day.

If it's possible to describe someone with one word, the only one to describe Mike is “genuine”.

In all aspects of his life he was honest and fair, whether that was at work at Element 6 (de Beers) or on the field of play, you never got anything less than 100%. When on the field of play he would never give up, regardless of how bad things were, going, but was always first to offer a handshake at the final whistle. Many a time he would have a pint with an opponent, less than an hour after a hard battle on the field. Sport indeed, as it should be played.

Although soccer was his first love and the all white, strip of Leeds United his pride and joy he hugely admired the Clare hurling team of the nineties.

While he loved the game and celebrated their success with the rest of us he would never travel to Croke Park, feeling that by doing so he was depriving someone of a ticket, but that never stopped him enjoying the games and he greatly admired the commitment and courage of those teams.

While his playing days were behind him, his love of sport continued and he was a prominent fixture at the Fair Green on Sunday mornings or in Cusack Park if Éire Óg were playing.

Always at his side were his two sons, Barry and Robbie, who he adored. He was a devoted husband and father, whose family took preference, over all other things and he took great pleasure in watching underage sport, where Barry and Robbie are both on the sporting ladder with An Boithrin, and Lifford FC in GAA and soccer respectively.

His, sudden and untimely death has left a void among his many friends that will prove impossible to fill. To his wife, Celine and his two sons, Barry and Robbie, we offer our deepest sympathies.

Ar dheis Dé go raimh a anam dilís.