The Westmeath GAA community was plunged into a sense of deep sadness this week with news of the untimely death of former Garrycastle footballer, Enda Mulvihill.
Noted as one of the “most decorated, dedicated and loved” Garrycastle GAA club members, Enda (43 ), who resided in Clontarf, was husband to Ruth and the father of two girls, Emily and Ella.
Enda was a pivotal part of the Garrycastle team which won the Leinster senior club championship in 2011, the only time a Westmeath club has claimed that prestigious title. Garrycastle defeated St Brigid’s of Dublin in the Leinster final in December 2011 and progressed to the 2012 All-Ireland final where they were defeated by Crossmaglen Rangers following a replay.
A member of Garrycastle’s ‘golden generation’ of footballers, Enda won six Westmeath SFC medals with Garrycastle and was also part of Westmeath’s All-Ireland title winning U21 football panel in 1999.
Enda regularly excelled from his wing back berth and was a vital defensive player as Garrycastle achieved their first Flanagan Cup success in 2001.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser this week, Doron Harte who savoured numerous successful senior football championship campaigns with Enda, noted his former playing colleague’s “ultra competitive” nature as Garrycastle became a dominant force in Westmeath football in the noughties.
“Enda set the standards in training and instilled that ultra competitive edge which is needed if you are to be a successful team. He had a winning mentality and also played as he had prepared for games - with a positive mindset.
“Off the field he was always approachable, a ‘go-to-guy’ for advice and his words were always stamped with integrity. Thankfully, as a team, we were able to spend time with Enda at the club dinner dance and I will cherish that particular occasion as we reminisced on playing times past,” Doron stated.
Noting the unique bond of the Garrycastle playing squad which achieved six Flanagan Cup titles from 2001-2011, Doron described Enda’s death as being akin to “losing one of your brothers”.
“We are all truly heartbroken and our thoughts are very much with Enda’s wife and daughters, father, Colm, mother, Anne, brother, Colm and sister, Niamh, at this time,” Doron concluded.
