from Galway City harriers It was with great sadness that we learned of the recent passing of Murt Hynes. Murt was a legend of the Galway City Harriers Athletics Club and of running and athletics in Galway. His working life was spent in the Department of Physiology at UCG, where many past students remember a well worn path to his office for athletics advice and knowledge. His friend Brian Geraghty has compiled this tribute to Murt below. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.
MURT HYNES
(1930 – 2008)
Murt died on the 4th day of October, 2008 and is survived by his wife Millicent, his son John and daughters Orla and Tara. His father was the legendary Tom Hynes, one of the few athletes who had a road named in his honour. Tom Hynes was the first winner of an Irish Marathon run at Jones Road, Dublin in May 1909 and retained his title the following year. Murt would have been the father figure in Galway City Harriers Athletic Club in the early 1970’s. In fact the club had become virtually extinct in the 1960’s as he and another athlete were the only members of same. He ran in excess of 30 marathons during his career and his best was in 1972 at the World Veteran Championships in Germany where he finished in 9th position in a time of two hours and thirty two minutes. He was the Irish veteran champion over the distance on two occasions and he won the veterans section of the then most prestigious road race in Ireland, the Quinlan cup in Tullamore.
A foot injury prevented him competing after his mid sixties and he then turned to cycling . He would cycle between 75 and 80 miles almost every Sunday, usually circumventing Lough Corrib.
This unassuming gentleman had time for everyone even when he was burdened with his own problems and there were many who sought and availed of his knowledge and expertise in dealing with and recovering from injuries. He would suggest a particular exercise to deal with a specific injury. Athletic pundits would seek his opinion on various matters pertaining to athletics.
His practical knowledge of physiology was second to none. He was before his time in that he was conducting physiological tests on the leading Irish athletes as far back as the late 1960’s early 1970’s.
A true family man with a love of nature and the wonderful attributes of integrity, honesty and above all, humility. He was happy to learn that his son John had carried on the tradition by completing the Berlin Marathon a week before his own death.
Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis
B.G.