Heartbroken neighbours have said ‘the village is a darker place’ following the gifted sportsman’s shock death earlier this weekJack WhittyJack Whitty

A tight-knit community in Co Wexford has been plunged into the mourning following the sudden death of a talented teenage athlete who represented his county on the national stage.

Jack Whitty, 19, from Taghmon, passed away on Tuesday, leaving his friends and family heartbroken. A death notice shared on RIP.ie remembered Jack as the “cherished son of Evelyn and Willie, dearly loved Brother of James and Jalaya and adored grandson of Joan and the late James.”

The notice added that the gifted young athlete will be “sadly missed and loved by his heartbroken family his auntie Joanne and uncles PJ, Kevin and Aidan, extended family and friends.”

Jack was a hugely talented handball player who won a number of county, provincial and national titles at juvenile level, while he also proudly represented Wexford at national tournaments at underage level.

Jack, who finished his Leaving Cert studies at Colaiste Abbain in Adamstown last year, was a member of Taghmon Hand Ball Club, who have lead tributes to the hugely popular athlete, who they hailed as “a truly beautiful soul”.

“We are deeply saddened by this loss. A very sad time in our village,” the club said in a statement.

Jack was a champion handball player at juvenile levelJack was a champion handball player at juvenile level

“Our thoughts are with Evelyn, Willie, James, Jaylaya, and the extended Whitty family & friends during this incredibly difficult time. Jack, may your gentle soul rest in peace.”

The social media post was met with an outpouring of support from Jack’s friends, fellow club members and competitors, with mourners hailing the young sportsman’s talent on the court as well as his kindness off it.

One person wrote: “Jack was a very fine handballer who won several county, provincial and national titles in his juvenile career. But despite operating at such a high level, the smile never left his face. He demonstrated sublime sportsmanship at all times and was a shining example to all of his peers. We extend our sincerest sympathy to his family and friends. Rest in peace Jack.”

Another added: “So very sorry to hear this very sad news. He was a lovely person and had a great attitude to handball and was very skilful. May his family and friends and club mates have the strength to get through this very sad time and may he rest in peace.”

A third said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Jack’s family, friends and everyone in Taghmon Handball Club. A great competitor on the court who our players had many a battle against over the years. Rest in peace Jack from all in Talbots Inch Handball Club.”

While a fourth mourner wrote: “Our club competed in the leinster final of the 60×30 interclub against taghmon in 2023 and Jack was part of the team. A lovely chap and a good player. Deepest condolences to his family, friends and clubmates. May he rest in peace. Kells Handball Club Kilkenny.”

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Jack’s death has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community of Taghmon, with a neighbour saying that “the village is a darker place without his bright smile”.

“We are all in shock at the loss of Jack Whitty,” Alice Brady’s pub said in a message shared on social media.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Evelyn, Willie, James, Jayla and the extended Whitty family. Truly a loss of a lovely young man.

“As a mark of respect to the family bingo is cancelled this Friday night.”

Jack will lie in repose at his home from 4pm to 8pm on Friday. Removal on Saturday to St. Fintan’s Church, Taghmon arriving for funeral mass at 12 noon followed by burial in St Fintan’s Cemetery.

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