'Numb with shock and sadness' - GAA and soccer clubs in Laois lead tributes on death of young star

Stradbally GAA and Stradbally Town AFC have led tributes on the passing of one of their young stars whose death they say is "devastating", and has plunged the "entire community numb with shock and sadness". 

The death occured suddenly Ciarán O'Neill, Kylebeg, Stradbally on Friday, January 2023 at his home. The passing of the son of Brian and Claire and brother of Emma and Ann has led to a poignant tributes from Stradbally GAA club and Stradbally Town AFC soccer club.

"Stradbally GAA is numb with sadness at the news of the passing of Ciarán 'Nelly' O’Neill, who passed away yesterday. A current player with our club, representing Stradbally at both senior and junior levels, Ciarán’s loss is deeply felt throughout the entire club and community. Ciarán was a Stradbally man through and through," it said.

The club outlined his contribution on and off the field of play.

"He played juvenile football with the club all the way up, winning an U13 Championship at just 11 years of age, and later lining out on the U17 team that reached the Championship Final in 2017 when he was only 15. He also played juvenile football with Laois. More recently, he was part of the Stradbally team that won the Division 5 League in 2024. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

The late Ciarán O'Neill in action for Stradbally against Darragh Galvin from Portarlington in the 2023 Laois GAA Senior Club Gaelic Football Championship. Pic: Denis Byrne 

"While he continued to play with the club, Ciarán was also a great supporter — always present at matches, backing and encouraging teams he couldn’t tog out for, and showing his commitment to Stradbally at every opportunity. His dedication, talent and presence will never be forgotten," said the club.

The club explained the impact of passing Ciarán, who also played soccer for local clubs, on the local community.

"The passing of a young man in his early 20s has left the entire community numb with shock and sadness. 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents, Claire and Brian, his sisters Emma and Anna, his grandmother Carmel, and his extended family, friends and teammates at this incredibly difficult time," concluded the statement published on social media.

Ciarán was also a loyal servant to Stradbally Town AFC whom he played for after rising to the ranks of T&S Utd soccer club. Stradbally Town paid tribute.

"Everyone at Stradbally Town has been left truly devastated at the news of Ciaran O’Neill's passing yesterday evening. Ciaran was part of this season's squad, and his loss will be felt deeply by his teammates, management, all our club members and our community as a whole.

"Having started off in schoolboys football with T&S United playing up through all the age levels he then progressed to youth team football with Stradbally Town where his goalscoring ability made him stand out immediately, and it was only a matter of time before progression to senior football. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Ciarán in action for Stradbally Town. Pic: Stradbally Town

"Ciarán had been playing senior football with us on both A & B teams for nearly 8 years now. He was always a great bet for a long range goal; he didn’t do tap-ins and could win you a game in a second. Earlier this season Ciarán grabbed a last minute winner against Lusk United to set us off on our current run into Leinster in this seasons LFA Shield. We will sorely miss and never forget Nelly’s talent, dedication and love for this club.

"At this time we can’t even imagine the pain Ciaran’s family are suffering," said the statement published on social media.

Stradbally Town extended deepest sympathies to his parents, sisters Emma & Anna and the extended O’Neill and Delaney families and Ciaran’s many friends both on and off the pitch.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.