A close-knit community in Co Laois has been left devastated following the sudden death of a young GAA player whose “dedication, talent and presence will never be forgotten”.
Ciaran ‘Nelly’ O’Neill, 23, from Kylebeg in Stradbally, died suddenly at his home on Friday, 23 January, reports The Mirror.
A former pupil of St Colman’s NS in Stradbally and Portlaoise CBS, Ciaran was a highly talented sportsman who played junior and senior Gaelic football with Stradbally GAA club and represented Laois at all levels up to and including minor.
Stradbally GAA said Ciaran’s sudden passing “is deeply felt throughout the entire club and community” as it shared an emotional tribute to the gifted athlete, reports The Mirror.
“Stradbally GAA is numb with sadness at the news of the passing of Ciarán “Nelly” O’Neill,” the club said in a statement shared on social media, reports The Mirror.
“A current player with our club, representing Stradbally at both Senior and Junior level, Ciarán’s loss is deeply felt throughout the entire club and community,” reports The Mirror.
“Ciarán was a Stradbally man through and through. 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,” reports The Mirror.
“The passing of a young man in his early 20s has left the entire community numb with shock and sadness. 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,” reports The Mirror.
“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,” reports The Mirror.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis,” reports The Mirror.
Ciaran was also an accomplished soccer player who played at juvenile level with T&S United, helping the club secure league and cup titles before progressing to senior football with Stradbally Town, reports The Mirror.
The Laois soccer club also paid tribute to the young sportsman, announcing that Sunday’s Counties Cup match had been postponed as a mark of respect.
“Everyone at Stradbally Town has been left truly devastated at the news of Ciaran O’Neills passing,” the club said, reports The Mirror.
“Ciaran was part of this seasons squad and his loss will be felt deeply by his Team-mates, Management, all our club members and our community as a whole,” reports The Mirror.
“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,” reports The Mirror.
“Ciaran had been playing senior football with us on both A & B teams for near on 8 years now,” reports The Mirror.
“He was always a great bet for a long range goal, he didn’t do tap in’s and could win you a game in a second. Earlier this season Ciaran grabbed a last minute winner against Lusk United to set us off on our current run into Leinster in this seasons LFA Shield,” reports The Mirror.
“We will sorely miss and never forget Nelly’s talent, dedication and love for this club,” reports The Mirror.
“At this time we can’t even imagine the pain Ciaran’s family are suffering,” reports The Mirror.
“To his Parents Claire & Brian, his sisters Emma & Anna, his Granny Carmel, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins and the extended O’Neill and Delaney families and Ciaran’s many friends both on and off the pitch we extend our deepest condolences at this testing time. Our thoughts & Prayers are with you all,” reports The Mirror.
“Rest Easy Ciaran, Forever Young. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,” reports The Mirror.
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