Baldwin, Conal
January 02, 2013Mourners at the funeral of a young Kilkeel boy heard how his life was "totally immersed in his love of Ireland and the GAA". Conal Baldwin (12) passed away suddenly on Christmas Eve after becoming ill.
During Requiem Mass at St Colman's Church at Massforth on Friday, the Very Rev Michael Murray told the packed church how the youngster's love of sport had defined him.
Conal, a pupil at St Mark's High School, Warrenpoint, played football with An Riocht, captained the Mourne U14 hurling team and played hurling for Down and Ulster. His father Joe, a
former Down hurler and manager of the Antrim Camogie team, mother Joanne and younger brother Darragh were joined by hundreds of people from the local community and the GAA.
A guard of honour was formed by team mates of the young players while a display inside the church showed Conal's hurling stick, boots, gloves and helmet, along with An Riocht, Antrim and Down jerseys.
There was also a scrapbook project in the church which Conal had completed in 2009, which described his dad as his hero.
The parish priest told mourners: "His life was totally immersed in his love of Ireland and the GAA. "He worked with his father in An Riocht, Ballyholland, Down and Antrim coaching camogie. He was a big hit with all the girls.
"His faith was important and special to him," mourners were told. "He could say the Hail Mary in Irish before he spoke English and that was when he was only two and a half." Father Murray continued: "He said his prayers every day and was faithful to his Mass where he served on the altar. He sang on his own at his Confirmation." Following the Requiem Mass, Conal was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
Mournes Sinn Fein councillor Sean Doran expressed his deepest sympathies to the Baldwin and Higgins families, whom he knows personally, on the death of their much loved son and grandson. "Conal was a well-liked boy who led a very active sporting life and will be greatly missed by all who knew him, especially friends and young team-mates," Cllr Doran added.
Moumes councillor Henry Reilly extended his sincere sympathy to the family.
"To lose a young child is a heart-rending and traumatic thing to happen and my thoughts and prayers, and I know those of the entire Moume community, are with Conal's family at this very difficult time," he said.
Courtesy of The Mourne Observer. Tweet
