Long, James
June 30, 2012Thirteen year-old James Long, who died from a suspected asthma attack after scoring a winning goal in a hurling has been buried in his Sporting Limerick jersey.
The teenager who scored the crucial goal for local his local hurling side in a championship game, died hours later from a severe asthma attack.
Over 1,000 people turned out on Sunday to pay their respects to the family of the teenager who was originally from Quinn's Cottages, Rosbrien and had been living in Kilmallock since the age of six.
The congregation heard how the day of his funeral was also "his spiritual birthday" because on the same day 13 years ago James was baptised in the Dominican Church in Limerick.
"Joys and sorrows live next door to one another and no life can ever be a complete fairytale, even for the young," said Canon Willie Fitzmaurice, PP, Kilmallock, who concelebrated the funeral Mass at Saints Peter and Paul's Church, Kilmallock, with Fr Gerard McNamara, PP, Bulgaden.
Canon Fitzmaurice spoke of the ease at which James had adapted to country life after his move to Kilmallock from the city.
"He loved sports - hurling and soccer, loved the outdoor life, loved nature, walking the greyhounds with a neighbour. He easily adapted to country life after the confines of city life since he came out here about six years ago," Canon Fitzmaurice continued.
As a mark of respect for the popular hurler, there was one minute's silence at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening at the beginning of Limerick's game in the qualifiers against Laois.
Mourners at the funeral - including Munster Council vice-chairman Robert Frost, chairman and secretary of Limerick GAA County Board, Liam Lenihan and Mike O'Riordan, and Limerick senior hurlers Gavin O'Mahony and Paudie O'Brien - heard how the teenager was "elated" after scoring the winning goal for the Kilmallock U14 hurling team in the closing minutes of a local championship match against Patrickswell last Wednesday.
"But triumph quickly turned to tragedy in the early hours of the next morning when his life was snuffed out due to a severe asthma attack. His tragic death has struck a chord with the feelings of so many and has evoked an overwhelming wave of sympathy not just here in the Kilmallock community but far and wide," continued Canon Fitzmaurice.
James died in the morning of the longest day of the year "and for the family it certainly has been the longest day of their lives so far.
"The past few days have been extremely difficult and painful for them especially looking at James as he was laid out in a resplendent Sporting Limerick jersey. To misquote Yeats "For them a terrible beauty has died".
Sean Twomey - principal of Colaiste Iosaef secondary school where James had completed first year - told the congregation that his grieving family was moved by the response and support of all since his death.
Mr Twomey said James was affectionate enough to appreciate a cuddle from his mother and still tried to be protective of his older sisters, Kate, 18 and Sarah, 16.
"When we think of death, it is usually with the thoughts of the approaching winter of life and not with the summer of youth. It never feels right when someone so young is taken from us," Mr Twomey said.
"I hope you can imagine the happiness he felt going to sleep that night with dreams of glory and the ring of applause in his ears.
"The poet William Blake said 'Mourn not my passing, but celebrate my life'.
"Remember him as the 13-year-old boy with a twinkle in his eye smiling with delight and with his hands in the air," Mr Twomey said to resounding applause before the young boy's coffin was carried form the church draped in his Kilmallock jersey and the Kilmallock GAA flag. Teammates of the 13-year-old fought back tears as they formed a guard of honour outside the church before the remains of the popular sports star were taken to his final resting place, Bulgaden cemetery.
James Long is survived by his parents Barbara and Terence, sisters Kate and Sarah, extended family and friends. The Long family wish to thank the local community including the local funeral undertaker, Michael Daffy, for their support at this difficult time.
James Long RIP: We may only have known James for a short time but it was certainly for a good time. It was both a privilege and pleasure to have James as part of our U-14 team. He always carried that irrepressible smile on his face with him to training and he had that rare gift of being able to bring a smile and a laugh to the faces of all those he met. James was still only U-13 but had been working particularly hard in recent weeks in training to try and break into the U-14 team. On the way down in the car to our match last Wed evening, Bernie was telling the lads if you get a chance to shoot on goal, aim head high. James got his chance in probably the most difficult of opportunities when playing against unbeaten Patrickswell he was called from the bench to go in corner forward and try and influence a game that we were trailing by a point in. The ball was stuck in a group of players on the edge of 21. Gearoid won possession and popped out a lovely pass to James on the 13. Donie roared at James to pull it over the bar but James decided to go with Bernie's advice and striking the ball head high hit a "rasper" into the back of the net.
James celebrated in style and was jumping up and down similar to Seamas Darby after scoring that goal against Kerry. We went on to win that game and the atmosphere in the changing room afterwards was electric. Everybody was delighted for such a popular member of the team and James was accepting the congratulations with one of the biggest smiles you'll ever see. It must also be said that there were also plenty of comments along the lines of "we'll never hear the end of this!".
Bernie dropped James home that night and James last words to him as he left the car were "head high Bernie" as he bounced off indoors. Little did we know that a few hours later, James would be tragically taken from us. Everybody is numbed by James passing but great credit is due to his team mates from the U-12s, U-14s and U-16s who turned out in big numbers on both Saturday evening and Sunday morning to provide a fitting guard of honour for James. We would particularly like to thank the Patrickswell mentors and team that also turned up to join the guard of honour. James absolutely loved his sport and the jersey that he wore that last evening adorned his coffin and was presented to his mother after his burial. Our loss is heavens gain. I don't think that there will be too much resting in peace done now that James has arrived up there but it will certainly be a much brighter and happier place that he is there. We will miss him but we won't forget him. The U-14 management, players and all connected with the club wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the Family and very many friends of our own James Long.
Courtesy of the Limerick Leader, June 30th, 2012. Tweet
