The Late Shane Brennan/Owen Kelly The region is coming to terms with the tragic death of two young men in two separate accidents. Family, friends, and neighbours have rallied to support the Brennan family in Newtownforbes and the Kelly family in Lanesboro as they lay their young sons, Shane and Owen, to rest. A very talented young footballer Shane Brennan died after a freak accident in Newtownforbes, whilst Owen Kelly was killed in a road accident . Shane Brennan died following an accident when the 23 year old, affectionately known as 'Mousey', had been celebrating after completing his final year exams in Retail and Service Management in Dublin Institute of Technology. It is thought he climbed upon the roof of the disused secondary school in the town and fell. He died later at Mullingar Hospital, where he was on a life-support machine. The dead man was one of two children (along with his brother, Stephen) of John Joe, originally from Harbour Row in Longford, and mother, Margaret, originally from Mohill. John Joe is well known in the region for his successful painting and decorating business. Shane was a member of a number of Irish schoolboy soccer squads and the National Technical and Colleges teams and had been on the books at Athlone Town FC. He played for Longford Town and Monaghan United at different levels. He also played with AC Celtic, as well as underage with Home Farm in Dublin. An all round sports enthusiast, he also played GAA with Clonguish. A past pupil of Melview NS and St Mel's College,he had also been involved in coaching children in recent years. The family's grief was echoed by his heartbroken father, John Joe, who said: " I will miss him so much. We travelled the country together. He was the soul of everything." The young man helped his father in the family business and added John Joe: "When he was working with me, he was always up for slagging and a bit of craic. He absolutely loved football. As a kid he was always around Longford Town training sessions, and we travelled to England together to see his beloved Aston Villa play". Tributes poured from all round Ireland for the hugely talented soccer player and former Longford Town manager Stephen Kenny recalled Shane as "a very passionate and determined player who had great pride in his home town". Padraig Nicholson, Regional Development Officer for the FAI in the Midland Region remembered Shane as a "lively, happy-go-lucky and energetic young man". Eircom League Chairman Paddy McCaul said Shane was "not only a fine player", but a "well liked and respected young man who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him." The parish of Lanesboro was shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic and untimely death of one of its best loved sons, Owen Kelly, in the early hours of the morning. A native of Rarhcline Road, Lanesboro, twenty year old Owen was travelling by car with his friend, when the vehicle struck a tree at Doughill, Curraghroe, Co. Roscommon - approximately four miles from Lanesboro. The accident occurred some time between 7 and 7.30am. Mr Kelly died instantly and the driver of the car, Alan Leckey was taken to Roscommon Hospital where his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening. Owen, who worked in the construction industry was described by those who knew him as a man "of huge personality" and was very well liked in the local community. He played football with Rathcline up to U21 level and also helped out at junior level two years ago. He was a member of a very well liked and respected Lanesboro family and many will remember his late grandfather, Eddie Kelly who operated the old cinema in Lanesboro and the town's first takeaway. He is a former pupil of St Mel's College and will be remembered for his warm, outgoing personality. He was a young man who enjoyed life and the company of others and he was always a great companion and a true friend to many. From a early age he nurtured a strong work ethic that he inherited from his parents and he was very much a young man with a bright future ahead of him and much to look forward to. His passing has numbed the close knit Shannonside community and friends and neighbours have rallied to support his heartbroken parents and family. His father, Eugene, is well known for his work with the Co. Council's Water & Sanitary section while his mother, Mary is a popular member of the Library staff in Longford and Lanesboro. Owen was a good son, who valued his family greatly and his passing is also a terrible blow to his older brother, Edward, and young sister, Therese, as he was especially close to both of them. His passing is also mourned by his girlfriend Susan Linnane of Churchview, Lanesboro. He will be remembered as a young man, full of the joys of life, given to sponteanous acts of generosity and kindness. Courtesy of the Longford Leader 20th May 2005 Tweet

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