Feeley, Alan
November 18, 2013
A veil of darkness rests over Claremorris this week as the town attempts to come to terms with the sudden and unexpected death of 28 year old Alan Feeley. A loving son, a fabulous brother; a devoted boyfriend, a wonderful teacher, a brilliant teammate and an amazing friend, Alan's death shocked the town to its very core.
The sports fanatic had played his last game for Claremorris GAA Club on Sunday, November 10, putting in a stellar performance for his home club and even scoring a point for his team, despite playing in the back line. The following evening, back in Limerick, Alan collapsed during a gym session. He was rushed to hospital with a brain haemorrhage but by Tuesday evening, his young life had been snatched away and his passing had left a huge void in the lives of so many people.
Alan was just like any other 28-year-old. He loved life. He was energetic and enthusiastic. He had time for everyone and was incredibly close to his parents, Willie and Kathleen, and his brothers, Hugh, Donal and Liam. He adored his girlfriend, Louise, and had a huge circle of friends, both at home in Claremorris and in his adopted Limerick. He lit up every room he entered and was loved by everyone he encountered.
For the last five years, Alan had been an integral member of the teaching staff at Scoil na Trionoide Naofa in Doon, Co. Limerick. He had made Limerick his home and was an inspiration to the hundreds of students he taught. The Claremorris man taught PE at Scoil na Trionoide Naofa and in the days following his death, so many of his students and their parents took to social media to express their disbelief and anguish at Alan's sudden death.
Indeed, outpourings of grief came from all across the country and beyond. His college mates recounted their experiences with the jovial Mayo man. His team-mates in Limerick and Claremorris expressed their sorrow and grief. School friends and Claremorris locals living all across the globe sent messages of sympathy home and the town united in its grief for one of the most genuinely wonderful lads Claremorris has ever seen.
From a young age, Alan was always interested in sport. Whether it was attending GAA matches with his dad, kicking a ball around in the back garden with his brothers or excelling in the water with Claremorris Swimming Club, Alan was happiest when he was active. Alan picked up several accolades in various sports disciplines throughout his childhood and youth and was an All-Ireland winning water polo player.
Despite leaving Claremorris to study - and later to work - Alan continued to return home to play football with the local GAA club. Alan joined Old Crescent RFC during the summer this year and quickly became a valuable and popular member of the club's thirds rugby fraternity, scoring a try in the last thirds' game just a week before his death. Alan's brother; Liam, also plays with Old Crescent RFC in Limerick and the club postponed the senior fixtures at the weekend as a mark of respect.
Alan had previously played sevens and had also become a dab hand at Tag Rugby - his fitness, agility and speed from years on the playing field standing to him in Tag. Alan was a regular at Thursday evening tag sessions during the summer in Old Crescent, also taking part in a number of weekend ITRA events, including the All Irelands and the famous Pig n Porter festival.
As with every other sport he turned his hand to, Alan was brilliant at Tag Rugby. He was an important member of the Limerick Squirrels tag team and played in the Tag All-Ireland Finals last July in Barnhall RFC, where the Squirrels were narrowly beaten in the Cup quarter-final by the eventual overall winners, Railway Panthers.
School principal at Scoil na Trionoide Naofa, Eilis Casey, paid tribute to the popular teacher; describing him as "an inspirational young man", a fabulous teacher and excellent athlete and sportsman." Extending the sympathy of the entire school community, Ms Casey said Alan was very innovative and always ensured PE was enjoyable at all all girls school.
Always eager to encourage participation in sport, Alan coached pupils to a Munster Gaelic football title last year, as well as intro ducting spikeball to the school and bringing the students to two All-Ireland finals.
"Alan was very popular with the students, parents and staff alike. There was an ease and calmness about him," she added.
In St Colman's College, Alan's alma mater, the school community was devastated by the news of his passing. "Our hearts go out to Alan's family and friends. He was so highly regarded by all of us here at the college - a total gentleman, scholar and athlete. May he rest in peace."
Players, coaches and committee members at Claremorris GAA Club were, understandably, equally stunned by Alan's death. Club chairman, Craig Middleton, could barely put into words the grief being felt at the club.
"Alan lined out for the Claremorris senior team on the Sunday and, as usual, played with flair and passion. Not much more than 24 hours later, he had been taken from us. The whole community is devastated. His team-mates are in bits. His friends are in bits. We can't even begin to imagine what his family and girlfriend must be going through. Alan was so full of life, so full of energy and such an amazing young man. It's a shocking tragedy. Alan was an absolute gentleman. He had a huge commitment to his club and his teammates," he said.
On Monday, November 11, Alan was rushed to University Hospital Limerick after suffering a brain haemorrhage and sadly passed away on Tuesday evening but true to form, Alan had one final gift to give. The Claremorris man was the holder of an organ donor card and his family carried out his wish that his organs be donated and used to help others.
Thousands turned out on Thursday evening and again on Friday afternoon to pay their final respects. Numerous guards of honour lined the streets for the removal on Thursday night and Friday afternoon, as Alan was taken to his final place of rest in St Colman's Cemetery, following an emotional funeral Mass in the parish church.
Sincere sympathy is extended to Alan's parents, Willie and Kathleen, his brothers Hugh, Donal and Liam, sister-in-law Eadaoin, grandmother Sadie Molloy, girlfriend Louise, aunts, uncles, cousins, team-mates, staff and pupils of Scoil Trionoide Naofa and his many many friends.
May his kind and gentle soul rest in peace. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam
Western People, 18th November 2013
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