The late Stephen Nolan The Gaelic football community in Roscommon is mourning the death of Western Gaels player Stephen Nolan who was fatally injured in a car accident. Shock and sadness swept through the areas of Ballinagore and Frenchpark when the news filtered through of the passing of the young footballer A young man with a huge physical presence, Stephen broke into the senior set-up three years ago. He was a member of the Roscommon minor football panel in 2004 and in recent seasons was beginning to establish himself as a quality forward. Aged 20 years, Stephen hailed from a strong football family. He was one of the family of six, all of whom played football with Western Gaels. His brother John is a member of the Roscommon senior panel while all three brothers Stephen, John and Gerard - have been regulars on the Western Gaels team since their early underage years. Sisters Elizabeth and Fiona also play at minor and u-12 respectively while the youngest in the family, Damien plays in the u- 12 grade. Last year the centre-forward enjoyed a great season, starring in a championship game against St Faithleach's in Dr Hyde Park. Stephen enjoyed success with Western Gaels at underage level and looked destined for along career. His death has rocked the local community and indeed the greater region, Tim Finneran, Western Gaels Chairman noted how he had "a great physique and ability" Tim went on to say: "He played all the way up. He was a lovely young man and was vert generous. He was always available. All of them are talented players" The late Stephen Nolan is survived by his parents, Sean and Sheila; brothers Gerard, John, and Damien; sisters Elizabeth and Fiona Courtesy of the Roscommon Herald 19 June 2007 The late Stephen Nolan Sad events happen in life that render the results of matches insignificant. There we were, licking our wounds on the morning after the Sligo match when news filtered through the county of the death of Stephen Nolan in a road traffic accident. Suddenly the loss of a match was put into context. There is no loss like the loss that death brings. The focus of the country's attention and sympathy was on the bereaved Nolan family. I don't think there is anything in life that prepares a family of a community for the news of a sudden death, particularly the death of a young person. Stephen was a young man with a great zest for life and a bright future ahead of him. I came across the 2004 intermediate final match programme a few days ago. Reading his pen picture made it all the more difficult to cope with the reality of his death. He was 18 then, 6' 2" in height and weighing 14 stone. He had won county U-12, U-14, U-16 and minor medals as well as Connacht Colleges and Fr. Manning Cup medals. The player he most admires was Seamus O' Neill and Seamus was also his most difficult opponent. He played county U-16 and minor football and he was a very prominent member of the Western Gaels team. His death is a cruel blow to his parents, brothers and sisters and the Western Gaels club. A massive crowd turned out for his funeral on Wednesday night and for his funeral Mass on Thursday. team mates all dressed in black stood ashen faced in silence as they struggled to cope with the reality of his loss. Words fail on a sad occasion like this. Sometimes we stumble over worn phrases but even the best intentioned words sound hollow in the face of the mystery of death. A whole community was numbed and devastated but the death of a young man who was so full of life and the joys of living. The presence of so many people was a testimony to his popularity and must be a source of comfort for his heartbroken family. As Canon Kevin Earley said in his homily, 'fewer burdens are heavier than the coffin of your son, your brother or your best friend on your shoulders.' Micheal Mulleady, his former teacher, speaking at the funeral Mass reminded us of the great character Stephen was as he recalled his wit and great sense of humour. No doubt, those close to Stephen, particularly his family, will have many fond and treasured memories of a son and brother that not even death can take from them. I know that all readers of this column will join with me in extending sympathies to Stephen's parents Sean and Sheila, brothers Gerard, John and Damien and sisters Elizabeth and Fiona. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Roscommon Herald 26th June 2007 Tweet

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