On Wednesday, September 11th, Darren Connell departed this world and made his way to sit beside the great God in the skies. Darren was laid to rest in Oldcastle yesterday. 

Oldcastle GFC paid a glowing tribute to one of their own.

At 2 o’clock this afternoon, instead of playing for his beloved Oldcastle in a Minor match at Millbrook, Darren Connell was being gently lowered into his final resting place, leaving behind a family and community numb with grief. The town of Oldcastle came to a standstill as the extended community united to express their sorrow for Darren and show their support for the Connell family. 

Darren’s parents Vera and Jim, brothers Keith, Cillian and Ciaran, sister Ella and extended family would like to thank everyone who has helped them in the past few days. Their friends and neighbours in both Newcastle and Knocklough have been tremendous, working round the clock to keep visitors fed and watered, and helping the family through this terrible time. Ruairi Gibney and everyone at Gibneys Funeral Home were a great help. Well done to all the neighbours and Oldcastle Gfc club members who provided essential parking and lighting for the massive wake last night. 

The Connells wish to thank Oldcastle Gfc also for hosting all of Darren’s friends and schoolmates on Wednesday and Thursday night in the Show Hall, allowing them to be together and help each other through this time. Well done also to club members who ran a super parking operation today, a very well-run system which facilitated a huge number of cars. A huge thank you to Darren’s friends Pearse, James, Harry and Sean for reading Prayers of the Faithful, to Fr. Ray for his beautiful ceremony, and to Seamus Maxwell for his lovely words about Darren. 
The Connell family stopped on their way from Knocklough to Oldcastle Church today, at Millbrook pitch. This was Darren's other home. He put in the hours at Millbrook: together with his team-mates on so many occasions. But also by himself, Darren was so driven with his will to succeed that you would often see him there for hours on end practising his kicks, over and over again. The family stood and laid gifts at his traditional No. 6 Centre Half Back Spot. Darren's jersey has gone to heaven with him. We will never see his like again. 

The Guard of Honour for Darren today was amazing. A huge thank you to the Meath Minor team, with whom Darren played, for attending. Indeed the team did not move from their position for the duration of the mass. They were joined in the Guard of Honour by the Oldcastle Gfc and Oldcastle Ladies Gfc U-13, U-15, U-17 and Senior teams. Also taking part was the Smith Academy of Irish Dancing, Oldcastle United, Darren’s school friends from St. Oliver Plunkett P.P., the Secondary School Gaa team, and all the businesses in Oldcastle as the cortege passed. Thank you all for such a dignified display. 

The Oldcastle GFC Senior team carried Darren from St. Brigid’s Church to his final resting place, the hardest and longest walk they will ever do in their lives, please god. A beautiful gesture that will never be forgotten, much appreciated.
The family would like to thank everyone who called, messaged, and sympathised with them both at the wake and funeral. They appreciate all your good wishes and support, and couldn’t have gotten through the past few days without it. 
Jim and Vera would like to thank all club members who ran a brilliant catering operation in the Show Hall after the funeral today. It meant a lot to them that everyone who attended could come in for food and a chat, and indeed many stayed on to watch the All-Ireland Final this evening. 

Out of the most horrific circumstances there is always some good, and what the last few days have shown us is that we have an amazing community in Oldcastle, one that has rallied round and come together as never before. There will be many dark days ahead for Jim and Vera and the Connell family, but please know that we are all here for you and will do whatever we can to help you through them. God Bless Darren and may he now be at peace, in his final resting place overlooked by the beautiful Lough Crew Cairns. You will live in our hearts forever. Any of us who pass Millbrook regularly and always saw you practising your shots will never again go by without thinking of you.

Please look after yourselves and each other, and please don’t hesitate to talk or seek help if needed. The following numbers always have help on call: Samaritans: 116 123 (freephone), or 087-260 9090 (text messaging service).

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