Quill, Noel
July 31, 2004
Village shocked by Noel's tragic death
Castlebridge was still in shock at the death of 22-year old Noel Quill, who locals described as a vibrant, happy young man.
'In a small, rural community like ours something like this has a huge impact, ' said a prominent local.
'It has had a huge impact on Noel's friends ... within a short time of them discovering what had happened, there were 20 or 30 of them at his home at Johnstown on Saturday morning,' he said.
Dizzy
Noel, who had been studying at Waterford Institute of Technology, was found dead in his bed hours after he had complained of feeling dizzy during a junior B football league game in which he played for Shelmaliers against Kilmore.
Noel's parents, Pat and Liz, brother Padraig, sisters Maeve and Lisa and girlfriend Pamela are still trying to come to terms with his death, which has sent a shockwave through Castlebridge. Noel's mother Liz works as a nurse, while his father Pat is a manager with the Department of Social Welfare in Wexford town.
'Noel was always very civil and courteous and very well liked. This tragedy has happened at a time when everything should have been starting for him,' said the community member.
Noel had complained of feeling dizzy following the game, but after returning home said he was fine.
'His mother asked him how he was before he went to bed and he told her he was alright.
He shared a room with Padraig and was talking with him until about 1.30 in the morning. But tragically, later in the morning it was discovered that he had passed away.'
Shelmaliers club 'devastated' by news
Noel Ryan, the chairman of Shelmaliers, said the club was devastated at the loss of Noel Quill.
'He was on of our up and coming young men playing with our club..it's very hard to find the right words, ' said Mr. Ryan
'What happened is a terrible tragedy, he was playing football with us on Friday evening and now our club is devastated, as are his mother and father and the rest of his family. I can only say we will do everything humanly possible to help them in any way we can,' he said.
Shelmaliers cancelled all its activities as soon as news as news broke of Noel's untimely death.
'We closed all the pitches and cancelled all the activities until after the funeral,' said Mr. Ryan.
He said Friday night's game pitting Shelmaliers against Kilmore, marked a return to the club by Noel who had until recently been studying for his exams at Waterford Institute of Technology.
'He had only just finished his exams and was looking forward to getting back on to the playing field.'
Noel Quill's father Pat is heavily involved in Ladies football and three clubs - Shelmaliers GAA and Shelmaliers Ladies Football Club and St. Ibar's Camogie Club, united in sorrow, jointly provided guards of honour at the funeral and Requiem Mass at Castlebridge Church.
Meanwhile, friends and former colleagues of Noel's at Colman Doyle's in Wexford were said to be totally shocked at his sudden death.
Noel, who had worked weekends and during holidays for the company, for the past five or six years, was a well liked member of staff with a ready smile.
'He was a popular member of staff. A very nice guy. It hasn't hit most of us yet and some of the staff members are very upset,' said a colleague and friend.
'He had a great smile, and was a very funny guy, very witty. He didn't let anything get on top of him.'
Courtesy of the Wexford People
July 2004
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