The 23-year-old former minor star passed suddenly on Friday
Ciarán O’Neill passed away on Friday(Image: Facebook / Stradbally GAA Club)
A tight-knit community in Co Laois has been plunged into mourning following the sudden death of a young GAA star whose ‘dedication, talent and presence will never be forgotten’.
Ciaran ‘Nelly’ O’Neill, 23, from Kylebeg in Stradbally, passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, January 23.
Ciaran, who was a past pupil of St Colman’s NS in Stradbally and Portlaoise CBS, was an extremely gifted sportsman who played both junior and senior gaelic football with Stradbally GAA club and went on to represent Laois at all levels, up to and including minor.
Stradbally GAA said’s Ciaran’s sudden death “is deeply felt throughout the entire club and community” as they shared an emotional tribute to the gifted athlete.
“Stradbally GAA is numb with sadness at the news of the passing of Ciarán “Nelly” O’Neill,” the club said in a statement shared on social media.
Ciaran O’Neill (right) in action for Stradbally during the Laois Senior Football Championship Round 3 in 2023(Image: ©INPHO/Evan Treacy)
“A current player with our club, representing Stradbally at both Senior and Junior level, Ciarán’s loss is deeply felt throughout the entire club and community.
“Ciarán was a Stradbally man through and through. He played juvenile football with the club all the way up, winning an U13 Championship at just 11 years of age, and later lining out on the U17 team that reached the Championship Final in 2017 when he was only 15. He also played juvenile football with Laois. More recently, he was part of the Stradbally team that won the Division 5 League in 2024.
“The passing of a young man in his early 20s has left the entire community numb with shock and sadness. While he continued to play with the club, Ciarán was also a great supporter — always present at matches, backing and encouraging teams he couldn’t tog out for, and showing his commitment to Stradbally at every opportunity.
“His dedication, talent and presence will never be forgotten.
Ciaran played both junior and senior football with Stradbally GAA club(Image: Facebook / Stradbally GAA Club)
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his parents Claire and Brian, his sisters Emma and Anna, his grandmother Carmel, and his extended family, friends and teammates at this incredibly difficult time.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.”
Ciaran was also a talented soccer player who competed at juvenile level with T&S United, helping the club to win leagues and cups before he went on to play at senior level with Stradbally Town.
The Laois soccer club have shared a poignant tribute to the talented sportsman as they announced that Sunday’s Counties Cup fixture has been postponed as a mark of respect to the popular young man.
“Everyone at Stradbally Town has been left truly devastated at the news of Ciaran O’Neills passing,” the club said.
The 23-year-old was also a gifted soccer player who lined out for Stradbally Town(Image: Facebook / Stradbally Town)
“Ciaran was part of this seasons squad and his loss will be felt deeply by his Team-mates, Management, all our club members and our community as a whole.
“Having started off in Schoolboys Football with T&S United playing up through all the age levels. He then progressed to youth team football with Stradbally Town where his goalscoring ability made him stand out immediately and it was only a matter of time before progression to senior football.
“Ciaran had been playing senior football with us on both A & B teams for near on 8 years now.
“He was always a great bet for a long range goal, he didn’t do tap in’s and could win you a game in a second. Earlier this season Ciaran grabbed a last minute winner against Lusk United to set us off on our current run into Leinster in this seasons LFA Shield.
Tributes have poured in for the popular young man(Image: )
“We will sorely miss and never forget Nelly’s talent, dedication and love for this club.
“At this time we can’t even imagine the pain Ciaran’s family are suffering.
“To his Parents Claire & Brian, his sisters Emma & Anna, his Granny Carmel, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins and the extended O’Neill and Delaney families and Ciaran’s many friends both on and off the pitch we extend our deepest condolences at this testing time. Our thoughts & Prayers are with you all.
“Rest Easy Ciaran, Forever Young. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
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