The 21-year-old went missing last Sunday, and was tragically found dead following a major search operation
Jack Boddy
Tributes have been paid to hugely-popular GAA coach Jack Boddy ahead of his funeral later today.
Jack, 20, who worked as a coach with the Clare Under-20 footballers, died over St Patrick’s weekend.
The 20-year-old, who was originally from Limerick, was reported missing from Lahinch during the early hours of Sunday morning.
Gardai launched a missing persons appeal shortly after his disappearance, describing him as being 5′ 10″ tall, with brown hair and blue/green eyes.
They said Jack was last seen at around 12.45am in the coastal town wearing a navy polo t shirt and grey combat style pants.
The search was stood down on Tuesday morning following the discovery of a body in Lahinch. Following the devastating news, Jack’s hometown of Bruff in Limerick cancelled their St Patrick’s Day parade as a mark of respect for the young man.
A huge search operation had been underway for Jack in the Lahinch area since the early hours of Sunday
Jack had been involved with Clare football teams for the past two seasons and was a member of Peter Keane’s backroom team with the seniors in 2025 working under Strength and Conditioning coach Shane O’Rourke.
He was working as the main S&C coach for the Dermot Coughlan managed U20s this season, and the Limerick native helped to guide Clare to a opening round win over Tipperary last Saturday.
Chairman of Clare GAA, Kieran Keating, has paid tribute to the popular young man as he announced that this weekend’s second round game with Waterford has been postponed “as a mark of respect” to Jack and his family.
“The thoughts of all in Clare GAA are with the parents, siblings and extended family & friends of our late colleague, Jack Boddy, this dark St Patrick’s evening,” Keating said in a statement Tuesday.
“Jack was a much loved friend of many in West Clare, of our senior football management & squad of 2025, & particularly of our 2026 squad of U20 footballers, to whom he was S&C coach, helping guide them to an opening round win on Saturday afternoon last.
“Thanks to all the GAA community who joined in the search for Jack over the past few days.”
Jack’s played underage football with his local side St. Senan’s Kilkee GAA, with the club paying tribute to the popular young man
Jack’s played underage football with St. Senan’s Kilkee GAA, who shared their own tribute to the talented coach.
“We were devastated over the weekend to hear of the tragic passing of one of our former underage players, Jack Boddy,” they said.
“Jack was a popular and very talented member of our underage teams over the past decade and showed great passion and enthusiasm for the game at all times. He was a vital part of a very successful group that won a number of titles and competitions at various grades. He was also part of the under 12 team that became one of the first St. Senan’s Kilkee teams to represent our club in Croke Park in 2017.
“Recently, Jack was involved with the Clare Under 20 footballers as Strength & Conditioning coach, and he was also involved with the Clare Senior footballers in a similar position in 2025, outlining his high standing in the profession despite his relatively young age.
“We are thinking of Jack’s family – his father Mossy, mother Sarah and his brother Tadhg – along with his extended family and many friends at this sad time.
“Ar dheis go raibh a anam.”
Jack’s funeral will be held at Kilkee Church at 11am on Sunday morning (March 22) followed by Cremation Service at Shannon Crematorium at 4pm.
Jack’s family have asked for donations, if desired, to be made to Kilkee Sub Aqua Club Search and Rescue, adding that they ” would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank all who were involved in the search for Jack.”
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