5 days ago
Huge gathering at Clare funeral for GAA star described as 'warm to the core'
Clare underage star Éanna Rouine was described as "warm to the core" after being laid to rest in Lahinch over the weekend.
Éanna represented Clare at minor and U20 level, as well as winning a host of underage titles with his club Ennistymon. He also won an All-Ireland Freshers Title with the University of Limerick, where he was a second-year business student.
The 20-year-old fell ill at a concert in Dublin last Saturday and was rushed to St James' Hospital.
Éanna's condition began to worsen, and despite a brave battle, he passed away on Tuesday morning.
As well as being a highly talented footballer, Éanna was a great musician and worked at Lahinch Beach as a lifeguard.
At his funeral mass, said to be one of the biggest the county had ever seen, his elder brother Dara spoke eloquently about a much-loved member of the community.
'To know Éanna was to be loved by him, he had a gentle personality, he was calm and warm to his core," Dara said, as reported by the Clare Echo.
"His circle of friends was wide because once you knew Éanna you couldn't help but be drawn in by his gentle spirit and his infectious laugh.
"His smile stretched from ear to ear and he touched the lives of so many. Éanna Pádraig born on the 18th August 2004 to our parents John and Caitriona, my older brother Eoin and I.
"Sharing a bedroom with Éanna growing up I now realise was a sleepover with my best friend every night, that extended into our college days where we shared a house together.
"When he was younger he called me 'Dawa' and I always responded with 'Yawa', our own little language, it was always Dara and Éanna, one never complete without the other'.
'Over the past few days we've heard so much about the many things he accomplished, a testament to how full his life was, he had an endless enthusiasm for taking part in everything he could do and truthfully there wasn't enough days in the week to fit it all in.
"From football fields to music to spending time with his grandparents, Éanna achieved so much in his short twenty years, he gave it his all.
"Talented beyond measure, Éanna was a committed lifeguard, a gifted footballer fierce on the field, a leader, a teammate, a friend, in the moment he could sit with his accordion and played with a grace that stirred hearts'.
He continued: 'Éanna lived passionately, gave generously and he loved people. We mourn the years we won't spend with him but we are grateful for the time we had, we honour him in our hearts where he lives on strong, joyful and full of fun.
"Adios amigo, adios my friend the road we have travelled has come to an end, adios compadre let us shed no tears but cherish the memories we shared over the years, rest easy Éanna you were always and always will be truly loved."
Éanna is survived by his parents Cáitriona and John, his brothers Eoin and Dara, his sister Brid Áine, and his grandmother Bridget.
