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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Woman who died after Cork City Marathon made people feel special, father tells mourners
The young woman who died after running the Cork City Marathon at the weekend didn't lead with her elbows, but with open arms, her heartbroken father said. 'That made her stand out, that made her special and made everyone that came into contact with her feel special,' Ellen Cassidy's father, Tom, told mourners at her 'goodbye mass' in Blackpool on Thursday. 'The result of this approach to life was what we had last night - a nine-hour wake, a full church today. Honestly, we never expected what we have seen and experienced over the last 48 hours, but it's the result of putting others first.' An elite swimmer, Ellen, 24, from the Old Mallow Road, Cork, fell ill close to the half marathon finish line on St Patrick's Street on Sunday. She got immediate medical attention but was pronounced dead at Cork University Hospital later. As requested by her family, people came to her funeral mass in The Church of the Annunciation, Blackpool, on Thursday wearing colourful outfits, many clutching freshly cut sunflowers, roses, and carnations, to celebrate her life and say goodbye. Mourners were led by her devastated parents, Violet and Tom, her sister, Mary, her brother, Charlie, her boyfriend, Rob, her grandparents, Joan, Billy and Tom, her extended family and a wide circle of friends. Among the gifts brought to the altar symbolising her passions in life were her Milan marathon medal, her Irish swim caps, sheets of piano music, a seashell representing her love of Alvor, the sea, and travel, and a heart symbol representing her love for her friends. Ellen Cassidy had a love for music, piano, and especially swimming. In a moving eulogy, Mr Cassidy told mourners about her journey from Rathpeacon NS, through St Angela's College, Bruce College, UCD and then the switch to UCC during covid to study business information systems, and of her love for music, piano, but especially swimming. Ellen joined Dolphin Swimming Club in Mayfield aged nine, breaking several club records in her time there, and represented Ireland at the European Youth Olympics in 2015. She was part of the Mardyke Arena UCC's Emerging Talent Programme in 2018, and debuted that year at the European Junior Championships in the 200m backstroke in Helsinki. She was joint chairperson of the UCC Swimming Club and the organisation of the Inter Varsities Swimming Championship in Cork in 2024. She began working with PwC in cybersecurity last September. Mr Cassidy revealed how his wife found their daughter's diary on Tuesday in a place they would never think to look. 'It was as if she wanted us to find it after she passed away,' he said, before reading the entry from March 11, 2021 – Ellen's 20th birthday. The guard of honour by local running and swimming clubs after the funeral mass for Ellen Cassidy today. Picture: Larry Cummins 'Ramen, honestly, what more would you want? Chicken wings to die for, they will be gotten again, most definitely, whereas the Prosecco on the other hand, easy to drink, but by God I felt ill this morning," she wrote. 'Not ideal with my assignment due next week, which of course I still haven't started. I need to actually realise I am now 20. F**k, 20-years old now. No-one is going to do things for me anymore. 'I need to focus on myself, my body, my mind, my mental health, my physical health. It all needs to be looked after by me now. I'm not a child anymore. I have to stop acting as it everyone else is going to do it for me. They're not. 'Ellen it's all you, step up, be brave. If you fail, you fail. But step out of your comfort zone. Don't follow the crowd. I know it's easier said than done, but you will never know the person you could be if you don't try and step up. 'In the next 10 years, you'll be finished college. Working, maybe. In a relationship? Travelling? Swimming? Buying a house? Driving a car? You will never know what life will throw at you but you must embrace it. 'Make choices, make decisions, and don't look back. Follow your gut. Otherwise you will never learn. You won't grow into the person you were meant to be. Small things make a huge difference. All I want is for everything to be perfect. My family. That is what I want. 'But can it be? We need to try harder. No-one will love, accept or support you more than your mother, father, brother and sister. 'I am lucky. I am so lucky to have them. We are lucky to have each other. We need to realise that. I just want mum, dad, Charlie, Mary, and myself to be happy.' A mourner holding flowers in the guard of honour for Ellen Cassidy by local running and swimming clubs. Picture: Larry Cummins Mr Cassidy recalled too how on the day before she died, Ellen sent her mother a message saying she would choose her to be her mum in every lifetime, again and again and again, before he pleaded directly to Ellen's friends to call to their home in the difficult months ahead. 'We don't want this to be the end of the road with the friendships Ellen has forged, but rather it be the continuation,' she said. 'Please call in, have a coffee, share your amazing stories, the fun you had with Ellen, to help us through what we know will be a long road to some sort of normality in our lives.' After Bishop Emeritus John Buckley said final prayers, Ellen's family and friends placed flowers atop her wicker coffin, placed their hands on it gently, and then walked it from the church through a guard of honour outside formed by her long-term swimming club mates. As the hearse moved away, it passed a long guard of honour formed by dozens of runners from clubs across the city, all wearing their club colours, to the Island Crematorium in Ringaskiddy for a private ceremony.
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Young woman, 24, who died after taking part in Cork City Marathon is named
A young woman who tragically died after after becoming ill while taking part in the Cork City Marathon on Sunday has been named. Ellen Cassidy, 24, from Old Mallow Road in Cork city, was running the half-marathon when she became seriously ill and collapsed close to the finish line at around 1pm yesterday. She was treated by emergency services at the scene on Patrick Street before being rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where she was sadly pronounced dead a short time later. Cork City Council issued a statement on Sunday afternoon confirming the tragedy. "Cork City Council is deeply saddened to confirm that a participant in the Cork City Marathon has tragically passed away," it said. "The person was attended to immediately by the emergency services on the scene. Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased." Ms Cassidy was a talented swimmer who participated in numerous competitions over the years at both a national and international level with Munster and Ireland. At the age of 9 she became a member of Dolphin Swimming Club in Mayfield, located on the northside of Cork city, and her focus was on the 200m and 100m Backstroke. Ms Cassidy represented Ireland at the European Junior Championships in 2018, while she also represented Ireland at International Schools level. The popular young woman served as swimming and water polo club captain during her time at University College Cork before she graduated last year, while she was also a former student at St. Angela's College Cork. Ms Cassidy was also part of the Mardyke Arena UCC's Emerging Talent Programme in 2018, competing in swimming at a national level. Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Honore Kamegni, offered his "heartfelt condolences" to Ms Cassidey's family following Sunday's tragedy. "It is with deep sadness that I heard the passing of a woman in her 20s at the Cork Marathon today," he said in a message shared on X / Twitter. "She became unwell at the finish line on Patrick Str. Immediate medical attention was provided to her. My heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones." More than 11,000 runners took part in the full marathon, half marathon and 10km events in Cork city on Sunday.
The Irish Sun
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
David Courell outlines challenge for Marc Canham's replacement as Chief Football Officer at FAI
THE FAI'S new chief football officer will have to 'bring' people with them but it is not an impossible job. That is according to the 2 FAI chief executive David Courell says the new CFO must win hearts and minds to achieve success in the role 2 FAI chief football officer Marc Canham stepped down from his position on Monday Canham was appointed Director of Football in June 2022 before being given a new title last year. In a statement on Tuesday, Canham said he felt the time was right 'to explore new personal and professional opportunities for me and my family'. He is eyeing up a role in professional football. The Englishman received He also encountered significant resistance in the implementation of policies such as the aligned football calendar and a centralised coaching programme designed to temporarily replace the ditched Emerging Talent Programme. read more on football And Courell said his replacement would be expected to secure greater buy-in for their strategic Courell said: "We have a plan. We have done a lot of the ground work to establish that vision. Now we are in an implementation phase. "This is not a slight on Marc, just a recognition that whoever takes over from the good work he has done will have to have the ability to bring our stakeholders with us. "In that programme for change, there will be people who are naturally uncomfortable. Most read in Football 'It is very important that we have someone who can engage and communicate with people, so they can see the real value in this and take confidence that this is grounded in trying to improve Irish football." Mikel Arteta accidentally photobombs Sky Sports report as he takes Arsenal dog Win for a walk He was made redundant 15 years ago with Dutch pair Wim Koevermans and Ruud Dokter occupying similar positions since. Courell said the Association - which will plug the gap internally if there is a lag between Canham leaving and a successor being found - would again consider an overseas appointment. He said: 'We need to make sure we make the right appointment. If that person is Irish, then fantastic.' The brief extends from grassroots to senior international level and Courell said: "There is no doubt it is a difficult job, I don't believe it is an impossible job. "Working in one of the biggest national governing bodies in the country, the breadth of what we have to work across is challenging. "That could be said across multiple different roles in the FAI. "That is part of the excitement of being involved in these roles, you can have a wide input into bringing about change.'
