Latest news with #IrishToffees
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fan died hours after he 'fulfilled his dreams'
Friends of a football fan who died hours after meeting his hero have spoken of their devastation. Niall Cunneen, from Limerick in the Republic of Ireland, died on 3 May. The lifelong Evertonian, 56, had travelled to Liverpool the day before with the Irish Toffees supporters' group to go on a farewell tour of the club's Goodison Park stadium. The fans later met former players including Mr Cunneen's idol Kevin Sheedy. They were due to attend the Blues' Premier League match against Ipswich the following afternoon but Mr Cunneen died in the early hours of the morning. "He got to do exactly what he wanted and on Friday fulfilled his dreams including meeting his hero," group member Lee Reilly said. Mr Reilly added: "[We went] on the Goodison Park tour for the first time and [had] a night in the Winslow hotel where he got to listen to past player Joe Parkinson and ex-kitman Jimmy Martin do a talk about their memories of their time at the ground. "Nothing could wipe the smile off Niall's face and that night will stick with us." Another member of the group, Sean Heelan, paid tribute to the "gentle giant", who is survived by his mum Phil, brother Colm and sister Sinead. "We were all devastated to wake up to his passing," Mr Heelan said. "Niall was a gentleman, very mannerly and a huge Evertonian. He was a Blue all his life and would try and go over two or three times per season." The group has asked for donations to cover the cost of bringing Mr Cunneen's body back to the Irish Republic. Mr Heelan said the group was working with The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Any money left over will be donated to the trust and other charities, he added. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Everton fan granted final wish to see new stadium Gofundme The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Everton fan died suddenly, hours after he 'fulfilled his dreams'
Friends of a football fan who died hours after meeting his hero have spoken of their Cunneen, from Limerick in the Republic of Ireland, died on 3 May. The lifelong Evertonian, 56, had travelled to Liverpool the day before with the Irish Toffees supporters' group to go on a farewell tour of the club's Goodison Park fans later met former players including Mr Cunneen's idol Kevin Sheedy. They were due to attend the Blues' Premier League match against Ipswich the following afternoon but Mr Cunneen died in the early hours of the morning."He got to do exactly what he wanted and on Friday fulfilled his dreams including meeting his hero," group member Lee Reilly said. Mr Reilly added: "[We went] on the Goodison Park tour for the first time and [had] a night in the Winslow hotel where he got to listen to past player Joe Parkinson and ex-kitman Jimmy Martin do a talk about their memories of their time at the ground."Nothing could wipe the smile off Niall's face and that night will stick with us."Another member of the group, Sean Heelan, paid tribute to the "gentle giant", who is survived by his mum Phil, brother Colm and sister Sinead."We were all devastated to wake up to his passing," Mr Heelan said."Niall was a gentleman, very mannerly and a huge Evertonian. He was a Blue all his life and would try and go over two or three times per season."The group has asked for donations to cover the cost of bringing Mr Cunneen's body back to the Irish Heelan said the group was working with The Kevin Bell Repatriation money left over will be donated to the trust and other charities, he added. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Man who 'had best day of his life' dies in hotel room just hours later
Man who 'had best day of his life' dies in hotel room just hours later 'It will stay with us forever seeing how happy he was that night' Niall Cunneen pictured with his Everton legend Kevin Sheedy just hours before he died (Image: Lee Reilly ) A man who'd had the 'best day of his life' celebrating his beloved football team died just hours later. Niall Cunneen, aged 56, from Limerick, Ireland, passed away in Liverpool just hours after experiencing 'the best day of his life' celebrating his cherished football team. Niall was on a trip to visit Goodison Park for one final occasion when the tragedy occurred last week. Niall had travelled to Liverpool for the weekend on Friday, May 2, with members of the Irish Toffees supporters group for what turned out to be a 'farewell' tour of Goodison Park. After the tour, they met some ex-Everton players and extended their festivities into the early hours of Saturday at a hotel in the city centre. On Saturday, May 3, the companions from the supporters' group woke up to discover the grievous news that Niall had passed away. His friend Lee Reilly, 27, whom he'd befriended within the group, spoke to the ECHO about how Niall had "fulfilled his dreams" just before he died. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice. Recounting the previous day's experience, Lee said: "On Friday we'd met up in Liverpool and did a tour of Goodison Park before having a private event in the Windsor Hotel. It was a farewell to Goodison where we met former players. It was a great night, we stayed there into the early hours of the morning." Lee went on to describe Niall's joy: "Niall got to fulfil his dreams on Friday, like meeting his hero Kevin Sheedy and listening to Joe Parkinson and Jimmy Martin, who is a legend, do a talk about their memories of their time at the [Everton] ground.", reports the Liverpool Echo. "Nothing could wipe the smile off his [Niall's] face that night, it will stay with us forever seeing how happy he was that night. He had been made up that night, it was the best day of his life." Article continues below Tragically, the morning following their celebrations, the friends were met with devastating news that Niall had died at his Liverpool hotel. Lee has since honoured the memory of the "gentle giant" whom he says would do "anything" for anyone. He described Niall as, "Everyone that knew Niall at the Irish Toffees knew that Niall was a gentle giant, a man with incredible manners and a true Everton fan." "Nothing could wipe the smile off his [Niall's] face that night, it will stay with us forever seeing how happy he was that night. He had been made up that night, it was the best day of his life." "He was the life and soul of the party and travelled to numerous games as part of our group to watch his beloved Everton Football Club. He was a lovely man, he would do anything for anyone. He would always be there." Now, the group is asking for donations to raise enough money to bring Niall's body home to his family in Ireland. Lee said: "We have set up a GoFundMe to help get him home to his beloved family and best friend. "We are asking for people to reach into their pockets and help us. We are trying to raise enough money to take the pressure off his family at this difficult time, we would really appreciate anything. Article continues below "If we hit our goal and any money raised over the target it will be donated towards funeral costs and to respective charities, including the Kevin Ball Charity who are helping us get him back to Ireland."
