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Sunday World
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Dad delivers heartfelt eulogy at funeral of his son (18) after Kerry swimming accident
Crowds gathered for the funeral of Luke Silles who died last Friday after a swimming accident on May 17 The sombre grey sky over Ballymacelligott on Wednesday morning was broken by the cherished and heartfelt words of a loving father for his son, Luke. Tony Silles performed the speech that no parent wants to make as he bravely captured Luke's unique personality before a packed church at Cloghar where outside the lines of mourners gathered to give Luke his final farewell and guard of honour. Tony spoke of preparing his eulogy by sitting at Luke's study desk in his bedroom, surrounded by his geography books, trying to find the inspiration for the hardest words a parent should have to write about their child. 'These are the same geography books Luke sat in our backyard with studying in the evening sun prior to his trip to Fenit,' he said. Luke 'The CBS Green family, under the leadership of Robert Flaherty, has proved to be one of the strongest communities outside of any parish I have experienced. During Luke's school days you only get snippets of the actual school life. Luke is a school character who found a way to interact with pupils of all ages along with all staff members. "For six years Luke was in the Green school, he filled the corridors and classrooms with an aura and presence that was reflected to us by staff members who showed us outgoing love, care, and support since Luke's accident,' he added. Tony spoke of Luke as always having a friendly nod, smile and simple hello for everyone who passed him. His deep love for family and home life were touched on. 'Luke was probably the coordinator of all activities going on in our household, except for getting out of bed which he delegated to his mom,' Tony joked. 'Anything happening regarding sporting or social activities, Luke would decide what parent goes where…The intercounty trips with Kerry games produced the most enjoyable chats and laughs, especially on the long journeys where often he liked a parking spot close to Croke Park. Then, it was home to watch The Sunday Game and he'd have mom organised to feed us on arrival,' he said. Guards of honour at the funeral of Luke Silles at St Brendan's Church, Clogher. News in 90 Seconds - May 28th 'Sporting activities were always at the top of his agenda. Even though he suffered a few long term injuries lately, he would readily check in on all his teams' performance and help in anyway possible on the day, especially for school teams where he would get a few hours away from the norm. Number one would be Ballymac GAA and being involved with players he grew up with. His passion for the blue and gold was evident every time he laced football boots. Playing football with the school and Castleisland District League were huge honours for Luke with silverware to show for both codes,' Tony said. 'From a young age, Luke also joined Tralee Dynamos soccer club. He played all ages before progressing on to senior teams with his highlight making the Kennedy Cup squad. The school also provided opportunities for him to play soccer, reaching a high level when winning the Munster U15 cup.' Tony said friendship and family values are what mattered most to Luke and were his strongest qualities. He mentioned Luke's 'special touch and gift' he had for dealing with people. The huge circle of friends Luke surrounded himself with was evidence of this trait. 'Luke could socialise for five nights in a row with five completely different groups of companions. There was little said about the female friends but going on the last week and support there was no shortage,' Tony joked. 'Since the dreaded phone call no parent wants to get on the wonderfully fine Saturday evening, our lives have been turned upside down. The support to all of us has been nothing but overwhelming. From the bottom of our hearts we want to thank everyone who contributed and helped in any way at a time of most need. Over the coming weeks we will express our gratitude directly to all,' he said. 'I must acknowledge the care that Luke received from the people who rescued him. To the paramedics, both off duty at Fenit and those who arrived at the scene, and the teams in A&E and ICU at University Hospital Kerry. They did everything in their power to give Luke the best care and every possible chance of survival,' Tony said. "Unfortunately, it wasn't to be and now we have to deal with the unimaginable and where life will take us next. Having a presence in every chapter of our children's lives, trying to write new chapters without him seems impossible. I hope Luke's shining light can guide us as we navigate life without him and give his wonderful mother, Paula, brother, Oran, and sister, Aimee, the strength and resilience to keep going during these devastating days. May his gentle soul rest in peace. We love you, Luke. Always.'
Irish Examiner
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Cork lead Munster uprising against 'apartheid' FAI summer soccer plan
The FAI's ploy of making grants for next month's Gaynor and Kennedy Cup conditional on switching to summer season has met a backlash from the majority of leagues in Munster. Instead of approving the annual grant to the Schoolboys/girls' FAI of €160,000, around half the cost of running the underage tournaments at University Limerick, the FAI invited applications from leagues of the 50 participating teams. It was made clear during FAI-hosted webinars this week that payment hinged on applicants expressing intent to switch their schedules to comply with the association's wishes. Last December, the sea-change recommended in the Football Pathways Plan, led by outgoing chief football officer Marc Canham, was passed by a narrow 57% majority of General Assembly members. This was designed to align with the League of Ireland's summer season, whereas 70% of the 75 leagues in Ireland operate the traditional September to May format. Reaction has been deep and widespread. The Leinster Football Association, covering youth and junior leagues in the province, branded the ballot flawed due to alleged FAI influence over voters while the SFAI publicly called for a reevaluation of removing the right of choice from leagues. Adopting the divide-and-conquer method to release money for the showpiece interleague U14 tournaments has provoked a particularly stinging outcry. The Cork schoolboys' league has informed the FAI they won't be applying for the grant before this Friday's deadline. Neil Cronin explained why: 'Our clubs have made it clear, only recently again in a ballot, that they want to remain in the traditional format,' said the league executive. 'If funding is based on a mandatory element you can't change, then there's no point applying. 'I think the commonsense approach on this is to postpone implementation until an independent feasibility study is conducted to establish fully is what the impact is on the players, volunteers and referees.' This position was replicated by the Limerick District schoolchildren's league: 'We're fully in full support Cork SL and wish to advise you that we will not be submitting an application form for grant aid for the Kennedy Cup or Gaynor Cup,' wrote Karen O'Callaghan, league Secretary, to the FAI's head of grassroots Nigel Keady. 'We also as a league fully support the stance of the SFAI where all leagues should have a choice of the season they wish to play, based on the wishes of the clubs in that league. 'The disgraceful removal of the usual grant of €160,000.00 to the SFAI for the Kennedy and Gaynor Cups by the FAI is made even worse by trying to force leagues to sign up for summer soccer by offering them individual grants, subject to agreeing to summer soccer. 'We feel that this is bullying tactics and outrageous how the FAI are punishing children of grassroots soccer. 'You should do the right thing and restore the full grant to the SFAI immediately.' It's understood Waterford adopted the same stance while there was solidarity from the Tipperary South League, despite them working a calendar season. 'The TSS&DL Committee have made the decision not to apply for the grant money as to do so would give support to the FAI approach of a two tier apartheid funding system of grassroots football,' outlined secretary Anthony Phelan. 'The TSS&DL cannot be an affiliate of the SFAI and also support the FAI position which we feel is blackmail and putting a gun to the head of leagues. 'This issue has also been discussed the length and breadth of the country in league meetings with their clubs and the overwhelming outcome is choice. 'Leagues are run by volunteers and weren't found wanting when the FAI was in trouble in recent years and called on their support. This is now how they are treated and rewarded.' Although they're entitled to the grant for their two teams, the league has directed the FAI to distribute their €5,800 to charities Laura Lynn, Jack & Jill, Focus Ireland, Barnardos and Irish Youth Foundation. 'We will also require written confirmation that the above charities have received the money as outlined above on our behalf,' they insist. The league also explains why they're prioritising principles. 'Our committee recognises that this will put our finances under extreme pressure but we are prepared to back the SFAI position and leagues' right of choice and not be financially blackmailed with what is essentially SFAI and affiliate Leagues money," it says. 'These are net contributors to the FAI through our 200,000-plus members who pay €3 registration for each player on the FAI Connect system.'
