Latest news with #LukeSilles
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
In a year of tragedy and suffering, Ballymacelligott minors put a smile back on everyone's face
Kerry MFL Division 1 final: Ballymacelligott 4-15 Austin Stacks 1-16. KERRY GAA vice-chair Liam Lynch paid tribute to a 'fantastic' Ballymacelligott minor football group who honoured their late friend and colleague Luke Silles with an historic first Kerry MFL Division 1 title in Tralee. Ballymac's eight-point win Friday night over favourites Austin Stacks helped lift the clouds that have hung over the area since minor footballer Luke Silles died in a tragic water accident in Fenit last May. And Kerry's vice chair Lynch spoke movingly after the final about the exemplary manner in which Luke's colleagues have conducted themselves on and off the pitch this season. The Ballymac minors blitzed their way to a stunning Division 1 success, beating Rathmore, Kenmare, Dr Crokes and Laune Rangers before accounting for Stacks in Friday's decider. They scored 8-29 between the semi-final and final, against two favoured opponents. Only a stone would not have been moved by the scenes of wild celebration at the final whistle at the John Mitchels club. Luke was beaming somewhere else. 'Leaving aside football for a moment, I want to say what a credit as individuals and as a club – everyone knows what I am talking about – ye all are to represent us as GAA people around the passing of Luke Silles. He was on everybody's mind here, and the way ye as young men have conducted yourselves over the last few months all the way up to the match tonight is remarkable. Ye are a credit to yourselves, to your parents, and your club. The future is bright for Ballymac.' It certainly appears that way as the minors delivered a statement performance full of fire and intelligence to overturn an early six-point deficit against Austin Stacks. IN MEMORY: Luke Silles' No 11 jersey was retired for the year by the Ballymac minor squad in memory of their friend and colleague The Tralee men, who were without star turn Ben Murphy, raced into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead with a Cormac Bastible goal, and led 1-6 to 0-3 before Ballymac got going. Dead-eye free-taking from Jack Joy into a tricky breeze kept them in touch before midfielder Mairtin McKivergan raced through to goal and level things up at 1-7 apiece. Stacks, with Kerry minors Ronan Carroll and Alex Tuohy leading, surged back in front, taking a 1-11 to 1-9 lead into the half time break though Ballymac points from Padraig Reidy and Gearoid Healy were key in minimising Ballymac's challenge going into the second half. However it was a different story after the break as Ballymac grabbed control of the game. A rapid passing move teed up Ciarán O'Connell for their second goal and when Jack Joy's free fell short two minutes later, Luke Griffin reacted quickest to flick their third. Ronan Carroll kicked a big two pointer for Stacks, but Ballymac had all the momentum now. Mike Quirke was a steady hand at centre forward, chipping in with four points in total to receive the man of the match award and significantly, they got a big bounce from all four substitutions. The Joy brothers – Kerry minors this year and last - controlled possession, while defensively Jackson Brosnan made a couple of key blocks to keep Stacks at bay. The victory rounded off a remarkable season for the Ballymac minors across the Club championship, Central Region and County League – they remained unbeaten over 60 minutes, losing only twice in extra time in the earlier competitions to Rathmore and Laune Rangers. They beat both convincingly en route to this maiden Division One title. Somewhere, quietly, Luke Silles, was fist pumping. BALLYMACELLIGOTT: C Harris; D McMahon, E Joy (0-1), S Turner; J Brosnan, E Moriarty, P Reidy (0-1); M McGivergen (1-1), C Savage; S Slattery, M Quirke (0-4), G Healy (0-2); J Joy (1-6, 1tpf, 1f), M Rodgers, C O'Connell (1-0). Subs: J Collins for Savage (40), M O'Connor for Healy (42), L Griffin (1-0) for Rodgers (49), L O'Rahilly for Slattery (55). AUSTIN STACKS: O Lata; E Mangan, F Ryan, A Horgan; D Lyons, G Casey, L Sweeney; A Tuohy (0-2), J Diggin; H Murphy, R Carroll (0-10, 2tp, 1tpf, 2f), B Litchfield; R Lynch, R O'Driscoll (0-3), C Bastible (1-1). Subs: J Carmody for Sweeney (47), J Moriarty for Litchfield (49). Referee: D Kennelly (Moyvane)
Sunday World
27-05-2025
- General
- Sunday World
School attended by Luke Silles praised for helping pupils cope with his tragic loss
School management hosted breakfast mornings this week where pupils are encouraged to talk about Luke and celebrate his life in a positive and engaging way. Staff and management at Tralee CBS The Green have been praised by parents for their efforts in liaising with pupils in need of support since the death of Luke Silles on Friday. Luke was a popular and engaging student at Tralee CBS where the school community is this week struggling to come to terms with his tragic loss. Parents have spoken of counselling being made available to pupils with some staff returning from annual leave to help out during what has been an emotionally difficult time for everyone at the school. Luke Silles. News in 90 Seconds - May 27th School management hosted breakfast mornings this week where pupils are encouraged to talk about Luke and celebrate his life in a positive and engaging way. For many of the pupils, Luke's death has been the first emotional challenge they will have faced in their young lives. The Kerryman understands that pupils have received 'great comfort' from this bereavement process and by school management ensuring 'space and opportunity' is there for pupils who need to speak about Luke. One parent said that 'every support' has been offered for the entire school community, and the extended community. 'There are listening ears and shoulders to cry on. There is time given to listening to stories and hear emotions,' she said. 'They've created a space for pupils to share memories and given them all the time they need to remember Luke. The right thing to do is to help the pupils through this. The staff and everyone connected with The Green family deserve huge credit for the way they have handled this tragedy,' she added. Tralee CBS The Green will close on Wednesday for the funeral of Luke Silles which will arrive at St Brendan's Church, Clogher on Wednesday at 10:30am for 11:00am Requiem Mass followed by interment afterwards in New Rath Cemetery.
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Kerry school attended by Luke Silles praised for helping pupils cope with tragedy
Luke was a popular and engaging student at Tralee CBS where the school community is this week struggling to come to terms with his tragic loss. Parents have spoken of counselling being made available to pupils with some staff returning from annual leave to help out during what has been an emotionally difficult time for everyone at the school. School management hosted breakfast mornings this week where pupils are encouraged to talk about Luke and celebrate his life in a positive and engaging way. For many of the pupils, Luke's death has been the first emotional challenge they will have faced in their young lives. The Kerryman understands that pupils have received 'great comfort' from this bereavement process and by school management ensuring 'space and opportunity' is there for pupils who need to speak about Luke. One parent said that 'every support' has been offered for the entire school community, and the extended community. 'There are listening ears and shoulders to cry on. There is time given to listening to stories and hear emotions,' she said. 'They've created a space for pupils to share memories and given them all the time they need to remember Luke. The right thing to do is to help the pupils through this. The staff and everyone connected with The Green family deserve huge credit for the way they have handled this tragedy,' she added. Tralee CBS The Green will close on Wednesday for the funeral of Luke Silles which will arrive at St Brendan's Church, Clogher on Wednesday at 10:30am for 11:00am Requiem Mass followed by interment afterwards in New Rath Cemetery.
Irish Post
25-05-2025
- Irish Post
'A shining light': Tributes paid to teen who died in Co. Kerry swimming tragedy
TRIBUTES have been paid to a teenager who died after an accident while swimming in Co. Kerry last week. Luke Silles, 18, was rushed to hospital following the incident at Fenit Pier on Saturday, May 17. He had been in a critical condition since then but sadly passed away at University Hospital Kerry on Friday. His death follows the recent passing of seven-year-old Alan Singh in Co. Sligo and teenagers Emmanuel Familola and Matt Sibanda in Co. Donegal, who all died after getting into difficulty in the sea. In a statement, CBS The Green in Tralee paid tribute to their Leaving Cert student. "Luke was a shining light in our school community — a kind-hearted, thoughtful, and gentle young person who brought warmth and positivity to those around him," it read. "His presence in our classrooms, on our corridors, and among his peers left a lasting impression. "He had a quiet strength and a generous spirit that touched the lives of so many. "Luke will be missed deeply by his friends, his classmates, and all the staff here at CBS The Green. "His absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, and we will remember him with great affection and sorrow." It added: "At CBS The Green, we are more than a school — we are a family. And today, we grieve together as one. "We will honour Luke's memory with compassion, unity, and love." 'Sun set in a black cloud' Luke's former school also paid tribute, saying he was 'deeply loved by peers and staff alike'. "Luke was more than just a student — he was a bright light in our school community," read a statement from O'Brennan National School in Tralee. "Whether through his warm smile, kindness to others, or quiet determination, Luke left a mark that will never be forgotten. "We remember him not just for academic achievements or participation in school life, but for the person he was — compassionate, full of mischief, and deeply loved by peers and staff alike." The teenager's sports clubs have expressed their sorrow at his passing. "The sun set in a black cloud last evening as our community mourned the loss of our beloved Luke Silles," said Ballymacelligott GAA. "Luke was sporting, witty, smart and roguish. He was called early by our creator at just 18 years of age. "His family and our club have been denied a great man." Football club Tralee Dynamos said that Luke had graduated from the club's academy ranks at the age of nine and 'went on to represent our club at all age groups with great pride and distinction'. "An honest and unassuming young teenager, Luke forged strong and close relationships with all those around him," they added.
Irish Times
25-05-2025
- Irish Times
‘A shining light': Leaving Cert student dies after being injured while swimming in Co Kerry
A Leaving Certificate student who was seriously injured while swimming in Co Kerry last weekend has died. Luke Silles, an 18-year-old from Curraghleha East near Tralee, was taken to University Hospital Kerry last Saturday in a critical condition following the incident at Fenit Pier. He died in hospital on Saturday surrounded by his family. Luke was a son of Tony and Paula Silles and had two siblings, Oran and Aimee, according to a notice published on In a statement, his school, CBS The Green in Tralee, described Silles as 'a shining light in our school community – a kind-hearted, thoughtful, and gentle young person who brought warmth and positivity to those around him'. READ MORE 'His presence in our classrooms, on our corridors, and among his peers left a lasting impression. He had a quiet strength and a generous spirit that touched the lives of so many,' it said. 'Luke will be missed deeply by his friends, his classmates and all the staff here at CBS The Green. His absence leaves a space that cannot be filled, and we will remember him with great affection and sorrow.' The school extended its sympathies to the Silles family and pledged to 'walk beside them with care and support in the days, weeks and months ahead'. Ballymacelligott GAA Club, of which Silles was a member, said: 'The sun set in a black cloud last evening as our community mourned the loss of our beloved Luke Silles. 'Luke was sporting, witty, smart and roguish. He was called early by our creator at just 18 years of age. His family and our club have been denied a great man. Rest in peace Luke.' Silles's funeral Mass will take place in Co Kerry on Wednesday.
