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The funeral of Eoin Doyle, a 12-year-old Gaelic footballer from Co Mayo who died in a train-car collision, was held at St Patrick’s Church, Cloonfad. His mother, Elaine Doyle, described him as a kind, adventurous child who loved sports and family. The service, attended by Archbishop Francis Duffy, celebrated his life and the joy he brought to others.
Eoin was returning from Gaelic football training at St Jarlath's, a team of underage players from Bekan and Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, when the crash happened.
The mother of a boy who died after a train hit a car has described him as a kind-hearted child whose “bit of devilment” was irresistible. Mourners at Eoin’s funeral on Tuesday at St Patrick’s Church, Cloonfad, heard how he was deeply loved by his family, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, and most especially by his twin sister, Saoirse.
“Rest in peace, our fallen, handsome boy, until we meet again,” she said. “The loss of our beautiful boy has no positives at all, albeit that it highlights the importance of kindness to others in our daily lives. Eoin was kindhearted to family, friends and the family pets. He hated to see anyone upset or in trouble.
” Elaine Doyle said her son, who played underage football with local soccer club Cloonfad United, dreamt of one day of playing for Manchester United. On Eoin’s coffin there was a photograph of the Doyle family with the Sam Maguire trophy in Ballyhaunis following Mayo’s win in the All-Ireland SFC final in July. His mother told mourners how, as a baby, Eoin had spent most of his time on someone’s shoulder and never slept in a cot.
“He always loved having someone to lie in with him to fall asleep every night and that continued until some time last year,” she said. She said her son had many loves in his life and sport was one of these. His dream was to play with Manchester United.
“He had his first training session the other night with the under-13 football team in Ballyhaunis. I didn’t want to go and, really, he was pretty anxious about going, but when he was on his way home, Declan told me afterwards he was really excited about how well it had actually gone.
” Fr Stephen Farragher, the main celebrant, spoke of his deepest sympathy with Eoin’s parents Declan and Elaine, Eoin’s twin Saoirse, stepbrother Conor and both sets of grandparents, Pat and Marguerite Doyle and Ger and Mary Corcoran.
“We celebrate Eoin’s life, the joy he brought to those around him, the friendships he made ... the love that surrounded him every day. Today is a day of tears, but it is also a day of thanksgiving for the precious gift of Eoin’s life.
Eoin Doyle Train Crash Gaelic Football Mayo Funeral Family Sport Manchester United
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