Eilís OLeary - R.I.P

  • Nov 24,2009

After a brave battle Eilís OLeary of Raheny and the Dublin Senior B Team passed away this morning.

She will be missed by her Mam, Eilish and Dad, David, her sisters and brothers, family and friends. She will be missed too by her Club, Raheny and her teammates on the Dublin Senior B panel.

Her friend, fellow clubman and mentor, Paul McLoughlin paid tribute to her bravery at our awards night last Friday where he reminded us that she was thinking about us although gravely ill. It was her honour to wear a shirt for her County she told him.

At this sad time I am reminded of the beautiful hymn


Even though the rain hides the stars,
even though the mist swirls the hills,
even when the dark clouds veil the sky,
God is by her side.


Even when the sun shall fall in sleep,
even when at dawn the sky shall weep,
even in the night when storms shall rise,
God is by her side. God is by her side.


Bright the stars at night that mirror heaven’s way to you.
Bright the stars in light where dwell the saints in love and truth.

Deep the feast of life where saints shall gather in deep peace.
Deep in heaven’s light where sorrows pass beyond death’s sleep.

Removal on Wednesday to The Church of Our Lady Mother of Divine Grace, Raheny, arriving at 9.50am for 10am Mass. Funeral afterwards to St. Fintan’s Cemetery, Sutton. Family flowers only, please. Donations, in lieu, to St. Francis Hospice, Raheny.

Below - Eilís is pictued with Ball in hand and ever present smile. This picture was taken shortly before the Aisling Mc Ging All Ireland Final in 2007. Eilís is surrounded by Dublin and Raheny clubmates in this photo.

Above - Eilís proudly displays her All Ireland Medal

Below taken from Rahenygaa.ie

On a sad Sunday Morning the people of Raheny awoke to hear awful news of the passing of  one of its beloved daughters. Eilis OLeary finally lost her brave battle aginst illness and passed away peacefully in Beaumont Hospital.

At Just 20 years of age,  Eilis packed so much into her life as she gave of herself to many different codes within the community.

She attended Manor House secondary School where she excelled both Academically and on the sporting fields representing her School at Ladies Football Camogie and Soccer at the highest level and from there had looked forward to her 3rd Level education in Trinty College Dublin, where she also Played both Ladies football and Camogie.

As a young girl she became a member of Raheny GAA club which was to change her life for ever. She became a fine camogie player and was instrumental in setting up Rahenys first juvenile Ladies Football team. Winniing medals became a habit for her at both codes as she went to become an integral part of the Intermediate Camogie team of which she was Captain of at the time of her illness and the Adult ladies football team of which at just 14 years of age she starred in the Junior Championship Final in Parnell Park.

Her Sporting achievements did not stop their and in 2007 she was proudly selected as goalkeeper on the Dublin Ladies Senior Development Squad and went on to make the No.1 jersey her very own. After a great season she played in the All Ireland Final in Toomevara Co.Tipperary where she made two outstanding saves. Although beaten on the day she held these memories close to heart along with her medal.

But Sport was not her only love. She was also very Passionate about the Irish Languague and traditions and her frequent trips to Arrain Mhors Gaelteachts were the highlight of her year. She loved the Island and its people. She also was a talented singer who won 4 Dublin Scor Na Nog Titles for solo singing and was an integral part of our Annual St Patricks day Mass.

Who will ever forget her recent rendition of When only our rivers ran free sang to packed lounge just weeks ago.

Her ambiton was to be a teacher and she first showed her skills as a coach in the clubs Ogra where she spent so many Saturday mornings and was highly thought of by the great teacher of us all the great Frank Welch.She Also worked in the club Bar where she touched the heart of so many people with her kindness and big smile which was her trademark.

When she first learned of her illness she vowed to fight it every day which she truely did.With Eilish Snr by her side she continued to defy the odds by battling back time and time again.She got to see The Dubs,Holidayed in Arrain Mhor,played Junior B Championship in May of this year,met her beloved Idol Des Bishop and was bridesmaid at her sisters wedding were just a few of the achievements in the past year since she learnt of her cancer.

Without a doubt this young lady inspired all that knew her by her courage,bravery and Kindness over the past year and her loss will be felt by everyone who was lucky enough to know her.Raheny has lost a friend but Heaven has gained an angel.

Her Family would like to thank all the staff at Beaumont Hospital and St Francis Hospice for the wonderful job they did caring for her,and all those who helped them in the past year.

To her family we would like to offer our most sincere condolences and thank them for bringing Eilis into all of our lives.

To Eilis we say we will forever miss you but never ever forget you.

Funeral Wednesday morning 10am in Raheny Church, preceeded by a wake in the family home on Monday & Tuesday.

May you rest in peace

Paul McLoughlin