Funeral of Mayo boy Eoin Doyle hears he was ‘deeply loved’ by family, friends, schoolmates and teammates
The mother of 12-year-old Mayo boy Eoin Doyle called on him to “bring us strength and watch over us every day” during his funeral mass.
Paying tribute to her son on Tuesday, Elaine Doyle said that the loss of “our beautiful boy has no positives at all, albeit that it highlights the importance of kindness to others in our daily life”.
Eoin, a “much-loved” member of Ballyhaunis GAA, Cloonfad United, Claremorris Athletics Club and Claremorris Golf Club, died after the vehicle he was travelling in was struck by a train at a railway crossing in Kiltybo, neary Ballyhaunis, last Thursday evening.
He was on his way home from football training with St Jarlath’s alongside his father, Declan, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The Railway Accident Investigation Unit is currently investigating the collision.
Speaking at his funeral mass, Ms Doyle recalled how she and her husband experienced “the happiest day” of their lives after Eoin was born two minutes before his twin sister, Saoirse, on March 10, 2014.
“He was cuddly and affectionate, often putting his arms around you after you’d just been given out to him for something. And he knew that you couldn’t stay cross with him for very long,” she said
Eoin’s death led to an outpouring of grief in west Roscommon and east Mayo, prompting the postponement of Ballyhaunis GAA’s scheduled club championship game against The Neale.
His funeral heard that Eoin’s favourite game was soccer, which he played with Cloonfad United and with the Roscommon and District Football League academy team.
Eoin was an enthusiastic Manchester United supporter and dreamed of playing for the club one day.
“From an early age, he was kicking a ball around the house, and this continued for twelve years,” his mother said.
“Anywhere we went, there had to be a ball brought in the boot of the car.”
Eoin had also recently started playing Gaelic football with St Jarlath’s – an underage amalgamation of Eastern Gaels and Ballyhaunis – and also played golf and athletics.
Days before his death, Eoin and his family were pictured with the Sam Maguire cup when it visited Ballyhaunis. This photograph was placed on top of his coffin during the funeral mass.
A football and Manchester United jersey were brought to the altar to represent Eoin’s love of soccer, while hair gel and socks reflected the importance he placed on his appearance.
Photographs of his grandparents, twin sister Saoirse and dog Bella were also presented, along with his tablet and PlayStation controller.
Mourners heard that Eoin loved playing with Lego, Roblox, Fortnite, visiting Graune Pet Farm, sleepovers with his cousins, and spending time with his best friend, Zachary.
His mother said he had a “kind and friendly nature, with a bit of devilment” and would be deeply missed by his twin sister, who had “lost her other half”.
“Eoin was deeply loved by his family, adoring grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, but most especially by his twin sister Saoirse. She adored him,” she said.
Saoirse paid tribute to her brother as she read one of the prayers of the faithful.
“We came into the world together and have always had each other. May God look after you always,” she said.
Eoin’s mother thanked all those who had supported the family since his passing, saying there had been “an overwhelming outpouring of kindness and support since last Thursday night from all over the country”.
“It’s been so uplifting and we cannot truly describe it or comprehend it yet,” she said.
Ms Doyle said that their home had been “changed forever” by Eoin’s passing.
“We count on our Eoin to bring us strength and watch over us every day. And I feel he’s doing that already. Rest in peace, our fun and handsome boy until we meet you again,” she concluded to applause from the congregation.
Hundreds of people attended Eoin’s funeral mass at St Patrick’s Church in Cloonfad, which was packed to capacity as mourners stood outside the church and along Main Street.
The mass was streamed into the local community centre to accommodate the huge crowd.
Chief celebrant, Father Stephen Farragher, Parish Priest of Ballyhaunis, described Eoin’s death as “a tragedy that touched the hearts of the nation”.
“I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that we’re still in shock. There are many here today who are struggling to comprehend what has happened. There are questions for which we have no answers, and a sadness that words cannot adequately express,” said Fr Farragher.
Archbishop of Tuam Francis Duffy, who imparted the final blessing, concelebrated the mass with five other priests.
After leaving the church, Eoin received a guard of honour from his classmates in Cloonfad National School, where he had just started sixth class, and from members of his beloved Cloonfad United.
He has been laid to rest in Ballyhaunis Cemetery.
He is survived by his parents Declan and Elaine (née Corcoran) and his twin sister Saoirse, step-brother Conor, grandparents Pat and Marguerite Doyle and Ger & Mary Corcoran, uncles, aunts, cousins, relatives and friends.