More than 1,000 people turned up in Longford yesterday for the funeral Mass of a much-loved young soccer star who died tragically at the weekend.
Shane Brennan (23), who was on the books of Athlone Town and was also on the panel for the Irish combined colleges team, was laid to rest in Ballymacormack Cemetery.
He died as a result of injuries sustained in a fall from the roof of a disused school in his home village of Newtownforbes on Friday night.
Players, officials and supporters from Athlone Town, Longford Town senior and youths teams, Longford Town Supporters' Club, and Clonguish GAA Club provided a guard of honour on Mr Brennan's final journey. Athlone Town, Longford Town and Clonguish GAA club jerseys were brought to the altar as part of the offertory procession.
The attendance over the two days of the obsequies included the president of the FAI Milo Corcoran, the chairman of the FAI Eircom League Paddy McCaul, and former taoiseach Albert Reynolds.
Chief celebrant Fr Hugh Turbitt, the parish priest of Newtownforbes, described Mr Brennan as a kind person who was "chirpy and cheerful, a lover of sport, a hard-worker, a loyal friend, and a man full of life and joy. He looked out for others."
He extended sympathy to Mr Brennan's parents John Joe and Margaret, and his brother Stephen, on their loss, and expressed the hope they would have many happy memories of Shane's short life.
St Mel's Cathedral was full to overflowing and locals struggled to recall a bigger funeral in the town.
Representatives from Eircom League clubs all over Ireland were also in attendance to pay their last respects to Shane Brennan.
This Friday night's Eircom League game between Athlone Town and Galway United has been postponed as a mark of respect.
Apart from being a talented soccer player, Mr Brennan also played for Clonguish GAA Club and played in their Longford junior football championship triumph last year. He was a final year retail and service management student at Dublin Institute of Technology, Aungier Street.