GAA community 'shocked' after death of talented footballer (20)
Tributes have been paid following the death of a talented footballer from Co Clare.
Éanna Rouine (20), a promising young player who played for Ennistymon, died on Tuesday at St James' Hospital in Dublin.
Rouine represented Clare at minor and under-20 level while he also won an All-Ireland Freshers Football title at the University of Limerick, where he was a second-year student.
"The Clare GAA community is deeply shocked and profoundly saddened by the untimely passing of Ennistymon’s Éanna Rouine on Tuesday morning," Clare GAA posted on social media.
"Éanna was an extremely talented and promising young footballer with both club and county. He represented Clare at Minor level in 2021, was part of the Clare U20 panel from 2022 to 2024 and was a star of the Ennistymon CBS football team when the school landed the famous achievement of a provincial double in 2023.
"Éanna was a second year student at UL and had already won an All Ireland Freshers Football title with the college. While important achievements and now so important to cherish, these of course are only measures of him as an athlete and a player.
"Above anything else Éanna was a popular and beloved young man with his whole life ahead of him.
"His loss has left a void that words cannot fill, and his absence will be felt not only on the field but in the hearts of all who knew him in his community and circle of friends in North Clare.
"At this heartbreaking time, Clare GAA extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to his clubmates, his many friends, and above all, to his devastated and heartbroken family - parents Catríona and John and his siblings, Eoin, Dara and Bríd-Aine and the extended Rouine and O’Gorman families.
"We stand in solidarity with them in their grief, and we honour the memory of a young life taken far too soon."
Ennistymon also expressed their "shock and sadness" upon learning of Éanna's passing.
"All in Ennistymon GAA are shocked & saddened at the untimely passing of our great teammate & friend Éanna," the club posted on social media.
"A truly talented & accomplished sportsman, but much more than that, he was intelligent, witty, a strong academic performer, a talented musician, a loyal friend & a loving son, grandson & brother.
"His on field successes are too numerous to list. His passing will leave a void in the club that we will all struggle to deal with together in the days, months & years ahead.
"To his parents Cáitriona & John, his brothers Eoin & Dara, his sister Brid Áine, his grandmother Bridget, his Uncles, Aunts, Cousins and all the Rouine & O'Gorman families we offer our sincere heartfelt condolences, in the knowledge that no words can truly console you at this terrible time. Ar Dheis de go raibh a anam."
University of Limerick GAA club said: "All at UL GAA club are deeply saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Éanna Rouine.
"Éanna represented the club at Sigerson 1 and 2 level and was part of last year’s historic Fresher 1 League Victory. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates at this difficult time."