Laois community in grief at death of young teenager
After a brave battle with cancer, a young Laois teenager died on Saturday, December 10, leaving his family and community grief stricken.
Many tributes have been paid by clubs including Shamrock Rovers FC, to the late Eoin Coss, 14, from Mountmellick, who had been the focus of much community support and fundraising events after he was diagnosed with cancer last February.
Eoin of 11 Grove Park, Mountmellick, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.
Predeceased by his Grandfather Patrick Dunne, his death is deeply regretted by his loving parents Martina and Kevin, his bothers Rian and Darragh, grand parents Bridget Dunne, Eddie and Sadie Coss, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and a large circle of family and friends.
Eoin will be reposing in his home (11 Grove Park, Mountmellick) on Sunday from 3pm. Recital of the Rosary at 6pm. Removal on Monday morning at 10.40am to St Joseph's Church, Mountmellick arriving for 11 am Requiem Mass. Burial afterwards in St Joseph's Cemetery, Mountmellick. House private on Monday morning please. Donations in lieu to Laura Lynn Foundation. The Mass will be live streamed on www.mountmellickparish.ie
A talented sports player, Eoin was a member of Mountmellick United FC and Mountmellick GAA Club, with talent that shone out on the sporting field.
The soccer club has expressed their grief in a touching tribute.
"At a time like this, words can appear hollow. No matter what is said, little comfort can come from them. This morning, one of our brightest young stars sadly slipped away after a battle so bravely borne. Surrounded by his adoring parents Kevin and Martina and his brothers who idolised him, Eoin Coss passed away peacefully at home. He was just 14 years of age.
"Anyone who knew Eoin on or off the soccer pitch would have been in no way surprised by the manner in which he accepted his diagnosis less than a year ago and readied himself for the battle that lay ahead. Not once did the cheeky smile disappear from his face, his quick wit and charm remained firmly intact and his love of sports and just being out and about never once waned over the hugely challenging past twelve months.
"It seems like a cliché but everyone associated with Eoin knew he was a kid destined for great things. He started his soccer journey with us as a 7 year old in our academy and instantly showed what would make him stand out for the rest of his life. Considerably stronger than players his own age, Eoin looked out of place amongst the others in the academy setup but that was only a sign of things to come because for the rest of his tragically short sporting career, he was always the one that stood out.
"He dominated games, taking them by the scruff of the neck and encouraging his teammates to do the same. Nothing but his best was ever good enough, and it was that attitude and desire that saw Eoin captain every team he played on through the age groups and led to his selection on every regional and league representative panel that was going.
"As good as he was with his feet and his head, he was just as good with his heart. He was a humble winner and displayed sportsmanship and a sense of fair play that even the game’s most lauded global stars could learn a thing or two from. His dad Kevin was by his side for every step of his sporting journey, coaching teams that relied hugely on the input from their star man, his son Eoin.
"An avid soccer fan, Eoin’s two main loves in the game were Liverpool and Shamrock Rovers. He enjoyed trips to watch both, and it was a great source of pride when Rovers sent a select eleven of their veteran players to take on a Laois Masters side in a benefit game for Eoin during the summer. Eoin loved every minute of that day.
"Any of Eoin’s managers and teammates will testify that Eoin had all the hallmarks of a player who could have gone on to don the famous green and white hoops of Rovers or even the all red of Liverpool FC. We all know how good Eoin was and how great he would have been, but fate intervened and unfortunately for us here at the club, for the wider sporting world but most of all for his adoring family, we will never see this young superstar develop into the wonderful sportsman and even better man that he undoubtedly would have been.
"Eoin Coss leaves behind a legacy that belies his tender years, and while right now all we can feel is sadness at his untimely passing, we know that the mark he has made on all of us is indelible. He lives on in his teammates who were inspired by him, his friends who laughed with him and his family who loved him, and always will.
May his gentle soul rest in peace."
"All at the club are saddened at the news of the passing of young Eoin Coss, a great Hoops fan from Mountmellick, Co. Laois. Our thoughts are with the Coss family and Eoin's many friends at this sad time.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."
Mountmellick GAA Club joined in expressing their grief, and describing the exceptional sporting talent that Eoin possessed.
"We are devastated at the passing of Eoin Coss. He left this world at the age of only 14, surrounded by his family after an illness so bravely borne up to the end- one of his strongest traits was never giving up, no matter what he was faced with.
"We were lucky enough to have Eoin play football with us since he was just 5. He almost always played a grade above his age group and never looked out of place. He played in Croke Park with our u10 team while he was only u8 himself.
"He was also a very talented hurler and played with us up to u13.
"He was tough as nails and would often leave a football or hurling game or blitz and go straight on to give the same skill, strength and determination to a soccer game- he shared his dedication to us with our friends at Mountmellick UFC. His love for sport was also reflected in his support of Laois, Liverpool and Shamrock Rovers.
"Eoin was a true team player- humble in victory and gracious in defeat. He was a son, a brother, a friend, a teammate and an all around incredible person who inspired so many.
"No words that we have will be able to express how much he will be missed. We can only hope that his family and friends may find strength in the love they shared and be sustained by their many happy memories in the dreadfully sad days ahead.
Rest easy Eoin- and thank you. Suaimhneas sioraí dá anam."
The Midland Schoolboys League gave a tribute too.
"All at the Midlands Schoolboygirls League are saddened at the news of the passing of young Eoin Coss. When the sad news reached me early this morning of Eoins passing after his illness. Memories came flooding back of a young 10 year old playing for Mountmellick Utd who soon became part of the leagues ETP over a number of years and most recently was part of last year’s Kennedy cup squad taking after his brother and the wider Coss family.
"Eoin was an excellent footballer and a lovely young man both on and off the field of play. He was a man among boys as a player who would have gone onto play at the highest level. He was football mad and a huge supporter of Liverpool FC. He tackled his illness the way he played his football, head on with class. Our taughts at this sad time are now with his Dad Kevin his ma Martina his brothers family Friends and the community of Mountmellick. May Eoins gentle soul rest in peace. YNWA
Eoin was a pupil of Mountmellick Community School, who offered sympathies to his family and said "heaven has gained an angel today".
Many others have joined in expressions of sympathy, including Kilcavan GAA Club, Abbeyleix Juvenile Soccer Club, Mucklagh Soccer Club, Killeigh Schoolboys and Girls Soccer Club, Mountmellick Youth & Family Resource Centre, The Rock GAA Club, FAI Offaly and local businesses.