Westport United FC pay tribute to player who has died suddenly
THE chairman and manager of Westport United have posted a joint statement on the club's Facebook page paying tribute to one of the club's players, Adam Mulchrone, aged 21, who died at Mayo University Hospital yesterday after falling ill.
Speaking about Adam's untimely passing, club chairman, Myles Staunton, said: “The club is shocked and deeply saddened to hear this terrible news.
“On the football pitch, Adam was a key member of our flagship Super League team and was an exciting and skilful player whose talents were recognised recently when he was nominated as 'Young Player of the Year' at the Mayo Football League awards.
"Off the pitch he was a quietly spoken, self assured and modest young man, who was a credit to his family and who was hugely respected by his fellow players and indeed all supporters within the club.
“Naturally, the players and the backroom staff of our Super League team are devastated and the club will provide all the help and support it can to help the players come to terms with this terrible news.
“On behalf of all of our club members and the close knit family of Westport United, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Adam’s family and wish to assure them that Adam will always be remembered as a very special member of our club.”
Speaking on behalf of the team, manager Pádraig Burns said: “There are no words that can come close to describing the feeling of devastation and heartbreak in our team.
"We trained on Saturday and Adam was with us and we were looking forward to a big Connaught Cup game on Sunday and then everything just paled into insignificance when we heard what had happened Adam.
“He was just the most genuine, decent and such a respectful young man who we all loved dearly. He was a quiet young man but when he got on to a football pitch he did his talking with his boots.
“Adam was one of the most skilful and technically accomplished footballers that I had the pleasure of working with and I have no doubt that he would have gone on to have had a hugely distinguished career with Westport United.
“All our thoughts at this time are with his family members and they can rest assured that we will never forget Adam and the joy that he brought to all of our lives.”
Adam is survived by his parents Paul and Mary, brother Colin, sister Amy, relatives and friends, to whom heart-felt sympathy is tendered.
His remains will be reposing at McGing's Funeral Home, Westport, on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Requiem Mass takes place on Thursday at 2 p.m. with burial afterwards in the Aughagower Cemetery.