Maryland in mourning over passing of former star

Maryland GAA and the wider Westmeath GAA community has been plunged into mourning with the passing of Eoin Farrell yesterday (Sunday).

Despite still being a young man, Eoin, who was fondly known as Eoinie, gave years of service to Maryland GAA in various capacities. On the pitch he was both a goalkeeper and an outfield player for Maryland, and he also volunteered as a mentor with the Maryland/Tang club.

A native of Walderstown, Eoin was a key figure in the Maryland team which ended a long wait for Westmeath intermediate championship success in 2008.

Eoin won a Leinster minor championship medal with Westmeath in 2000, when Ambrose McGowan's charges memorably defeated Dublin in the final. Eoin's first cousin Gary Flanagan was also part of that victorious squad.

Eoin went on to represent Westmeath at under-21 and senior level. In more recent years, Eoin served as a selector with the Westmeath minor footballers.

During his time as a student in what was then Athlone IT, Eoin represented the college with distinction in the Sigerson Cup on many occasions.

A son of Goretti (née Flanagan) and former Westmeath GAA chairman Tom Farrell (also a local councillor), Eoin hails from a family steeped in the GAA. Eoin's brothers Conor, Ronan and Trevor are dedicated Maryland players, with Ronan and Trevor also well known as hurlers with Southern Gaels.

Eoinie was also a talented soccer goalkeeper as a youngster, playing with Temple Villa among other teams.

Married to Eimear Murphy, Eoinie has been battling illness with characteristic bravery in recent months.

Maryland GAA has paid a heartfelt tribute to Eoin, a hugely popular young man locally and indeed much further afield.

"The untimely passing of Eoin Farrell has left Maryland GAA numb and deeply saddened. Eoinie, as many people referred to him, made a massive contribution to Maryland GAA, both as a player between 1998 and 2016, and as a volunteer," said a club statement.

"Eoinie had a distinguished underage career, winning three Cumann na mBunscol titles with Ardnagrath NS (including one alongside future wife Eimear) and obtaining numerous underage successes with Maryland/Tang and Shannon Gaels. He was also part of the Marist College team who lost the Leinster Senior ‘A’ football final in 1999 to Good Counsel, New Ross.

"He came to prominence at county level playing as a goalkeeper and was an integral part of the Westmeath minor football team who were crowned Leinster champions in 2000. A memorable 2-9 to 1-10 win over Dublin in the final saw Eoinie make a key save and also embark on a solo run out the field, long before the trends of today's netminders were in vogue."

The club recalled how Eoin played in goals for Maryland in the 1999 intermediate final against Ballynacargy, which required two replays to decide, and he was an outfield player in the 2006 final against Bunbrosna.

"Manning the number 6 jersey again in 2008, he was an important part of the team who finally won the Intermediate championship in 2008, defeating Ballynacargy by 1-11 to 1-10 after extra time in another replay. His form resulted in him being called into the Westmeath senior football panel and he saw action in the 2009 O'Byrne Cup.”

In a very successful era for Maryland, Eoinie also enjoyed success in the Celebrity Bainisteoir competition in 2008, and he won ACFL Division 2 and All-Ireland Intermediate 7s medals with the club (both 2009).

"He assumed the role of joint treasurer in Maryland/Tang at the end of 2018, and contributed massive work. This included providing jerseys and club gear to underage players, and setting up a club website. His last contribution was to offer all players training tops, club hats and a football each," said the club tribute.

"An all round GAA fanatic, Eoinie has left imprints in GAA clubs from his travels; Westmeath New York, John McBrides (Chicago) and Wellington (New Zealand) all benefitted from his playing prowess and voluntary efforts. He played football like he lived life, a massive sense of fun and enjoyment. We express our condolences to his wife Eimear, and to the Farrell and Murphy families. Codladh Sámh Eoinie," added the club tribute.

As a mark of respect following the passing of Eoin, all Maryland GAA club activities are postponed until further notice.

The passing of Eoin follows the death of another renowned local player, Enda Mulvihill of Garrycastle, and no doubt, both men will be in the thoughts of all current Westmeath players, officials and supporters as the build-up continues to next Sunday's Tailteann Cup final.