This article is from page 4 of the 2011-06-07 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
PARTS of Ennis came to a standstill on Thursday as huge crowds gathered to say a final goodbye to local man Niall White, who passed away last week.
Family, friends and former teammates lined Lifford Road as Niall’s coffin made the short journey from the White family home to nearby St Joseph’s Church.
Members of the three teams that Niall played for – Clare, St Joseph’s Doora Barefield and Lifford AFC – took it in turns to carry the coffin before members of the White family carried Niall to the church.
Representatives of all three teams formed an exemplorary guard of honour after the ceremony as mourners queued for almost an hour to pay their respects to the family.
A talented sportsman, Niall played both hurling and football for St Joseph’s Doora Barefield. He had been a member of the Clare senior football panel for the past three years, having previously represented his county at minor and under 21 level.
Niall was also a committed soccer player and had been a key member of Lifford’s junior team in recent years.
Items carried to the altar reflected Niall’s love of sport and music. They included a pair of football boots, a Doora Barefield jersey, a Clare jersey, an Abercrombie and Fitch hoodie and an iPod.
Hundreds of mourners filled the church, with more people standing outside as Fr Jerry Carey and family members paid warm tributes to Niall.
Niall’s parents Pat and Mary and his sister Ciara listened on as Fr Carey recalled Niall’s warm personality, saying he had an “electric smile” that would brighten up a room “stronger than any words would”.
Niall’s uncle recalled arriving at the White household last week and seeing a pile of photographs of Niall in his nephew’s room. He described Niall as a popular young man with a wide circle of friends. He said everyone that knew Niall has their own favourite memories or shared moments. He said Niall was a “truly kind and loving person”, adding that in order for a person to love they had to be loved. He said, “You were loved and you will be in our hearts for eternity.”