'Shane had so much ahead of him' - funeral takes place of Kilkenny man who died during charity match

"There will forever be a void in our hearts,” mourners at the funeral of Shane Murphy heard yesterday morning.

The funeral for the 42-year-old father, who tragically and unexpectedly passed away last week in Kilkenny, took place at the Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Shane's home town of Kilmanagh at 11am.

Shane, who had been serving as the Chairman of River Rangers AFC in Co Kilkenny, fell ill during the soccer match on Wednesday evening August 21, and sadly passed away.

The match had been organised in support of  local cancer support centre Cois Nore. Soccer and hurling communities in Kilkenny were united in their grief yesterday as they formed a guard of honour to say goodbye to their most dedicated team mate.

Mourners at Shane Murphy’s funeral mass remembered him as a 'young man full of life and promise'. Shane’s brother, Darragh spoke at the funeral, describing Shane as a 'fearless leader, so dedicated, so committed'.

Speaking of his brother's commitment to his local club, Darragh said: "Shane is the absolute definition of a captain and a leader. Off the pitch, Shane worked relentlessly to better River Rangers AFC. He has served as treasurer, secretary and chairman, sometimes all at the same time.

"Over the years, the soccer club has endured some truly difficult times but Shane was the driving force, moving River Rangers forwards and upwards, resulting in the thriving club it is today. Those size 12 boots will be impossible to fill.”

While Shane was a passionate sportsman, his true passion was his family, Darragh explained.

“But obviously, Shane’s big passion and one true love is his darling wife, Maeve,” added Darragh. “He adores her and they have had many great times and travels together including driving across Australia.

"Since then, Shane and Maeve have gotten married and built a beautiful home together and not long after came along their pride and joy, their son and my beautiful godson, Bill.

"From the day Bill was born, Shane has done everything with him and their bond has grown stronger with each day and that bond is now unbreakable.

"So Shane, you have been an amazing brother, son, husband, father and everything in-between. I’m pretty sure I speak for everyone here today in saying that you will be sorely missed and there will forever be a void in all our hearts.”

Shane was then laid to rest in St Mary’s Cemetery in Ballykeeffe.

Tributes continue to be made to the Kilmanagh father, with one condolence saying: "Shane always had time for a chat, and was nothing short of a gent. Thinking of you all at this extremely sad and difficult time. May he rest in peace".

Another wrote that they "played both soccer and hurling with Shane, an excellent mentor to all players with the strongest passion and desire to win ! May he rest in peace."

Shane is deeply regretted and sadly missed by his heartbroken family, his loving wife Maeve, his adored son Bill, parents Mary and Chris, his brother Darragh, sister-in-law Orlaith, parents-in-law Margaret and Ray, brother-in-law Richard, Richard’s partner Sara, grandmother-in-law Vera, uncles, aunts, his niece Ruby, nephews Harry and Jack, cousins, friends at River Rangers AFC, Graigue Ballycallan Hurling Club, the Kilkenny soccer community, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.