Taken far too soon
Numbness at loss of popular Niall
A deep sense of numbness and grief holds the close-knit town and parish of Carnew in its grip since last Friday morning when a young husband, father, son, friend and colleague was taken in a tragic accident while he worked.
The sporting community in Wicklow will be familiar with the name of Niall Osborne whether that was from watching him play football or hurling with his beloved Carnew Emmets or being marked by him or of reading about him in the various reports each year as league turned to championship and the men of Carnew yet again were there or thereabouts come the business end.
People from all over south Wicklow and north Wexford will be familiar with Niall from either his role within the family business, Correll’s Hardware on the main street in Carnew, or the fact that he had married and settled across the border and was in the process of rearing a beautiful family.
Behind the counter Niall was always approachable, knowledgeable, patient when non-building types like myself would come calling and ask ridiculous questions about various products, and courteous. If the conversation turned to a game just gone or fast approaching it brought forth an honest appraisal and revealed a deep knowledge of the game and the county.
On the field Niall Osborne was a tough competitor. ‘Feisty’ is a word that might suit his style of play. He was a solid player, well built, brimming with attitude in the best sense and possessing that innate Carnew spirit and that never-saydie attitude. He was a warrior.
‘The last few days have been
very tough for members of our club and parish as we mourn the passing of Niall Osborne,’ wrote the Carnew Emmets GAA Club on their Facebook page.
‘Niall has been a much-loved member of Carnew Emmets since he was a young boy, always playing with fierce passion whenever he pulled on the jersey. Talented at both codes, Niall won medals at minor and senior hurling, junior football and medals as a coach of underage teams. He was renowned for being a fierce warrior on the pitch... no one hit harder than Nialler!
‘Off the field, Niall was full of laughter and mischief. He always brought life to the room and had a wise word to say. He is loved far and wide as he has left his mark on the life of many people. We will all miss him greatly, though, his laugh, smile and pure determination will never be forgotten.
‘We extend our sincere sympathy to his wife, Róisín, kids, Katie and Billy, and family, and all of the extended Osborne family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam,’ they wrote.
Few might know that Niall scored the winning goal for Carnew against Ballygunner of
Waterford in the Féile in the late 90s. Kerry’s Ballyduff would dispatch the Wicklow side from the competition but it was no mean feat to beat the Waterford side at any grade or age and his switch from defence to the forwards on a terrible day weatherwise proved to be the move that earned victory.
No doubt there’s a million stories of his exploits over the years, both on and off the field.
‘Niall will be a massive loss to his family, friends, club and the Carnew community as a whole,’ wrote Wicklow referee Kieron Kenny in a tribute to Niall. ‘A great competitor he wore the Carnew Emmets GAA Club jersey with immense pride and purpose every time he pulled it on. He was one player you could be sure of keeping you on your toes in a game with an explanation for every decision given against Carnew demanded and not every explanation accepted. One thing that was certain and was akin to the way he played everything was left on the field when the whistle sounded at the end. Sad times for all,’ he added.
‘Such a tragic loss of a young life is incomprehensible,’ wrote Eddie Leonard. ‘A really committed warrior on the field, always ready to argue his point of view, but always had the hand out at the end for the handshake, with a rueful smile or nodding of the head,’ he added.
‘I knew Niall mainly from the many times we shared a pitch together,’ wrote referee and Aughrim native John Keenan. ‘And let me tell you, they were always eventful. A more dedicated and committed man to the blue and gold you couldn’t have gotten anywhere else.
‘Even when he was wrong, he used to tell me, he was right! The craic and banter we had on the field is something that I will always cherish. Words can’t comprehend the loss he will be in Carnew but he will also be missed throughout the county,’ he added.
Fierce competitors are always afforded respect in life and in death. It’s not forced or conceited. Tough, committed sportsmen and women earn that respect because of their honesty and their spirit. Niall Osborne’s passing is a desperate tragedy for his own young family and the Osborne and Donohoe families and no amount of words or gestures will assuage that pain and sense of loss.
But in times of terrible darkness we must hold dear to memories, and Niall Osborne left us with so many, in life and in sport. Whether it was the chat at the counter, the banter during or after a game or his impact and legacy on his beloved Carnew, you knew in your heart that Niall Osborne was a good man, an honest man, a man who will be sorely missed by all those close to him and those fortunate to know him.
Sleep well, Niall.