Shock death of IT student (21)
TRIBUTES have been paid to a young IT Sligo student and footballer who has died after apparently contracting meningitis.
COLIN McLean, VP Academic Affairs and Registrar at IT Sligo paid tribute to Adam Mulchrone who was studying nutrition at the college.
Mr McClean in a statement said: “It is with deep regret we have learned of the death of one of our students at IT Sligo.
“All of us here extend our most sincere sympathies with family, friends and classmates at this very difficult time.
“The student sadly passed away from suspected meningitis over the weekend and we are working with the HSE to ensure that all appropriate health measures are taken.
“IT Sligo will continue to support fellow students over the coming days and months.
“The HSE advises that if anyone has any concerns, they should contact their GP in the first instance.”
Adam, from Sandyhill, Westport fell ill on Saturday and passed away on Sunday at Mayo University Hospital. Sandyhill, Westport.
Requiem Mass takes place in St. Mary’s Church, Westport on Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock with the funeral proceeding to Aughagower cemetery. He is survived by his parents Paul and Mary, brother Colin and sister Amy.
Sunday’s Connacht Cup match scheduled to take place between Carbury FC and Westport United in Westport on Sunday afternoon was called off as a mark of respect.
Speaking about Adam Mulchrone’s untimely passing, Westport United 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 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.”
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.”