SHOCK AFTER SUDDEN DEATH OF KIERAN
THE COMMUNITY of north Wicklow is heartbroken after the death of local man Kieran Doyle, a wonderful father, sportsman and friend. Kieran, pictured above, died last Thursday.
He is survived by his wife Yvonne, his children Sinéad and Mikey and his mother Catherine.
He was from Red Lane in Kilmacanogue and loved sports of all kinds. He played rugby and golf, and was involved with Glencormac United and Kilmacanogue GAA.
Kilmcanogue GAA said: ‘He served as a treasurer of the club over the years and more recently as a juvenile trainer and mentor for the under-13s, alongside his wife Yvonne. The kids he trained all knew and loved him, he was patient and kind. Off the field, his laugh was infectious, he found humour in everything, he was great company with his quick wit and knowledge.’
Kieran will be remembered as a gentleman and devoted family man.
A MINUTE’S silence was observed at last Monday’s Wicklow Cup Quarter final between Glencormac United and Shamrock Celtic, in memory of the late Kieran Doyle.
Kieran died suddenly last Thursday, to the heartbreak of his wife Yvonne, children Sinéad and Mikey, his mother Catherine, and all of his family members.
The Red Lane man loved sports. He played underage for Bray Wanderers and went on to play for Glencormac United. He also played rugby and golf but his greatest passion was Kilmac GAA. He played both football and hurling for the club from childhood and as a senior player until the late 1990s.
He won a championship medal in 1997. ‘Kieran was a solid supporter, with a deep understanding of the game,’ said Kilmcanogue GAA. ‘He served as a treasurer of the club over the years and more recently as a juvenile trainer and mentor for the U13s, alongside his wife Yvonne. The kids he trained all knew and loved him, he was patient and kind. Off the field, his laugh was infectious, he found humour in everything, he was great company with his quick wit and knowledge.’
Kieran’s own children played for the club and he served as an officer when he stopped playing. He was involved also in coaching the kids.
‘He was a great guy, just fun to be around, never in bad humour,’ said Cllr Christopher Fox, a close friend of Kieran’s, who also spoke at t the funeral last Sunday.
‘He was a great character in the dressing room. He was so well-liked by everyone in the club and all the clubs he was involved in.’
Kieran worked as an accountant for Kerry Foods in Shillelagh. He loved his work and d had many friends there.
He married a local girl and they built a house in Kilmacanogue.
‘His first love was sitting out in the back k garden, looking out at the Glen of the Downs with his family and friends around him,’ said Chris.
He was going to celebrate his 50th birthday next year. ‘Knowing Kieran it would have been a big party,’ said Chris. ‘He knew what life was all about.’
He said that ‘Doyler’ wanted to be good at everything he turned his hand to, from sports to work. ‘It turned out he was best at being a family man.’
Kieran’s family will take great consolation from the fact that his organs were donated, Chris said. ‘Six people benefited,’ he said. ‘ Yvonne has received texts to say that this will be life-changing for the recipients – particularly the person who got his heart. It was such a wonderful gift to give on their darkest day.’
Yvonnes’s family are close by and will rally around the family, as will the entire community of Kilmacanogue and Bray, where the children attend Loreto and Pres. They are receiving support from their school communities.
‘ The whole village is absolutely numb,’ said Chris on the sadness in Kilmac this week. ‘ The village has been hit quite hard over the last couple of years, particularly with younger people. You never get used to it.’
Glencormac United called off all games and training over the weekend as a mark of respect.
A large crowd of people made their way to St Mochonog’s Church in Kilmacanogue last Sunday to bid farewell to Doyler before he was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
“His laugh was infectious, he found humour in everything and he was great company”