Brian Casey is laid to rest in Lissycasey

LISSYCASEY and much of West Clare came to a standstill on New Year’s Day when Brian Casey was laid to rest.

The 26-year-old Ballydineen, Lissycasey man, who was employed as a teacher with FÁS in Mallow, died following an incident in Ennis on St Stephen’s night.
Such was the attendance at the removal from the Casey household, shuttle buses operated from Talty’s in Lissycasey and the Crossroads pub in Knockalough, Kilmihil.
In a moving tribute at the funeral mass, Brian’s sister Martina described him as “a model teacher, an inspiring son, a loyal friend and a most wonderful brother”.
Martina spoke of the special bond he had with each member of his family and of how his love for his father was illustrated on a plaque in the family home, which said “Dads are people to look up to no matter how tall you grow”.
Martina also referred to how their mother, Eileen, tried to encourage Brian to play music or learn how to set dance but that he had chosen to play football.
She also spoke about Brian’s relationship with his girlfriend Cecilia, which spanned 10 years.
“Throughout their teenage years, friendship changed to romance and they became inseparable soul mates. We know that their hearts will always belong to one another,” she said.
“He has left many things undone and there are other things he didn’t have a chance to start. Brian’s outgoing, fun-loving personality ensured that he made so many new friends. He developed into a model teacher, an inspiring son and loyal friend. Not only were we brother and sister, we were also confidants and best friends. For Aileen, Niall and me, he was the most wonderful brother,” Martina said.
“His discipline, sacrifice and courage served him well in all walks of life. His most treasured memory will surely be October 14, 2007, when Lissycasey secured the Jack Daly Cup, the county senior football title. Brian was a member of the victorious panel. He became a role model for many younger football players in the parish. Brian has left behind much more than an empty jersey hanging on a peg in the dressing room. He wore the maroon and white jersey with such pride and passion,” she added.
All local GAA clubs joined Lissycasey GAA Club in a guard of honour, while the Kilmurry Ibrickane team arrived at the removal on New Year’s Eve.
Lissycasey and local clubs also linked up to help provide stewarding on both days of the funeral.
Although the funeral mass was set for 12 midday, Lissycasey parish church was full at 11.15 am.
“We have no answers as to why this happened to someone so good,” chief celebrant Fr Peter O’Loughlin said at the mass.
“We have questions as to why and we will have those for a long time to come,” he said, when addressing Brian’s family, parents Marty and Eileen, sisters Martina and Aileen, brother Niall and girlfriend Cecilia.
Fr O’Loughlin paid tribute to the community for the tremendous generosity they had shown. “We don’t have words but by our presence we are saying that we are with you,” was the message he felt the community were trying to convey to the Casey family.
Gifts brought to the altar by family and friends included Blue cards, marking Brian’s interest in farming and in the family farm at Labasheeda; his football medals won in a variety of grades with Lissycasey; his football jersey and a woodwork project by one of his students at college in Mallow. Brian’s brother Niall explained that presenting this project reflected how Brian’s priority was to pass on his passion and enthusiasm to his pupils and that Brian’s passion, pride and determination had always shone through.
Musical tributes at the mass included You Raise Me Up, Never Mind the Strangers ‘Cause I’ll Always be your Friend, I’m An Ordinary Man and Maroon and White Forever, which was sang by Brian’s Lissycasey team-mates at his graveside.
Brian’s friends on the Lissycasey senior panel flanked his coffin, which was draped in the club colours, on its final journey from the church to the graveyard.