Tributes have been paid to a talented former athlete and dedicated Gaelic club ambassador for O’Connells GAC, Tullysaran.
Caroline O’Neill passed away at home following a long battle with illness on Tuesday, April 8.
She was the loving wife of Seán and devoted mother to Pádraic and Eimear.
After marrying her husband Seán, Caroline moved to Culloville, but she had previously hailed from Tullysaran – a place where she had spent many years becoming enmeshed within the Gaelic games at her hometown’s club, O’Connells GAC.
In her youth, she was an avid and talented footballer, playing at both club and county level.
Her sporting successes and passion for the sport saw her marked as a “true Gael on and off the pitch” by many.
The committee, players, and members of O’Connells GAC paid a heartfelt tribute to their former player, team-mate, coach, and club secretary upon learning of her passing: “Caroline was instrumental in bringing our football and camogie clubs together under one banner.
“Her leadership, vision, and tireless service left a lasting legacy within our club. She served as Camogie Chairperson for 16 years, a role she held with unwavering commitment and pride.
“Caroline picked up her love of the GAA and O’Connells GAC from her father, long-serving Club Chairman Brendan, RIP.
“To Caroline’s husband Seán, to her children Pádraic and Eimear, to her mother Bernie, sister Sharon, and to her brother and our current Club Chairman Damien, and to the entire O’Neill and Smyth extended family circles, we at the club extend our heartfelt sympathy.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.”
As a mark of respect, all Club activity at O’Connell Park has been suspended until after the funeral.
Off the field, Caroline continued to be held in high esteem by all who knew her. She was known as an inherently kind person, a genuinely “lovely girl” with an incredibly “beautiful soul.”
Paying tribute to a memorable friend, one person said: “So very sorry to hear this, many a great battle we had on the field, but always left it on the field.
“Very fond memories of Caroline, may she Rest In Peace. Sincere sympathies to Sean, her children Padraic and Eimear, Sharon, Damien, and her mummy Bernie, thinking of you all.”
Another person added: “Caroline, it was a pleasure knowing someone so beautiful on the inside and out.
“From our days at Tullymore Primary School to Derry, it was an honour to be your friend for all those years. We may have lost a beautiful soul, but Heaven has gained an Angel.”
A death notice described her as the loving wife of Seán, devoted mummy of Pádraic and Eimear, beloved daughter of Bernadette, the late Brendan, daughter-in-law of Kitty and the late Patsy, and dear sister of Sharon McArdle and Damien.
Caroline will be reposing at her home, 18 Drumbee Road BT35 9JQ, today (Wednesday) and Thursday, with her funeral to take place on Friday to St. Patrick’s Crossmaglen for 11am Mass. Burial will take place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
