The funeral of a young Keady man who died suddenly on Monday morning will take place on Thursday.
Tiarnan Fullerton’s passing sent shockwaves across the entire community with tributes pouring in from afar.
And mourners are being welcomed by the family at their home at Mullaghmore Park, in Keady, to pay their own personal respects to a young man described in a death notice as a “beloved and cherished son” and a “much-loved youngest brother”.
Tributes have continued to flood social media following the tragic loss of the young man.
His “unexpected” death on Monday has left the community numb with grief.
But nowhere will the loss of Tiarnan be felt more than within the family circle.
A son of Francis and Roisin, he was also a much-loved youngest brother of Ruairi, Caolan and Odhran.
The family are well-known in Keady and beyond and highly respected in local sporting circles.
They have strong connections with the local Sean Doran Boxing Club and close links with the GAA through football, hurling and camogie.
On Monday evening, just hours after the tragic news was confirmed, Gerard McGleenan Park – the home of Keady Michael Dwyers GFC and Ceide Lamh Dhearg hurling club – was opened to allow the community to come together to comfort one another and offer support.
GAA representatives from club and county have been paying their own tributes following the passing.
Neighbouring Derrynoose GFC extended sympathy to all who mourn for Tiarnan.
A social media post read: “Derrynoose GAC would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends with regards to the untimely death of Tiarnan Fullerton from Keady Michael Dwyers GFC & Céide Lamh Dhearg Hurling Club.
“Mary Queen of the Gael please pray for him.”
Armagh Camogie said all were “deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Tiarnan Fullerton RIP and express our sincere condolences to the Fullerton family at this very sad time”.
“Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Roisin, Francis, Ruairi, Caolan and Odhran and the wider family circle and to all the Gaels of Keady who will have been deeply affected by this tragedy,” they added.
And on a local level, St Joseph’s Camogie club committe and club members were “deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of young Keady gentleman Tiarnan Fullerton, brother in-law of senior player Jodie Hughes.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Tiarnan’s Dad Tiny, Mum Roisin, brothers Ruairi, Caolan & Odhran, the extended Fullerton family, his many friends and the whole Keady community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
St Brenda’s Camogie Club at nearby Ballymacnab said the committee and members offered their “deepest sympathy to the Fullerton family on the tragic and untimely passing of Tiarnan”, while adding: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his father Francis (Tiny), his mother Roisin, brothers Ruairi, Caolan and Odhran, the Lamh Dearg Hurling Club Keady & wider family circle.”
Newry-based Thomas Davis GFC said: “Thomas Davis would like to extend their greatest sympathy to the family and friends on the heartbreaking and untimely death of Tiarnan Fullerton.
“Our thoughts are also with Keady Michael Dwyers GFC and Ceide Lamh Dhearg at this difficult time. Ar dheis dé go raibh a-anam.”
And Craobh Rua hurling club in Camlough said: “An Coiste , members and our entire Club family is saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Tiarnan Fullerton, son of fellow hurling Gael, Francis (Tiny).
“We would wish to extend our deepest sympathies to him, his wife, Sons and the extended Fullerton family circle, all at Keady Lamh Dearg Hurling Club and the entire Keady Community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Clonmore Robert Emmets GAA also took to social media to offer condolences.
The club wrote: “Committee, players and members of Clonmore Robert Emmets extend their sympathy to the family of Tiarnan Fullerton whose sudden and untimely death has shocked and saddened the community.
“To the entire Fullerton family and fellow Gaels in Keady ,Michael Dwyers GFC and Céidi Lamh Dhearg, hurling club, we stand in solidarity with you at this the most difficult of times.
“Ar dheis dé go raibh a-anam.”
Tributes even came in from neighbouring county set-ups.
Monaghan GAA said they wished to “extend our deepest sympathies to the Fullerton family, Tiaran’s friends, team mates, Keady Michael Dwyers GFC & Céide Lamh Dhearg Hurling Club Armagh GAA on the sudden and untimely passing of Tiarnan”.
Among others paying tribute and offering condolences were Ballymacnab Round Towers, Granemore GFC, Dorsey Emmetts, and St Malachy’s Hurling Club in Portadown.
The funeral will now take place on Thursday, leaving the family home at Mullaghmore Park in Keady to arrive at St Patrick’s Church for 2pm funeral mass.
Afterwards, Tiarnan will be laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
The family home will be open for callers ahead of the funeral.
A death notice states: “Family welcome people to their home to pay their own personal respects. As parking is limited around the house wake attendees are invited to park at SFM Engineering (top of Tassagh Rd) after 6pm both nights and proceed on foot or be taxied to and from the home.”
Meanwhile, donations in lieu of flowers if so desired are being accepted for PIPS N.I, c/o any family member or Mone Funeral Directors Keady.
To Tiarnan’s parents, Francis and Roisin, brothers Ruairi, Caolan and Odhran, grandmothers Moyra and Monina, uncles, aunts, cousins and very many friends, we extend our deepest sympathy at this time.
