Popular Liverpool fan Paul had a love for football
Popular Ballyroan man Paul Gillen’s funeral took place on Monday, 15 January, with mourners wearing red to signify his love of Liverpool FC, reports Aura McMenamin.
The 25-year-old died suddenly last Thursday following a football match with his friends.
It is understood that the beloved football fanatic had an underlying heart condition.
Ahead of Monday morning’s funeral in the Church of the Holy Spirit Ballyroan, the Gillen family asked that mourners wear red to remember Paul’s love of Liverpool FC.
According to his uncle Tony, Paul was buried in his Liverpool jersey, while “You Will Never Walk Alone” was sang during the service.
Tony told The Echo: “It was even more special that Liverpool won on Sunday [against Manchester City].
“We contacted Liverpool FC and they responded fairly quickly, they’re going to send the family a memorial for Paul.
Players from Ballyboden St Enda’s GAA club formed a ‘Boden’ guard of honour on Monday, to remember Gillen, who had played underage football for the club.
Writing on Facebook, the club said: “Paul played underage football for Ballyboden St Enda’s and was an excellent footballer. The Gillen family are great supporters of the club and our condolences are with everyone at this time.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Paul leaves behind parents Padraig and Lillian, siblings Shaun, Orlagh, David, Ryan and Lisa and grandparents Tony and Kay, Agnes and the late Sean (Walsh).
A love of football ran through the family, with his brothers Dave and Ryan’s club, Firhouse Clover FC, writing on Saturday:
“The club is deeply saddened to hear some awful news and we offer our condolences to our Saturday team players and brothers Dave and Ryan Gillen on the tragic news of the passing of their brother Paul while playing football on Thursday night. [It] is very hard to take at such a young age.
“Dave and Ryan are two very popular players around the club and we will support them in the coming days and from all at Firhouse Clover FC sincere condolences to the lads and their family at this sad time.
The club called off their match against Templeogue United in respect to the brothers.
Meanwhile, brother Shaun’s Knocklyon United FC, where Paul had also previously played, said:
“Deepest sympathies to Shaun Gillen, senior player at Knocklyon United, on the sad passing of his brother Paul.
“Paudie, Lillian and the Gillen family have a long association with the club and they are in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.”
Paul’s family asked mourners to donate to Heart Children Ireland, based in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin.
TAGS news
