Popular sportsman Neil (37) was well liked by everybody

NEIL Davoren has been remembered as a popular and well-liked sportsman after passing away at age 37, with his final act of kindness being the donation of his organs after his death.

The Old Bawn native was a familiar sight on the pitch as a GAA player for Thomas Davis and a footballer for Newtown Park Rangers AFC and played football for Aylesbury as a child.

Neil was a Lucan-based postman and a past pupil of Scoil Maelruain and Old Bawn Community School. He was a dedicated family man to his wife Niamh and their children Ted and Isabelle.

Larry Doyle, who was Neil’s manager when he was a juvenile player in Thomas Davis, fondly recalled the young player’s likeable personality and impact on those around him.

“I had Neil from when he was in the Under 7s way up to when he played for the minor team, and you could see from the very start that he was going to be a very good footballer,” Larry told The Echo.

The Thomas Davis team with Neil Daveron (back row, third from right) before their Division Six league match with Ballyfermot De La Salle at Kiltipper Road last April

“He was liked by all the lads all the way up and if there was any mischief going on, he was in the middle of it! He was a lovely guy.”

The father-of-two passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, January 14, after he fell ill following a medical procedure.

“It’s devastating,” added Larry. “It’s so hard to believe it…to end up losing his life, it’s devastating for his family and the community, it’ll be very hard to get over.

“Neil was a very happy-go-lucky chap, he was well liked by everybody – everyone that met him liked him, and he was a very good sportsman. He played sport all his life.”

Neil’s funeral was held last Friday, January 18, in St Martin de Porres Church in Aylesbury.

Neil Davoren, much loved husband of Niamh and adored daddy to Ted and Isabelle.

Sadly missed by his loving family, mother Marian, father Myles, brother Shane, sister Aoife, sisters-in-law Annette and Fiona, brothers-in-law Simon, John and Colin (Wobbles), mother-in-law Trisha, father-in-law John, niece Aoibheann, relatives and large circle of friends.