Tributes paid to Ballinrobe footballer Éilis Maloney following sudden passing

BALLINROBE GAA & LGFA club have paid tribute to their former player, Éilis Maloney, following her sudden passing, describing her as ‘a talented footballer, a loyal colleague’ and ‘someone who always had a kind and generous word to say’

Éilis played for the club since it reformed its junior team. She soon became a prominent member of the team, which she captained on a number of occasions. She also lined out with The Neale while Ballinrobe’s ladies team went into abeyance. 

Earlier this year, she lined out against her younger sister, Claire, when Ballinrobe met Kilmaine in the Division 3 shield final. 

“Versatile and hard-working, Éilis led from the front, pushing her teammates on and always uttering words of encouragement and positivity when they were needed, either in the dressing room or on the field,” Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA Club said in a tribute on social media. 

“In the two years that followed, she continued to lead and her last game for Ballinrobe was against Shrule-Glencorrib in the championship in September, when again she gave her all. Earlier in the season, she and Claire again faced each other in a big game, this time in the league shield final in Bekan, which Kilmaine won after a tough battle in which both sisters played key roles.

“Éilis’s commitment to the club extended beyond her prowess as a player and a motivator. In 2023, she took up refereeing, becoming the club’s first accredited female referee of adult games, and she looked set to have a bright career in that area of the game also. Indeed, only in recent weeks she responded to the call of her former manager, Tom Carney, once more by refereeing a number of competitive training matches with his Mayo ladies Under-14 charges.

“Everything Éilis did, she did wholeheartedly and with positive intent. Her teammates in Ballinrobe LGFA all fondly recall her as a talented footballer, a loyal colleague and - above all - someone who always had a kind and generous word to say.

“All in Ballinrobe GAA & LGFA will miss her dearly and remember her contribution to our club with fondness and gratitude.”

The club extended their sympathies to her condolences to her parents, Vincent and Carmel, brother Seán and sister Claire, and her wider circle of family and friends.

The club will form a guard of honour at her funeral, in tribute to Éilis and in solidarity with the Maloney family. 

Kilmaine LGFA have also extended their sympathies to the Maloney family following the passing of Éilis. 

“As a club, we had many encounters on the field with Èilis who was a talented, tough, hardworking and tenacious player,” the club stated on social media.

“There were many great battles on the field between Kilmaine and Ballinrobe and more notably when the two sisters played against each other in the league shield finals this year. Éilis was a player that gave it her all and left everything on the field.”

Mayo LGFA also extended their condolences to the Maloney family. 

“A talented, tough, hardworking and tenacious player and big lover of LGFA & GAA you’d always see Éilis out supporting the women’s & men’s Mayo teams throughout the season both home and away. She took pride in the Jersey and she will be deeply missed both on and off the field The sky has gained an angel and a team mate,” read a tribute from Mayo LGFA.

She will be reposing at St Joseph’s Funeral Home, Ballinrobe (F31 XV63) on Wednesday, January 1 2025 from 4 pm to 8 pm, with private removal to her home. Requiem Mass in St Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe (F31 YA29) on Thursday, January 2 at 11.30 am with burial afterwards in the New Cemetery, Kilmaine.

May she rest in peace.