Huge sadness at the loss of Hollymount 16 year old

SAD LOSS The late Cian Coleman.

‘Cian loved life and lived life to the full’ says grieving mother


Huge sadness at the loss of Hollymount 16 year old

Michael Commins

A veil of sadness descended on South Mayo and the north Galway community around Garrafrauns last week when news broke of the death of 16 year old Cian Coleman from Shantallow, Lissatava, Hollymount. The sense of loss was palpable as the hearts of all went out to the Coleman family on their great loss.
Blessed with a sporting prowess that is the gift of only a few, Cian looked set to blaze a golden career in the various sports that were close to his heart. Without doubt he would have sported the Mayo jersey in the years ahead. He loved gaelic football and was captain of the St Colman’s team that won the Connacht First Year “A” title during his first year in the college. And being a Coleman he inherited that powerful love of Garrymore football from the outset. He was a member of the Mayo U-14 GAA School of Excellence panel prior to being diagnosed with a form of cancer two years ago.
His talents spread to the soccer fields where he played with Claremorris and was a member of the Mayo U-14 team that took part in the Kennedy Cup down in Limerick. Golf was his other sporting passion. Ballinrobe was his course and he had already graduated to the Fred Daly team.
His father Michael won a National League medal with Mayo in 2001 and played for the county team for a number of seasons. He was a stalwart of the Garrymore senior team for many years. His mother Mairead, formerly Ryder from Garrafrauns, is one of a family with strong roots in the GAA as well.
Even in his illness, Cian lost none of his pioneering spirit. In recent months he took part in a family sky dive in Offaly and also a trip to Disneyland. He met one of his favourite entertainers, Ed Sheeran from England, at his concert in Dublin last month. He undertook a helicopter and boat ride in Dublin.
Huge crowds congregated in Roundfort on Saturday evening and again for the Requiem Mass on Sunday in what was a vast outpouring of support for the Coleman and Ryder families. While people were in a long queue in Roundfort, Cian’s name was up on the big screen in Croke Park along with that of the late Sean Og O Ceallachain (Dublin and RTE) as a most respectful minute’s silence was observed as a tribute to both of them prior to the Mayo v Dublin league game.
Fr Mike Murphy, PP, who was chief celebrant, spoke of the extraordinary impact Cian had on so many people in his short life. He said the family were “people of faith, hope and love who walked every step of the journey with Cian.”
A number of poems were read and favourite songs were sung. The Mount St Michael’s School Choir from Claremorris rendered a lovely version of Amazing Grace, truly one of the most beautiful and inspiring hymns in the world.
At the end of the Mass, Cian’s mother Mairead found the great strength to deliver a remarkable tribute. She said they were left with “so many memories we will treasure forever.” She had special words of thanks for the wonderful medical and care teams who looked after Cian over the last two years.
“He loved life and he lived it to the full. He was full of colour. He loved being with his family and friends. We are so thankful that we as a family and you as his friends had this opportunity to pack so many fun things into the last few months. He got a tattoo last November on his right elbow with two stars, one inside the other,  with the words ‘family and friends’. Family and friends were his life and helped him though this journey. He has touched so many lives and this journey we have walked with Cian will stay with us forever. I hope we have all learned to live life to the full and appreciate the good things we have and always follow your dreams.
“Cian had so many dreams and loads of plans and Michael and I always encouraged him to do that and we are going to do that with Hannah and we know that Cian will always be with Hannah and there to encourage her too. We have been blessed to have Cian as our son and part of our family for the last 16 years and we are all going to miss him so dearly but we also know that he is going to be there with us in spirit … so God bless you all and thank you,” she concluded to prolonged applause.
Cian is deeply regretted by his parents Michael and Mairead, his sister Hannah, grandparents Delia Coleman and Pauline and Denis Ryder, uncles, aunts, the wider Coleman and Ryder family circles, neighbours and many friends.