Westport community mourns the late Ray Cawley

The Westport community, especially those involved with Westport Rugby Club, are in mourning this week after the death of former player and avid club supporter, Ray Cawley, of Dooncastle, Aughagower, Westport.

Ray, who was in his mid-sixties, died in Mayo University Hospital on Monday evening, after a brave battle with illness.

Ray was predeceased by his brother John (USA) and sisters Dympna (England) and Attracta (Dooncastle).

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Mary, sister Mary (Castlebar), brothers Christy (Aughagower), Danny (Dublin) and Brendan (Aughagower), sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

Ray, who was a valued member of the staff of the P and T (Telecom Eireann) during his working life, married his wife Mary (nee Corduff), at a ceremony in Rome, before they set up there home in Dooncastle, near the village of Aughagower, on the outskirts of Westport.

Ray had by then already established himself as a sportsman of note in his hometown, and was widely acknowledged as one of the finest scrum-halves to play for Westport RFC during the 70s and 80s.

The late Ray Cawley

All at Westport Rugby Club were very saddened to hear the news of Ray's passing and said in a statement yesterday: “Ray played youths rugby with Westport Rugby Club and was part of the Connacht U-15 Cup team in 1975. A formidable and talented scrum half, Ray went on to play senior rugby for many seasons in the 1980s and 1990s for the club.

“Ray was an avid supporter at home games in Carrowholly and on the road throughout the province. Ray also regularly helped out on match days setting up pitches for games. We remember him very fondly at the club. We wish to extend our sincere sympathies to his wife Mary, brothers Christy, Danny, Brendan, sister Mary, sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews, relatives and his extended circle of friends. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

Ray also was also in regular attendance at Irish rugby internationals and at Mayo GAA games down through the years. He was hugely knowledgeable about the game of rugby and sport in general and all of his many friends in Toby's Bar on The Fairgreen in Westport will miss his interactions and wit for many years to come.

Ray will repose in Aughagower Community Centre this Wednesday evening from 5pm until 7pm. Requiem Mass is on Thursday at 12 noon in St Patrick's Church, Aughagower, with burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery. Mass will be live streamed on www.churchtv.ie/aughagower. May he rest in peace.