Family, friends and teammates left numb after horrific death
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ON a bitterly cold and dark night, the family, friends and teammates of Shane Geoghegan broke down in tears as his body was brought to his mother's home.
The highly popular and respected amateur rugby player will be waked in the house -- which is just yards from the his own home in the Kilteragh estate in the Dooradoyle area of Limerick -- today before his funeral Mass in the city at St Joseph's Church tomorrow.
It is expected to be one of the largest funerals the city has ever witnessed.
The son of Tom and Mary, Shane grew up on a farm in Clounanna, Patrickswell, Co Limerick before his family moved to Gouldavoher in Dooradoyle.
His brother Anthony works as a quantity surveyor in Limerick city.
Their sister Katie died of leukaemia aged 12, while Shane's grandmother on his father's side was killed in a road accident in France while on holidays.
Shane attended Crescent College Comprehensive and played underage rugby with Shannon Rugby Club, before joining Garryowen where his uncles had all worn the light blue jersey.
He spent 18 months abroad, including time in Australia, before he returned home and worked as a fitter.
Affectionately known as 'Gagsy' to his teammates, he was in his second season as captain of the Dooradoyle club. Last year, he led the club's thirds team to success in the North Munster Gleeson League.
Dreadful
A true clubman, he often lined out twice in the same weekend for separate Garryowen sides and was talented enough to play in three or four different positions. Chairman of Garryowen Rugby Club Ger Clarke said all at the club were in "dreadful shock".
"He was a young fella making his way in life and playing rugby with Garryowen. He was a lovely human being and that primarily is what one needs to know about Shane Geoghegan.
"A mark of the man was when we won the Gleeson League last season, he invited the losing Thomond team into the team photographs after the game. That was Shane Geoghegan. I said to myself: 'With players like him, the club is in safe hands; he will make a great club president some day'," Mr Clarke said.
The Geoghegan family have a rich history with the famous Limerick rugby club. Shane's uncles John, Dave and Tony all lined out as forwards for Garryowen and Tony serves as current vice-president.
Secretary of Garryowen Eoghan Prendergast said there was a "numbing shock" within the club.
"We can't comprehend this, it is so sudden. The younger people looked up to him and as for the older people in the club, they can't talk. They can't finish a sentence when you talk to them," Mr Prendergast said.
Shane Geoghegan's funeral Mass takes place tomorrow in St Joseph's Church at 11am, followed by burial at Mungret cemetery.
- Barry Duggan
