The late Seamus Miley GAA circles throughout the whole of County Wicklow have been left stunned by the tragic death of well-known Seamus Miley of Dunlavin. The 31-year-old lost his life in an industrial accident at the site of a private residence beside Ballymore Eustance. Hughley popular in Dunlavin and throughout the county, Seamus had in his youth been considered one of the most promising footballers produced in Wicklow in years. He played all grades of football for Dunlavin GAA from Under-12 to senior, winning a host of trophies at all levels in the process, including the Minor Football Championship in 1993. Dunlavin GAA Chairman, Tony Allen, led the tributes to Seamus. 'He was a great footballer. The Miley family has a great tradition in football, Seamus played with us from the age of 11 right up to 1998 when he broke his leg in the league final, which we won. The whole thing was horrific and people are just numb' he said. The first trophy Seamus landed with Dunlavin was the Under-12 Championship in 1987, and he went on to represent them in the All-Ireland Feile na nOg competition in Ballinalsoe the following year. He was a member of the Wicklow Minor team that lost the 1993 Leinster Final to Meath, and many still recall his wonderful performance at centre half-back at Croke Park when he faced no less an opponent than Trevor Giles. He represented Wicklow from Under-16 to senior level. In 1997 he played a major role in helping Dunlavin reach the Senior county final, narrowly missing our on landing the club only their third Senior championship victory as Rathnew eventually overcame them 1-10 to 0-9. He was an integral part of a very talented Wicklow Under-21 side for three years but was forced into early retirement after breaking his leg playing for Dunalvin in a league final against Kiltegan in 1998. Seamus actually met his wife Ann through his love of football when she was the physio for the county team around the same time he was playing. Over the weekend Dunlavin was crowded with thousands of well wishers keen to pass on their final farewells to the deceased. He was removed to Dunlavin Church. For both days members of Dunlavin GAA club, St Nicholas Juvenile Club and the County Board provided a fitting tribute in the form of a guard of honour, the largest ever seen in Dunlavin. Seamus worked for his uncle, Joe Miley, who owns a successful construction firm, Joe Miley and Partners. Born and bred in Dunlavin, he was educated at St Kevin's Community College. He lived in Cryhelp with his wife Ann and three young sons, Alan, Matt and Toby. He is also survived by his parents Breda and Toby, brothers Anthony, Michael, Robert and Kevin, sisters Joan and Jenny, his grandmother Mrs Boylan, parents in law Noel and Sadie Doyle and many relatives and friends. He is predeceased by his brother Patrick. Courtesy of the Wicklow People 31 May 2007 Tweet

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