It is with great sadness that we report the passing of promising underage hurler Eoin Fagan (son of former Pollard Star Eugene), who died on Saturday 12th April in Crumlin Hospital, after a brief illness.

The community and surrounding area were left numb and in shock following his sudden death at such a young age. It shook the GAA community in North Westmeath and further afield, and cut deeply in his home town of Castlepollard.
Eoin was a very prominent sports player, with a bright future, adept at all his many sporting interests, Castlepollard/Westmeath (hurling), Ballycomoyle (football) and Castlepollard Celtic (soccer). Eoin was also a member of the Westmeath Hurling Development Squad and his brother Ciaran is a member of the Westmeath Minor Hurling Team.

Eoin would have been 15 years old in June and was a student at Castlepollard Community College, due to sit his Junior Cert this summer.

He was very popular, cheerful and mannerly both on and off the field. A kind and genuine young man who showed great heart and determination on the field of play. Indeed our clubs hurley mender remarked how he would drop him in a box of sweets or biscuits at Christmas in appreciation for all the hurley repairs throughout the year. Castlepollard Hurling Club has retired the No. 15 Jersey at U14 level in his honor. Sadly this was the jersey he was wearing on his last outing for 'Pollard.

His remains were brought back to Castlepollard on Sunday evening, amid heartbreaking scenes, where huge numbers, young and old from the surrounding community gathered to form a guard of honour at Castlepollard Hurling Club. From there Eoin returned to the family home in Trumroe where hundreds of mourners paid their respects to the Fagan & Gallagher families.

Eoin's funeral took place on Wednesday 16th April in St. Michaels Church, Castlepollard at 12 noon with burial afterwards to adjoining cemetery. The town of Castlepollard was brought to a standstill , with St. Michael's Church and grounds packed with the huge crowds who travelled to pay their last respects. Members of the Westmeath U14, Minor Teams and Mentors formed part of the large guard of honour consisiting of club members, young and old, of Castlepollard Hurling Club, St. Michael's National School & Community College pupils, Ballycomoyle Football Club, Castlepollard Celtic Soccer Club & Castlepollard Camogie Club.

His months mind took place on Friday evening last, 16th May and again St. Michael's Church was overflowing with the huge crowds who travelled to pay their respects. Eoin has left behind him a well of grief for his friends, family and neighbours.

To his heartbroken parents Maggie and Eugene, brothers Ciaran, Charles and Shane, Grandmother Anne, Uncles, Aunts and all his many relatives and friends the Hurling Club offers its deepest sympathy. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam deis. Tweet

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