There is deep sadness and shock in Camross today following the news of the sudden passing of club chairman Phil Duggan.
Phil, originally from Rosslare in Wexford, only became club chairman this year but was heavily involved with the club for a number of years and previously served on the Laois GAA County Board.
He was well-known in business circles having run his own catering company and previously owned the Pantry restayrant in Market Square in Portlaoise.
Mr Duggan had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer and a mass on the brain in February of 2017.
However, the Wexford native refused to let that keep him down. Phil had a real uplifting nature about him.
Speaking about his diagnosis in an interview with LaoisToday last year, Phil was determined not to allow his illness to take over his life.
He said: “I said I can sit here and feel sorry for myself, waiting for something to happen or I can get out and do something. I decided ‘To hell, I’m just going to live my life’.
“I’ve never considered my cancer to be something to interfere with life. Like if someone has a broken finger, they have a broken finger. I just happen to have cancer.”
Phil was manager of the Camross intermediate team that lost last year’s county final to neighbours Slieve Bloom last year and was appointed as the club chairman at their most recent AGM last winter.
Upbeat, friendly and pleasant, Phil rarely missed a Camross game and was also very visible around O’Moore Park on big match days.
Phil was the loved and adored husband of Margaret, loving father of Orlagh, Darragh, his partner Shaunagh, Bill and Ronan, grandfather of his darling Pippa, Sean, Emma, Elizabeth, Dia, and Chlöe, sadly missed by his sister Geraldine, extended family, and a large circle of friends in Laois and Wexford.
Phil is reposing at his home this Wednesday and Thursday evening from 5 o’clock to 9 o’clock, with Rosary each evening at 9 o’clock.
Removal on Friday morning to St. Fergal’s Church, Camross, arriving for Requiem Mass at 11 o’clock, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Family flowers only please, donations, if desired, to The Cuisle Centre, Portlaoise.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
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