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Tributes paid and ‘town in mourning’ as talented Laois teenager is laid to rest

Eoin Coss RIP (2)

Sympathies have been paid in the chamber of Laois County Council as a Mountmellick teenager was laid to rest this morning.

14-year-old Eoin Coss passed away peacefully on Saturday morning and was laid to rest in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Mountmellick today.

Eoin, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, was a very talented sports person who played both football and soccer for Mountmellick.

He was also a member of the Midlands Schoolboys League U-14 team who took part in the prestigious Kennedy Cup competition during the summer.

A short time after his funeral mass, members of Laois County Council passed on their sympathies to the family of the late Eoin.

Councillor Caroline Dwane-Stanley said: “I know Eoin’s mother Martina for years as the two of us did hairdressing together.

“She is one of my best friends and Eoin’s loss is devastating for her, Kevin (dad) and Eoin’s brothers Rian and Darragh.

“It is devastating for the Coss and Dunne families.

“The death of a child is extremely hard to understand and the whole community is in mourning in Mountmellick.”

Cllr John Joe Fennelly said: “Eoin’s grandfather Eddie calls into me in the shop once a a week for a chat.

“They are a lovely family and what has happened is just so sad. Our thoughts are with them all.”

Cllr Paddy Bracken, who is from Mountmellick, described Eoin’s loss as a ‘huge blow’.

Cllr Bracken said: “The passing of Eoin is a huge blow to his family and to the wider community.

“His friends and teammates are all devastated by his loss and my thoughts are with them all.”

At the weekend, Mountmellick United led the tributes to Eoin who played for them from the age of seven.

Mountmellick GAA, who Eoin also played hurling and football for, joined the tributes.

They said: “We are devestated at the passing of Eoin Coss. He left this world at the age of only 14, surrounded by his family after an illness so bravely borne up to the end- one of his strongest traits was never giving up, no matter what he was faced with.

“We were lucky enough to have Eoin play football with us since he was just 5. He almost always played a grade above his age group and never looked out of place. He played in Croke Park with our u10 team while he was only u8 himself.

“He was instrumental in our u13 2020 football championship victory. He gave a man of the match performance in the semifinal against Graiguecullen- we looked beaten at half time but true to form he didn’t give up and scored two goals from mid field while under pressure.

“He went on to score a hat trick in the final securing our first juvenile championship in a number of years. He was also a very talented hurler and played with us up to u13.

“He was tough as nails and would often leave a football or hurling game or blitz and go straight on to give the same skill, strength and determination to a soccer game- he shared his dedication to us with our friends at Mountmellick UFC.

“His love for sport was also reflected in his support of Laois, Liverpool and Shamrock Rovers.

“Eoin was a true team player- humble in victory and gracious in defeat. He was a son, a brother, a friend, a teammate and an all around incredible person who inspired so many.

“No words that we have will be able to express how much he will be missed. We can only hope that his family and friends may find strength in the love they shared and be sustained by their many happy memories in the dreadfully sad days ahead.

“Rest easy Eoin- and thank you.”

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