04/07/2022
The untimely passing of Eoin Farrell has left Maryland GAA numb and deeply saddened. Eoinie, as many people referred to him, made a massive contribution to Maryland GAA, both as a player between 1998 and 2016, and as a volunteer.
Eoinie had a distinguished underage career, winning 3 Cumann na mBunscoil titles with Ardnagrath NS (including one alongside future wife Eimear) and obtaining numerous underage successes with Maryland/Tang and Shannon Gaels. He was also part of the Marist College team who lost the Leinster Senior A football final in 1999 to Good Counsel New Ross.
He came to prominence at county level playing as a goalkeeper and was an integral part of the Westmeath Minor football team who were crowned Leinster champions in 2000. A memorable 2-9 to 1-10 win over Dublin in the final saw Eoinie make a key save and also embark on a solo run out the field, long before the trends of today's netminders were in vogue.
He subsequently played in goals for Westmeath U-21s and in Sigerson Cup campaigns with Athlone IT from 2001 to 2006.
Eoinie kept goal for Maryland in the 1999 Intermediate final when Ballynacarrigy won out after a second replay. He transitioned to playing outfield and was centre back in another Intermediate final replay loss to Bunbrosna in 2006.
Manning the number 6 jersey again in 2008, he was an important part of the team who finally won the Intermediate championship in 2008, defeating Ballynacarrigy by 1-11 to 1-10 after extra time in another replay. His form resulted in him being called into the Westmeath Senior football panel and he saw action in the 2009 O'Byrne Cup.
In a very successful era for the club, Eoinie was also part of successes in Celebrity Bainisteoir in 2008, the ACF League Division 2 and the All Ireland Intermediate 7's (both 2009). After emigrating between 2010 and 2013, Eoinie resumed playing for the club again between 2014 and 2016.
Post retirement from playing, Eoinie played an active role in the GAA. He was a selector with Westmeath Minor footballers in 2019 and 2020, and also acted as a mentor for Maryland/Tang.
He assumed the role of joint treasurer in Maryland/Tang at the end of 2018, and contributed massive work. This included providing jerseys and club gear to underage players, and setting up a club website. His last contribution was to offer all players training tops, club hats and a football each.
An all round GAA fanatic, Eoinie has left imprints in GAA clubs from his travels; Westmeath New York, John McBrides (Chicago) and Wellington (New Zealand) all benefitted from his playing prowess and voluntary efforts. He played football like he lived life, a massive sense of fun and enjoyment.
We express our condolences to his wife Eimear, and to the Farrell and Murphy families. Codladh Sámh Eoinie.
