'No words' - Tributes paid after untimely death of GAA star as club issues statement

Tributes are being paid this week to the family and friends of young intercounty GAA star Éanna Rouine who has died.

Ennistymon’s Éanna Rouine, who represented the Clare footballers at Minor and U20 level, died on Tuesday morning. He had been described as "an accomplished sportsman" but "much more than that, he was intelligent, witty, a strong academic performer, a talented musician, a loyal friend & a loving son, grandson & brother."

That's according to his club, Ennistymon GAA, who issued an emotional statement paying tribute to their "fallen teammate."

In a statement, the club said: "All in Ennistymon GAA are shocked and saddened at the untimely passing of our great teammate and friend Éanna. A truly talented & accomplished sportsman, but much more than that, he was intelligent, witty, a strong academic performer, a talented musician, a loyal friend & a loving son, grandson and brother.

"His on field successes are too numerous to list. His passing will leave a void in the club that we will all struggle to deal with together in the days, months and years ahead.

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"To his parents Cáitriona and John, his brothers Eoin and Dara, his sister Brid Áine, his grandmother Bridget, his Uncles, Aunts, Cousins and all the Rouine and O'Gorman families, we offer our sincere heartfelt condolences, in the knowledge that no words can truly console you at this terrible time. Ar Dheis de go raibh a anam."

Clare GAA also issued a heartfelt statement paying tributes to Éanna. They wrote: "The Clare GAA community is deeply shocked and profoundly saddened by the untimely passing of Ennistymon’s Éanna Rouine on Tuesday morning.

"Éanna was an extremely talented and promising young footballer with both club and county. He represented Clare at Minor level in 2021, was part of the Clare U20 panel from 2022 to 2024 and was a star of the Ennistymon CBS football team when the school landed the famous achievement of a provincial double in 2023.

"Éanna was a second year student at UL and had already won an All Ireland Freshers Football title with the college. While important achievements are now so important to cherish, these of course are only measures of him as an athlete and a player.

"Above anything else Éanna was a popular and beloved young man with his whole life ahead of him. His loss has left a void that words cannot fill, and his absence will be felt not only on the field but in the hearts of all who knew him in his community and circle of friends in North Clare.

"At this heartbreaking time, Clare GAA extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to his clubmates, his many friends, and above all, to his devastated and heartbroken family - parents Catríona and John and his siblings, Eoin, Dara and Bríd-Aine and the extended Rouine and O’Gorman families.

"We stand in solidarity with them in their grief, and we honour the memory of a young life taken far too soon. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."

Funeral arrangements have not yet been released.