"Forever young" - Funeral details announced after untimely passing of Clare footballer

The funeral details have been announced for Éanna Rouine, the 20-year-old footballer from Co Clare who tragically passed away yesterday, Tuesday, May 27.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Éanna Rouine, aged 20, who left this world far too soon on May 27th 2025 in St. James's Hospital Dublin, surrounded by his loving family and friends," a notice posted on RIP.ie today says.

"Éanna was a bright, kind hearted and spirited young man whose presence brought joy to all who knew him.

"A son, a brother, a grandson, a cousin, a nephew and a friend, he touched lives with his laughter, kindness and his beautiful smiling face.

"Codladh sámh i leaba Dé d'Éanna."

Éanna is survived by his parents John and Caitríona, brothers Eoin and Dara, sister Bríd-Áine, Granny Bridget, uncles, aunts, cousins, and countless friends "who will cherish his memory and carry his light in their hearts."

Éanna will repose from 3 to 6 pm this Saturday, May 31, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Lahinch, Co Clare V95 FT93.

A requiem Mass to celebrate Éanna's life will take place at 1 pm on Sunday, June 1. It will be streamed live on the Ennistymon Parish Clare page on Facebook.

Burial will follow in Kilmacreehy Cemetery.

Donations, if desired, can be made to St. James's Hospital, Dublin.

"Forever young, forever remembered," the RIP.ie notice says.

According to the Clare Echo, word emerged on Sunday morning that Éanna was fighting for his life after attending a concert in Dublin. Some 160 people attended a prayer service for his recovery the following evening in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Lahinch, with hundreds more tuning in online.

The Clare Echo noted that not only was Éanna a talented footballer, he was "an excellent musician on the concertina and lively on his feet as a dancer."

Leading the widespread tributes to the 20-year-old on Tuesday was Ennistymon GAA, which was "shocked and saddened" by the "untimely passing of our great teammate and friend."

Éanna was "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 & brother," the club said, adding that his "on-field successes are too numerous to list."

The club added: "His passing will leave a void in the club that we will all struggle to deal with together in the days, months & years ahead."

The University of Limerick GAA Club also paid tribute, noting that Éanna represented the club at Sigerson 1 and 2 levels, and was part of last year’s historic Fresher 1 League Victory.

All at UL GAA club are deeply saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Éanna Rouine. Éanna represented the club at Sigerson 1&2 level and was part of last year’s historic Fresher 1 League Victory.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ETKcRuVeBP

— UL GAA Club (@ul_gaa) May 27, 2025

In a statement on social media on Tuesday evening, Clare GAA said: "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 [University of Limerick] and had already won an All-Ireland Freshers Football title with the college.

"While important achievements and 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."

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… pic.twitter.com/sUgTUlLmYX

— Clare Gaa (@GaaClare) May 27, 2025