All in soccer circles in Inishowen were left absolutely stunned by the sad news of the passing of Noel O’Reilly during the week.

Noel developed a close affinity with Inishowen and in particular Culdaff when he began coming up here many years ago and this affinity was cemented when he bought a house just outside Culdaff. Over the years Noel and his partner Rose and his extended family and friends made numerous visits to the peninsula and spent many happy times here.Noel’s meteoric rise from his beginnings at Belvedere under 12’s to being the top coach in the country was the stuff of  fairytales and dreams. But it was against a backdrop of hard work and an insatiable appetite for knowledge that this rise was achieved.Alot of us were lucky to have viewed the successes Noel enjoyed especially the under age successes enjoyed with Brian Kerr  before they advanced to the top job in Irish football. Unfortunately that did not pan out as they both desired but Noel on his appointment as RDO continued to make a huge impression on everyone he encountered. He had a vision for the restructuring of the coach education but unfortunately that remains incomplete.Many of us in Inishowen have been fortunate to have shared footballing worshops hosted by Noel or participated on FAI coaching courses conducted by Noel and his humour, intelligence, wit and good naturedness never ceased to amaze. Many more of our clubs have been lucky to have had Noel as a guest of honour on presentation nights or function nights all of which he carried out in his usually amiable style. Many of us also have had the pleasure of Noels company and he was exceptional company. He  liked a cigar and a few pints, he loved the guitar and a few songs and what an entertainer he was. More of us have been fortunate to have shared the Christmas experience in Noels house in Culdaff and this is where you just marvelled at the man.

A gentleman who never seemed to be in bad humour, who always showed an interest in local simple things, a man who partook yearly in the annual Christmas swim and raised substantial sponsorship each year for whatever the cause, a man who helped us out with tickets for many a game and a man who was most comfortable surrounded by family and friends.

He will be sorely missed in Culdaff and Inishowen by all his friends here but he will be especially missed by Rose and Roisin by Shay, Kieran, Monica and Deidre and their families, by all his relations and friends inside and outside the football world and by his colleagues in the FAI. But one thing everyone who knew Noel have in common and that is they were better off for having met and known Noel O’Reilly.

May he rest in Peace.