Community rocked by passing of promising GAA star and well liked student
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Community rocked by passing of promising GAA star and well liked student

A LITTLE neighborhood community in Laois is said to be grief stricken after the sudden passing of a well known youthful man. Conor Montague from Limetree in Portarlington, Co Laois passed away suddenly on Wednesday.

St Paul's GAA in Emo described the former player as an "accomplished" footballer whose family are important members of the club.

"The club and community are in shock and are deeply saddened by the news. Conor played his juvenile football with St Paul’s and was an accomplished wing-back. His father Sean was a coach for a number of years with St Paul’s and was also club doctor for our parent club, Emo GAA, and County doctor for Laois for several years.

Conor, like his father, played underage football with the team. His father, a local doctor, provided his coaching and medical expertise to the club.

Paying tribute online, St Paul's said: "It's with a heavy heart that we learned the sad news earlier this week of the passing of ex-player and member, Conor Montague.

His mother Mary is additionally heavily involved in our parent club Emo GAA and has been one among the foremost important and influential members of the fundraising committee for the last number of years that the club has ever had..

 His brother Eoin also played his juvenile football with St Pauls and is now one of the new emerging talented players playing with Emo GAA.

"We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Conor's family Sean, Mary, Eoin, his grandparents and extended family, and to his friends and ex-teammates.

"We as a GAA community and the wider community of Emo are unified in our grief and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."

The senior game between Emo and Graiguecullen on Saturday out of respect for Conor's family and friends has been postponed by Laois GAA.  

Tributes for the young man have come in droves for the young man with Emo GAA club describing him as "a larger than life character" whose death will leave "a huge void in the lives of everyone who knew him"

Conor Image: Emo GAA/Facebook Image: Emo GAA/Facebook

The club said:

"Everyone at Emo GAA club would like to offer our deepest condolences to Mary, Sean and Eoin Montague on the sad passing of Conor.

Conor was a regular with St Paul's from the under 10 teams right up to under 21 level and even played senior and junior with Emo. The wing-back always gave everything to his club.

"He always showed great tenacity and courage when he wore the jersey. Conor's friends will always remember him as a hugely popular, larger than life character.

A 2 year engineering degree in UCD with a third year yet to be taken was awaiting the promising sports star. His internship in France during the summer was also on the agenda.

"Conor's passing will leave a huge void in the lives of everyone who knew him and he will always be remembered. A dheis Dé go raibh a Anam."

Conor's parents are believed to be devastated over the young man's death.

A post on RIP.ie reads: "Unexpectedly. Sadly missed by his heartbroken parents Sean and Mary, adoring brother Eoin, grandparents Sean and Annetta Conway, Paddy and Patricia Montague, great-grandmother Mary, godparents, aunts, uncles, relatives and a large circle of friends."

The funeral details will be released soon