Former Clare footballer Michael O'Shea has passed away at the age of 37 after a battle with cancer.
O'Shea played with Clare from 1999 to 2014, and lined out in the 2012 Munster final. After he finished playing, O'Shea moved into coaching and took the reins of the Clare Under-21 side and club side Kilmihil.
Kilmihil paid tribute to O'Shea following his passing.
On behalf of everybody involved with the Kilmihil GAA Club, We would like to express our sincere sympathies to the family, friends and St. Senan's Kilkee GAA of Michael O’Shea, our former Coach and friend. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/P3nRMk7r0x
— Kilmihil Gaa (@KilmihilGaa) August 21, 2018
We are all proud to have had the opportunity to have Michael coach Kilmihil and help bring our club back to senior grade last year and very privileged to have known him as a person. 2/3
— Kilmihil Gaa (@KilmihilGaa) August 21, 2018
He was a fantastic player for his Club St.Senan’s Kilkee and wore the Clare Jersey with distinction for many years.. He was a wonderful character, full of life, humour and great courage.
He will be sorely missed but forever remembered 3/3— Kilmihil Gaa (@KilmihilGaa) August 21, 2018
His local club, St Senan's of Kilkee, posted a lengthy tribute to O'Shea's memory on their Facebook page.
Our hearts are absolutely aching today with the pain of the loss of our brother Michael O'Shea - arguably the greatest footballer ever to wear the blue & white jersey of St. Senan's Kilkee. Michael passed away yesterday in the loving arms of his family following the bravest fought battle with cancer.
His determination to beat the illness should not have surprised any of us who ever witnessed his determination on a football field. He fought a long tough battle with courage, strength and dignity - all the attributes that were earned in hard county and club training sessions and battles on the football field over almost three decades.
Michael is known the length and breadth of the country for his footballing ability, but he was much more than just a great footballer. He was a great friend, family man, work colleague and a true blue. Anyone that knew Michael holds him in the highest regard, and that is a testament to his character and personality.
His untimely passing will undoubtedly leave a large void in all of our lives, but Michael has left a legacy that will live forever.
Whether your memory is his shouts of encouragement to fellow players, his lung-busting runs down the field to score some of the best points ever seen, his celebrations when Kilkee or Clare took the lead, or simply that cheeky smile that might greet you across the street, those memories will live with us all for eternity.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Michael's beloved wife Orlaith, his adored daughter Éirinn, his parents Joe & Elizabeth, brother John & his wife Edel, sister Oonagh & her husband Oisin, his nieces, uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family and the Fitzgerald family.
Our club will stand with you in your time of grief and Michael's memory will live forever in our club ?
Ar dheis de go raibh a anam.
