Shock and sadness at death of GAA star as family make heartbreaking funeral request

Tributes are being paid in Offaly this week after the unexpected death of Shinrone GAA hurler Joe Cleary.

The club led tributes as they announced Joe's death. They wrote: "On Wednesday morning our club and community were devastated at the unexpected passing of our club man and team mate Joe Cleary - affectionately known as Joe Liffey. We keep the Cleary and Love Family in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."

His RIP.ie death notice says Joe, known affectionately as Joe Liffey on account of his job at Liffey Mills, "unexpectedly passed away on February 5, 2025."

It adds that he will be "sadly missed by his loving partner Elaine and daughter Hannah also by his parents Joe and Bridget, brother Diarmuid, sister Shauna, Elaine's parents Brian and Lorraine, grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and wide circle of friends."

His family have requested that people attending Joe's funeral on Friday "wear casual clothes to reflect Joe's young life."

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Tributes have also been paid from family and friends in Shinrone and beyond. One person wrote: "Heartfelt condolence for a lovely fella. To Joe, Bridget, Diarmuid, Shauna, Elaine and his beautiful daughter Hannah, Joe was a such a character with a fab smile loved by all he knew. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Praying for all his family and friends."

Another said: "Our deepest sympathy to Joe, Bridget and Joe's brother and sister and to his partner Elaine and Hannah, his daughter. A lovely young man who will be missed dearly by all the community may he rest easy."

Funeral Arrangements:

Reposing on Friday at his parents residence Gurtgreen, Shinrone (R42 YA26) from 5 o'clock until 8 o'clock. Private removal on Saturday to St.Mary's Church, Shinrone (R42 WT26) for Funeral mass at 12 o'clock followed by burial afterwards in Kilcommon Cemetery, Shinrone. Family flowers only please donations, if desired, in lieu of flowers to Pieta House. The family has requested that people wear casual clothes to reflect Joe's young life.