'A fantastic kid’: Funeral of popular GAA coach, 20, hears how sport gave him the 'greatest joy'
The funeral of hugely popular GAA coach, Jack Boddy, heard how he was a ‘fantastic kid’ and how sport gave him the 'greatest joy'.Jack, 20, who worked as a Strength & Conditioning coach with the Clare Under 20 footballers, died tragically over St Patrick's weekend.He was originally from Limerick and was reported missing from Lahinch during the early hours of Sunday morning, March 15.Gardai said Jack was last seen at around 12.45am in the coastal town wearing a navy polo t-shirt and grey combat style pants.The search was stood down on Tuesday, March 17 following the discovery of a body in Lahinch.Following the devastating news, Jack’s hometown of Bruff in Limerick cancelled their St Patrick’s Day parade as a mark of respect for the young man.Jack had been involved with Clare football teams for the past two seasons and was a member of Peter Keane’s backroom team with the seniors in 2025 working under Strength and Conditioning coach Shane O’Rourke.He was working as the main S&C coach for the Dermot Coughlan managed U20s this season, and the Limerick native helped to guide Clare to an opening round win over Tipperary last Saturday.Chief mourners at his Requiem Mass on Sunday, March 22 in the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Senan's Kilkee included his heartbroken parents Mossie and Sarah, brother Tadgh, grandparents Sean and Deirdre Moore and Maurice and Marian Boddy, his aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, colleagues in sport and many friends.GAA jerseys lined the altar while a framed photo of Jack was placed on his coffin. A large floral No 12 was also placed on the altar representing the symbol of the Boddy family and their dreams.Symbols of Jack’s life brought to the altar included his beloved hurl, his TUS college jersey, Jack’s whistle and a floral arrangement of No 12 - symbolising his dad Mossie’s Limerick No 12 jersey. Mourners heard that the No 12 represented the symbol of the Boddy family and everything it took to achieve their dreams.In an emotional tribute to his son, heartbroken Mossie told mourners: “Sport can be the greatest thing in the world. It can give us the greatest joy and it absolutely did that for Jack.He said Jack was at his happiest being the strength and conditioning coach. “He felt ready, he felt excited, he felt committed.“And this is the power of communities, this is the power of the GAA, having good people around you, good coaches, people that want to develop kids, look after kids. He said it was his happiest to date. He felt important.“Jack said he had a sense of belonging. Be under no illusions he was the happiest kid in the world. He felt involved, he felt important, he felt wanted.“Jack, I will never forget you. I will offer the best of myself every single day to do you proud. You were a fantastic kid. Thanks everybody for being there for us.”Mossie paid tribute and thanked the Coast Guard in Doolin, the Search and Rescue, the Civil Defence, An Garda Siochana “for their amazing effort and every single person from all over the country who took part in the search to help look for Jack.”“To every business, to every family in the community of Lahinch and surrounding areas, you have no idea what you have done for us in those horrific days,” said Mossie.Fr Gerry Kenny, parish priest of Kilkee, told Jack’s heartbroken family: “To lose someone so young just setting out on his dream is a very painful loss you are asked to carry. It shatters and goes against the grain of what each of us expect in life.Sign up to our new Crime Ireland newsletter and get exclusive content from Michael O'Toole and Paul HealyThe Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week“It reminds us how fragile each of us are, despite any outward show of strength we may portray.”Addressing Jack’s young companions, Fr Kenny encouraged them to “talk this through with a trusted adult friend.”“To lose a friend, a guide, someone you looked up to is very difficult.“I was in my 50s when my first childhood friend died. I can still remember the deep shock and hurt I experienced when I heard that news.“I want to encourage you to talk this through with a trusted adult friend. Asking for help is never a sign of weakness.”“Jack left such an imprint on you that shows the qualities he carried with him. Dedication, love and support of his family, these are the fruits of God’s spirits,” said Fr Kenny.Following Requiem Mass, cremation took place during a service at Shannon Crematorium.Want to see more of the stories you love from the Irish Mirror? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Irish Mirror as a preferred source, simply click here.
