Jonathan Clancy in action for O’Cuirry’s. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CARRIGAHOLT, Cross, Doonaha, Kilkee and Querrin has been shook to the core following the sudden and untimely death of teenager, Jonathan Clancy.
Eighteen year old Jonathan was set to celebrate his nineteenth birthday next week. On the approach roads to Carrigaholt, the O’Curry’s flags were visible at several locations while the number four jersey he wore with great pride was draped over his coffin alongside the club flag as the hearse made its way to St Mary’s Church on Thursday morning for his funeral mass.
Crowds lined the R458 in Carrigaholt where hundreds of mourners of all ages were in attendance, they included his teammates, friends and personnel who wished to show support for his grieving and heartbroken family.
On the field of play, Jonathan was an honest, selfless member of the O’Curry’s intermediate team, traits he also brought to the table when he represented the amalgamation of Western Gaels and with Kilkee/Bealaha on the hurling field. O’Curry’s are not blessed when it comes to dozens of players available, they have a tight pool but the spirit and character that they show is hard to match, it’s why Jonathan slotted seamlessly into the side and was a perfect fit, typifying the hard-working nature and heart that they bring to the fold.
This year was his first as a regular on Dinny McMahon O’Curry’s intermediate side who preserved their Garry Cup status when shocking Corofin at the beginning of June and went on to reach the Clare IFC quarter-finals, their season ending just a fortnight ago. Indeed, he and his brother Paddy were the corner backs for the club this year with the duo impressing in many outings.
Gifts brought to the alter included a footballer of the year award that Jonathan received for his displays with O’Curry’s second team last season. Speaking from the altar, Denis Foran noted, “he was a talented player who gave his all when representing O’Curry’s and Western Gaels, he was always lifting the spirits of his teammates, giving his all and his dedication shone through even when he began the new challenge of starting hurling with Kilkee/Bealaha”.
Work pants belonging to Jonathan symbolised his “hard working nature and boundless energy”. Denis recalled, “from a young age he was always able to take on challenges no matter how big or small, he showed incredible promise and willingness to learn his trade as a plumber”.
A pair of brown boots reminded the congregation that he “had a deep love for life’s simple pleasures and nothing symbolised that more than when he was socialising with friends. Jonathan’s presence brought warmth and joy to any gathering,” Denis outlined. His “special bond with animals especially” horses and his love of “spending time between the wheel of the tractor during the summer months” were also acknowledged through the gifts brought forward.
Two photographs were put before the altar, one with his family and one with his friends to “reflect the deep bonds he shares”. Denis added, “loyalty and kindness was evident in all he did, he was a true friend who brought joy, laughter and support to all around him”.
Addressing the congregation, Fr Gerry Kenny noted that it was “a very sad day”. He said, “today as we gather to commend John to his creator, we journey conscious that Jesus understood the pain of human fragility”. He continued, “we already knew Jonathan’s fronds, neighbours, family have been contributing so much in recent days through compassion, prayer and support to ensure that for all of you who mourn that Jonathan’s passing leaves a chink of god light to sustain his family”.
Fr Kenny said, “Jonathan’s friends and school companions and social circle, this is a very difficult time for you, you too are grieving. Those of us who are older don’t have ready answers, it is going against the grain when one so young and vibrant dies. October 10th is world mental health awareness day, it is a reminder to us all that we need to foster good mental health for ourselves and others. Jonathan’s death by suicide is a painful and stark reminder that we never know the pain and fragility that people are carrying inside, it is a reminder to be gentle to each other, to engage carefully with social media comments and how we engage with each other”.
Talking is key to addressing problems, Fr Kenny stressed, “engage with the questions that Jonathan’s death poses to you, please talk to each other, take time, find somebody you can be quiet with and journey gently with the sadness you are carrying, don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and sadness with someone you can trust, the temptation to seek refuge with alcohol and drugs to dampen the pain you may be seeking is not the way, talking it through with someone you trust and who is compassionate is a step to take”. He continued, “there is a challenge here at this time to engage and reassure that there is a safe place in your hearts and thoughts”.
Assistance is also available through the HSE, Samaritans and Clare Suicide Bereavement Support, Fr Kenny said, “asking for help is never a sign of weakness. This tragic death is an invitation to come to terms with our human fragility, we need to be caring and sensitive with one another”.
In the prayers read, Jonathan’s ability to value all colleagues in the workplace and how he touched the lives of everyone he met were remembered.
Paddy Clancy, Jonathan’s brother said, “Jonathan was a big brother, a little brother, a son and a friend”. He recalled, “at the age of fourteen he found his real love in life, driving a tractor” and praised his brother for being “a brilliant driver”. Paddy said, “in school excelled at making friends, getting in and out of trouble without Josephine finding out. Due to a lack of interest in geography at school, he instead found interest in travelling the country with John but he never came back empty handed”.
After winning the “prestigious award as Junior B player of the year, he knuckled down and became an extremely solid corner back” for the club’s intermediate team, Paddy pointed out. “He never took the results too seriously, as long as there was a good session with the lads afterwards”. He concluded, “he was a softie at heart, he would do anything for people, we love and miss him”.
Serena, Jonathan’s sister read Ellen Brenneman’s poem, ‘Gone, But Not Forgotten’ as part of the communion reflection.
John Foran, a foster father to Jonathan told the funeral mass, “every life is like a book, Jonathan’s is a short story. The first chapter was written before he came to us, the second was when he came to Kilrush”, where John recalled his first time seeing Jonathan “he was below on the floor looking up at me, peaking up from below his fringe, if you could put words on that look it was that this guy could break me”. He continued, “after I got to know him better, more mannerly kids you could not hope to have, they were polite and everything, after everything on farm vocabulary changed a little like when you’re directing cattle and they don’t go the right way, I take responsibility for that”.
During his school days at Kilrush Community School “it became apparent that he would not be a rocket scientist, there was no point trying to force him to do the books in his room because it wouldn’t happen. He was a great help on the farm and a great friend to have,” John said. “We travelled the country and had great fun,” he stated.
Jonathan completing the Leaving Certificate was an achievement they were all proud of. John then remarked that there was a sense of shock when he raised the notion of further education, “I nearly fell on the floor when he said he’d go to college, this is a young fella we struggled to get to school”. He ventured to Pallaskenry to the agricultural college and took until he seventh week to attend the Friday morning lecture after enjoying his Thursday nights with friends, personnel in the college were surprised with the new addition to the Friday lecture and had to ask who Jonathan was, “to make a long story short he had to leave Pallaskenry,” quipped John.
Following this, he began pursuing a trade, with the help of John’s nephew Michael he started plumbing and John expressed his gratitude to everything Michael did, “it was going very well”. He continued, “the future was extremely bright and we just don’t know what happened”.
“What we found on Sunday morning is something that could sink you buy I’ve never made a grater bunch of lads than those that called to the house, I think the future is bright for the country with people like them,” John said to rapturous applause. He thanked everyone for the support they have shown over the past week, “to younger people, please talk to each other, if there is any trouble talk about it”.
For support, please contact Clare Suicide Bereavement Support on 086 056 5373 or 087 369 8315 or Samaritans, email jo@samaritans.ie or call on 116 123.
Jonathan is survived by his mother Lisa Taylor, father Patrick Clancy, brothers Patrick and Damien, sisters Serena and Annalise, The Foran Family in Querrin John & Josephine, Denis, Marie John & Oisín, Brid & Michael, Patricia & Cillian, and Daniel, grandparents William & Mary Taylor, uncles, cousins, extended family, neighbours and his many friends.
