GAA community mourns heartbreaking loss of towering 18-year-old footballer Oisín Gillain
Oisin Gillain (right) of Hamilton High School, Bandon celebrates a win over Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne in the TUS Corn Ui Mhuiri with his teammate Oisin McCarthy. Picture Dan Linehan
Such was Oisín Gillain’s devotion to GAA and the local Kilbrittain club that his family have asked, in lieu of flowers for their beloved son taken far too soon, that donations be made to the club for the purchase of new gym equipment.
Oisín, just 18 years young, passed away on Tuesday. Only the Tuesday before was the Kilbrittain teenager celebrating his latest GAA success, a second-half sub in Hamilton High School Bandon’s maiden Simcox Cup (Cork PPS SAFC) success.
Hammies’ 0-11 to 1-6 win over Skibbereen Community School brought the curtain down on a hugely positive season for the Bandon students. They were the last Cork school standing in the Corn Uí Mhuirí, falling to eventual champions Mercy Mounthawk in the semi-final. Oisín started midfield that afternoon and was among the Hamilton point scorers.
He was a permanent fixture at midfield throughout the school's run to the Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-final, among the scorers and leading performers in their quarter-final victory over Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne. Only for injury, he’d have reprised that starting midfield role in last week’s Simcox decider. But not even injury could keep him sidelined for the hour.
“Oisín was a much-loved Leaving Certificate student, friend, classmate and player at Hamilton High School,” began a school statement given to the Irish Examiner.
“Popular and well-liked by his peers, Oisín was exceptionally talented both inside and outside the classroom. An integral part of the Hamilton High School team that reached the Corn Uí Mhuirí semi-final this year and won the school's first ever Simcox Cup, Oisín was respected and admired by his teammates and all our younger students.
“His loss is deeply felt across our school community. The entire Hamilton High School community extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Oisín's family on their unimaginable loss. His parents, Christophe and Catherine and his sisters Sinéad and Fionnuala, along with his extended family, friends and teammates in Kilbrittain GAA remain in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”
The Kilbrittain club, with whom he won a Carbery Junior B hurling title last year when coming off the bench to hit four points from play in the final win over Ballinascarthy, also paid warm tribute.
“At over 6 ft 5, Oisín was an imposing figure despite his young age. He had exceptional talent, his dedication, passion and skill were evident. A likeable character, a gentleman on and off the pitch.
“He was already showing leadership qualities with the U21 teams, especially in football, in recent years. As a 16-year-old, he made midfield his own while helping Kilbrittain win the Carbery U21B football championship in 2023. He had looked out for younger players coming through from underage to minor with encouragement and advice.
“His loss to the club, while huge, is small in comparison to the immeasurable loss to his family. The club extends our deepest sympathies and condolences to his teammates, friends and especially his parents Christophe and Catherine, sisters Sinéad and Fionnuala, and the wider Gillain family.”
His family, on Oisín's death notice, thanked everyone who coached, played with and taught Oisín over the years.
“In lieu of flowers, we would welcome donations to Oisín’s beloved Kilbrittain GAA club for the purchase of a new piece of equipment for the local GAA gym.”
Oisín will repose at his home in Barleyfield, Kilbrittain on Friday, March 21, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. His funeral mass takes place at Saint Patrick’s Church, Kilbrittain on Saturday, March 22 at 12 noon, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.
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