FORMER Irish rugby international and Garryowen FC stalwart Neville Furlong has died following illness in Limerick this Tuesday.
Sadness has surrounded the news of the death of the 49-year-old popular player, coach and former Garryowen FC underage chairman who represented his club and country to the greatest honour and scored in a test match against the New Zealand All Blacks on the 1992 Irish tour to the Southern Hemisphere rugby nation.
Neville crossed the whitewash in the Wellington defeat and marked the scoreboard as the last Irish player to score a try valued at four points.
Neville’s sporting career began in the earliest of years through schools and underage competitive team sports before landing a selection amongst the Wexford minor and his native county u21 football panels.
While attending UCG, Neville’s rugby career took hold and he played with the Irish Universities before signing with the Connacht senior squad.
Neville’s speed and agility on the wing caught the eyes of Irish selectors and the Garryowen club man was elevated to the Irish “A” team and then on to the full international side.
In 1995, Neville helped Garryowen to claim AIL league glory.
It is with deep regret that we learn of the death of Neville Furlong, former player for GFC and @IrishRugby and friend to many. RIP
— Garryowen FC (@GarryowenFC) September 26, 2017
During 2005 and 2006, Neville lent his coaching experience to Patrickswell GAA by guiding them to consecutive county semi final and final.
Since ending his playing career, Neville worked tirelessly with the underage set up at Garryowen FC where he led the club as Chairman of the Underage Rugby before he sadly passed away at Milford Hospice this week
Neville, beloved son of the late Ronan and brother of late Rhonda, is survived by his wife Trish, sons Odran and Kyle, mother Collette, brothers Damien, Ronan and Kenan, sister Leah and extended family and friends.
The popular sportsman takes his final resting place this Thursday at St Joseph’s Cemetery, Castleconnell.
Neville’s passing has drawn sympathies from the widest parts.
Ar dheis De go raibh an anam.
