Joe Reynolds RIP; A tribute by Eoin Corcoran
26/07/2016
Eoin Corcoran penned this wonderful tribute to Joe Reynolds who
tragically passed away way too young last week, all at Longford RFC wish
Joes family and friends our deepest condolences.
Goodbye to Big Joe
L.O.N.G.F.O.R.D. SQUEEZE! Arm in arm, minutes before kick-off, the roar
of our Longford team could be heard from afar, but one voice echoed
above them all; the bellow of big Joe Reynolds. âGive us fifty good
ones, Joe. Your best fifty minutesâ. Nodding his head confidently, we
all knew that was exactly what we were going to get; one hundred
percent for as long as he could, doing all he could for his teammates
and his club. In ways, itâs a microcosm of his life, always doing his
very best by everyone but a life cut far too short.
A goliath of a
man, an unfailing trojan on the pitch, but a kind-hearted gentleman off
it. A central character of the team, he could only ever be seen smiling,
singing or laughing with that playful giggle that never seemed to match
his stature. He had a smile for everyone, and you could only have a
smile for him.
Joe was a big character in Longford Rugby Club and in
particular, in our Leinster League winning U17 team of 2014 where he
was nothing but a stalwart. If Joe was out, panic set in. He carried us
through many hard fought games from the second row and he truly was one
of key players that lead us to collecting the only silverware most of us
have ever won in the club, sealing the deal on the day with a heroic
try effort.
Not a quiet man, he loved to talk and joke, but never
had a bad word to say of anyone and never at anyoneâs expense. Many
enjoyable days were spent on those long bus journeys around the
province, with Joe occupying a back seat, always there to heighten the
craic after a win and lighten the mood after a loss. His laughter and
joking demeanour were infectious and his work ethic and dedication on
the pitch were inspiring. He was a lot of the heart and soul of the
team.
A terrific player and an even better person, Joe will be very
sorely missed by everyone in the club, particularly by those of us that
had the pleasure of playing alongside him. We have lost one of the best,
but we were all the better for having known him. Our deepest sympathies
are with Joeâs family and close friends, and it is with profound
sadness that we all say goodbye to big Joe Reynolds.
Eoin Corcoran
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