Camp United and Annascaul loses of its most gifted dual player Bawnie O’Driscoll -RIP

Camp United and Annascaul  loses of its most gifted dual player

                  By Murt Murphy

Kerry sport has just lost one of its leading lights, one of its most skilful left sided players with the tragic news that Brendan O’Driscoll (28) of Annascaul Camp United and ex Lisselton Rovers has lost his battle for life after collapsing, while playing football with his club Annascaul on Sunday in the West Kerry Championship.

O’Driscoll who received one Irish Junior International cap three seasons ago from Gerry Smyth, was treated on the pitch and rushed by ambulance to Kerry General Hospital, and later on Sunday night was moved to Cork University Hospital with a reported brain haemorrhage and with O’Driscoll in a critical condition, an operation was not possible, and his life support machine was switched off on Wednesday afternoon with his extended family present.

The whole of West Kerry are in shock at the death of this vibrant and gifted footballer and soccer player had been in excellent form of late, playing with West Kerry in SFC semi final last Saturday week against Dr Crokes, and scoring a point, playing alongside Tomas and Marc O’Se as they just failed to reach next Sundays final by a point.

Then on Sunday before tragedy struck, O’Driscoll had scored 1-1 of his sides 1-4. He is nephew of the multi All-Ireland medal winner Tommy Doyle, who has gone down in history, because of that Seamus Derby goal back in 1982.

On the soccer fields O’Driscoll had few peers as he carved defences open with his trusty left leg and he was also a dead ball expert from frees and corner kicks.  He played in midfield for Camp United and also for the Kerry Oscar Traynor team, and would have been playing against the Desmond League in the couple weeks time for the Kingdom.

He played earlier this year against Limerick in the EA Sports Cup and was a regular scorer in the Denny Premier A.

Only loyalty to his local parish teams where he played with his brothers and a host of cousins, in the eyes of many shrewd judges prevented O’Driscoll from playing soccer at a higher level.

He played with his cousins for Camp Utd, including Bingo and Johnny O’Driscoll, Genie Farrell and Kieran O’Driscoll, all players who wore the green and gold of the Kingdom.

Brendan had three brothers, Vincent, Chris, and young Micheal who all play soccer and one sister Aisling and sympathy is extended to the his parents Vincent and Mary, his brothers and sisters, team-mates in Annascaul  and Camp Utd and entire stunned community of West Kerry who are trying to come to grips with this appalling tragedy.

At his funeral mass on Saturday, his brother Vince presented his Irish Junior International cap won in 2008 against Northern Ireland as one of the symbolic  gifts and FAI CEO John Delaney was represented by FAI Senior Council member John O’Regan who carried the Irish flag in front of the cortege.

Former Kerry star Tommy Doyle, holder of seven All-Ireland medals, Bawnie’s uncle and godfather, paid a moving tribute to his late nephew and read a poem written by Brendan’s first cousin Sean Fox Farrell that had mourners and team-mates in tears as they listened and the anguish on the faces of Bawnie’s parents Vincent and Mary, was almost unbearable to watch.

“Since he was an old enough to kick a ball, Bawnie wanted to do nothing else “Doyle remarked “Having shook thousands and thousands of hands yesterday, everyone said the same thing – Bawnie was a gentleman who did not have an enemy anywhere. He was gifted on the pitch, a shining beacon that led and the lads followed. It breaks our hearts to have to say goodbye today, but the support the family has been getting has been immense and I thank you all”

“Bawnie died at what he liked doing best and that was playing sport, but he has left a void that will be impossible to fill.”

The remains were then driven back to Camp where Brendan Bawnie O’Driscoll was laid to rest in the New Cemetery Camp, adjacent to the local Community soccer pitch, where he scored many a top notch goal for Camp United.

Brendan Bawnie O’Driscoll is survived by his parents Vincent and Mary, brothers, Jamie, Vincent, Chris, Micheal and sister Aishling and his girlfriend Grace.

Rest in Peace – Brendan Bainne O’Driscoll.