It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of former secretary of Cuala the great Eileen Doyle.
Beloved wife of the late Jimmy, president of Cuala, and loving mother of Evelyn, Brian and Fiona; and mother-in-law of the late Paul.
Eileen was a tireless worker for Cuala in it’s infancy, serving as club secretary for a good few years.
Below are a selection of memories of Eileen from some of our older and not so old members.
Maurice O’Callaghan
I joined Cuala as a 17 year old in 1979. At the time, we were a small club.
The club on the side of the hill, as Eileen’s late husband, Jimmy, the manager of the senior hurling team, described us in his team talks.
She was a founding member of Cuala at a time when hurling and football were minority sports in the Borough.
We wouldn’t have achieved our successes without the likes of Eileen.
She was club secretary for many years.
She washed the jerseys. She carried out the little jobs others spurned. She gave Jimmy her undivided support over the years, and that was a factor in the development of hurling in the club to where it is today.
In recent years, Eileen’s health declined, but that did not stop Eileen being in good form.
She always had a smile on her face. Eileen is now gone to her well deserved rest.
No doubt Jimmy and Eileen will sing a few bars of Cool Clear Water on Christmas Day.
Thanks for everything Eileen.
Colmán Ó’Drisceoil
Bhraitheas fáilte i gcónaí ag bualadh isteach go teach Eileen agus Jimmy – do dhreas siamsaíochta Lá ‘le Stiofáin, cóir leighis ó shnáthaidí Fhiona nó chun camán a bhailiú.
Bhí Eileen agus Jimmy an-mhórálach as Cuala.
Braithfidh mé in easnamh anois iad ach maireann a gcuimhne.
Damian Byrne
I first met Eileen when her husband Jimmy asked me to play for the senior hurling team.
I was in my teens and it was the start of a great friendship with the 2 of them.
Over the next 45 years they guided me, not only through my hurling career, but also my life.
Their door was always open and many a cup of tea was had.
You couldn’t mention one of them without the other.
While Jimmy was the the manager, Eileen was a rock of sense when it came to tactics and politics.
She was the backbone of Cuala which made it one of the best clubs in the country.
They were a great couple and I will always be grateful to them for their support, help and most of all for their friendship throughout my life. I’m sure I speak on behalf of many a person that went through Cuala when I say they were the best of people, who’s friendship I will miss.
May God bless you both and keep you close to him. RIP.
Mark Schutte
Mick Dunphy Jnr.
It is with very great sadness that we, the Dunphy family, have learned of the passing of one of Cuala’s stalwarts, Eileen Doyle.
There is a long standing bond of friendship between the two families, stemming all the way back to the foundation of the Club when both Jimmy and Mick were instrumental, along with other Cuala greats, in the formation of this great Club. But both men were always assisted by their ‘better halves’, Eileen & Bridie.
Eileen was always present on the sidelines at matches, cheering and supporting all the teams which Jimmy coached over the years. She was always present on the bus, quietly singing from her seat, as Jimmy entertained us all, as we travelled to the matches.
Eileen was an active member of the Ladies Committee, catering for teams as they returned to the Clubhouse, in victory, and defeat.
Eileen was also a regular at the Club Bingo sessions, doing whatever job was asked of her. I’m not sure if Eileen ever did play cards, but she certainly hosted many a card session in her home.
Our Club has lost another Great, but she is now reunited with her beloved Jimmy and no doubt all of the other Cuala Greats, in that wonderful home in Heaven, have lined out to give her a Guard of Honour and welcome her to her new Cuala Home in Heaven.
Eileen’s funeral will be on Wednesday 28th December in St Michaels Church in Dún Laoghaire. Come along and wear your colours.
Funeral details here
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.
