Grieving family of young star 'overwhelmed' by support after road tragedy

"One of the best" was how Alfie Tolan described his son, Liam, as the family prepared for the funeral of the Meath minor footballer, which takes place today (Wednesday) in Curraha. The people of Skryne, Rathfeigh, Curraha and the general Ashbourne area, as well as the Meath GAA community, have been gathering in support of the Tolan family of Kilmoon following the death of 17 year-old Liam in a road traffic collision close to his home on Saturday night. Earlier that day, he had starred for the Meath minor football team in Pairc Tailteann, where they played Offaly in the Leinster MFC quarter-final. "I went to see all his games. I loved seeing him play. I'm glad I did now," Alfie Tolan said yesterday (Tuesday), as the family awaited the arrival of GAA president Christy Cooney to express the condolences of the organisation. "I even went along to a few training sessions to see him." Alfie believed his son's biggest achievements were to come. Just last week, he had been named senior player of the year at Ashbourne Community School. "In the last year or two, he was very organised. He knew where he was at regarding football and study. His aim was to make the senior county team." Alfie, from Finglas, and his Kilbride native wife Teresa, moved to Kilmoon 26 years ago, and their sons, Peter and Liam, soon became immersed in local sports. As a youngster at Rathfeigh NS, Liam played in Croke Park in the mini-sevens, representing the county twice, with principal Philip Ward, father of current player Cian Ward. Liam was part of a football team that won a schools final with Rathfeigh. "That was the start of it," his father said. Alfie used to coach the two boys in athletics at Tara AC, and Liam enjoyed success with Skryne under-12s, going on to win an Under-16 Division 1 final with the team, and a Division 2 Minor final. He gained a place on the county minor team last year, and held onto it this year. He held five Leinster medals playing for Ashbourne Community School and Meath VEC. The Tolan family has been overwhelmed by the amount of people who have been supporting them since Liam's death on Saturday night. "We didn't realise he was such a character, we thought he was a quiet lad," his grieving dad added. "But the lads tell us he had great leadership qualities, that he'd be quietly encouraging them on the pitch. Even on Saturday." Teachers in Ashbourne often sought Liam's advice on where best to place players for a game. He was due to sit his Leaving Certificate in a week's time and had completed all his projects in subjects like woodwork. Liam will be remembered as lighting up any company he was in, and offering advice on the latest music tastes to his brother, Peter, who DJs at functions. He had a close circle of young friends who are all devastated by his death. The graduation Mass at Ashbourne Community College was postponed on Monday night as a mark of respect, and Skryne GAA Club has postponed all activities until after the burial. All under-age football games in the county have been postponed by Meath GAA. In a statement, Coiste na Mí CLG said: "It is with deep regret that Coiste na Mi has learned of the tragic death of Liam Tolan. Liam was one of the most talented young footballers in the county and had been a member of the Meath Minor team in 2009 and again this year. He was corner-forward on the team beaten by Offaly in the Leinster Championship on Saturday last. "He had also starred in recent years with the Ashbourne Community Schools team which he helped to win the Leinster Vocational Schools title. And he was also a key figure with his club Skryne. Coiste na Mí wishes to extend its deepest sympathy to Liam's parents, Teresa and Alfie, and brother, Peter." Liam's removal will take place from the house at Kilmoon today (Wednesday) at 10.30am, arriving at St Andrew's Church, Curraha, for 11am Mass. Burial will follow in Crossmacole Cemetery. Gardai in Ashbourne are investigating the circumstances of the single vehicle fatal crash, which occurred at Ballyhack, Kilbrew, Ashbourne, at approximately 12.10am on Saturday night/Sunday morning. Liam sustained serious injuries when the car in which he was a passenger collided with a ditch. He was taken by ambulance to Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, where he was pronounced dead. The driver and a second passenger, both male and aged in their late teens, were not injured. The road was closed for technical examination. Witnesses are asked to contact Ashbourne Garda Station on (01) 801 0600, or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.