CHAMPION PITCH AND putt player Shane Murphy who was fatally stabbed in Carrigaline, Co Cork last weekend was remembered at his requiem mass today  as “a virtuous man who died before his time”.

Hundreds of mourners gathered in the Church of Our Lady and St John, in Carrigaline as the family of the 27 year old said their last goodbyes to the talented sportsman. 

In a touching moment Shane’s brother Brian brought up and placed a bible and a crucifix on the coffin, which was covered in a Pitch and Putt Ireland flag.

Symbols of his life were placed on a table. These included a putter and a ball a glass trophy, a PlayStation controller and a Liverpool jersey.

The mass was celebrated by Fr Charles Nyhan and Fr Sylvester O’Flynn, from the Capuchin Monastery in Rochestown, and Fr Aiden Cremin, of the Carrigaline Parish.

Fr Nyhan said Shane was much loved by all who knew him. 

“Shane, as all of you have known him, know he was an honest man, kind-hearted person, thoughtful of others, and respectful to all.

“To his mam Marie, he was her pride and joy and to his dad Weeshie he was a true companion and to all the family he was someone they all looked up to.”

He said that anyone who knew Shane knew what a “brilliant natural talent”.

Fr Nyhan stressed Shane was modest about his talents. 

“He was so unassuming about it all. 

“He was just a wonderful example of how to carry your talent, no matter how great it is. “Weeshie and Marie and family and his many friends all delighted in his achievements, and they were very proud of him, and rightly so.”

Fr Nyhan read lyrics of the Liverpool anthem out to the hundreds of mourners. 

“When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high and don’t be afraid of the dark.

“Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain,

“Tho’ your dreams be tossed and blown, walk on, walk on with hope in your heart and you’ll never walk alone

“At the end of the storm, there’s a golden sky and the sweet silver song of the lark.”

He added: “I’m sure he often sang it himself.”

Shane was pronounced dead at his home in the Seaview Estate in Carrigaline in the early hours of last Saturday.  

His father, Weeshie, was seriously injured in the same incident. He was unable to attend the funeral today, 

Shane’s older brother John Murphy (42)  has been charged in relation to the death.

 Shane was ranked in the top ten of Ireland’s pitch and putt players and was a two time All Ireland champion.