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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
David Kent

Henry Shefflin's emotional tribute to brother Paul as he remembers 'the best of us'

Henry Shefflin gave an emotional tribute to his brother Paul, saying that he was "the best of the Shefflins."

The 40-year-old passed away after collapsing while out for a run on Friday.

Speaking at his funeral on Tuesday afternoon, the Galway hurling manager and Ballyhale Shamrocks legend said: "I am Henry Shefflin and I'm Paul Shefflin's brother. I'm very very proud to be able to say that. I'm here today to speak on behalf of the Shefflin family.

"I have such good memories from growing up, myself and Paul were close in age. We spent a long number of years together in the one bed up in the attic of our family pub.

"As we were coming down there, we all stopped and pointed up to that attic. The girls were on the middle floor and the four boys were up in the attic, no insulation, no nothing.

"Paul was always there for us and everyone. He was my hot water blanket because we'd snuggle together. Paul was very close to me and I'm honoured to speak on his behalf.

Addressing the crowd at the St Martin of Tours church, Henry continued: "Paul was a friend to so many. Each of you had your own connection and we trust you and want you to hold on to that connection

"He was our baby - he was born over 12lbs, something that (our mother) Mai likes to remind us of. He was the smallest, and the biggest baby. Mai always says that he was the one who never raised the voice to her."

Henry thanked Gemma Prendergast, the woman who came to Paul's aid after he collapsed on Friday.

He teared up when saying: "I don't want to hear 'The Arms of an Angel' in this church for a number of years. We're hearing it too often these days."

That was a reference to the losses of the likes of Eugene Aylward, a 23-year-old star for Shamrocks who was killed in a car crash in 2019.

Henry concluded: "Paul was a lovable rogue. He was the best of our family by a country mile, the most liked person both within and outside. If you ask anyone in Ballyhale, he was the best of all the Shefflins.

"He was the messer, and most happy when landing the punchline. We have learnt that so much of his love for being in the thick of it

"Paul was everyone's favourite. No-one ever talked about it, but we all knew."

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