Kilmacow falls silent as their 'determined' hurling captain Luke Harney is laid to rest
The late Luke Harney was laid to rest in his native Kilmacow
A floral tribute in the green and white colours of his beloved Kilmacow GAA club, depicting the word ‘captain’, stood at the foot of the altar inside St. Senan’s Church, Kilmacow, as a stunned and shattered community joined the Harney, Fell, and Ryan families in a final farewell to their beloved captain, the fantastic Luke Harney.
Amid poignant scenes in spring-like autumn weather, the remains of the 33-year-old father of two, who won All-Ireland minor and intermediate final titles for Kilkenny in 2010 and 2016, walked from the Kilmacow GAA complex to the church as hundreds stood to pay their respects to the “gentle soul”.
Luke lost his battle with life in the early hours of Monday last, after taking ill during training for his beloved Kilmacow, ahead of their junior clash with St. Patrick’s in the Kilkenny championship, with his sudden passing leaving a wave of unimaginable shock and grief within the local fraternity.
His oak coffin, draped in his beloved Kilmacow and Kilkenny hurling jerseys, was carried to the altar to the Neil Young classic “A Heart of Gold,” with his funeral Mass celebrated by chief celebrant Fr. Martin Tobin PP Kilmacow, assisted by Fr. Peter Muldowney PP Mooncoin, Fr. Liam Barron Mullinavat, and Fr. Paschal Moore PP Piltown.
Inside, an overflowing congregation joined his beloved fiancée Tash, parents Paul and Jacinta, and brothers Gerry, Shane, and Jake, to say a heartfelt goodbye to a “warrior on the hurling field, who showed great courage and determination, but was a gentle soul in life.” Symbols of Luke’s life were brought to the altar, including family pictures, his Kilmacow jersey, his hurley and helmet, his All-Ireland winning Kilkenny jersey, his Waterford Soccer jersey, a Liverpool scarf, his Ray Ban sunglasses, and an Oasis Hat from the last concert that he and Tash attended.
In his homily to those inside and outside St. Senan’s Church, Fr. Martin Tobin said that the tragic and sudden passing of Luke at the age of 33 has “shaken the community of Kilmacow to its core.” “There are moments in life when words cannot bear the full weight of our sorrow. Luke’s loss is immeasurable. His funeral today, September 11, 2025, is 24 years after the horrible event in New York that shattered the world. Luke’s death has shattered everyone.
“The pain is wrong, the questions have no answers, and the future seems unimaginably dark, but like every athlete, we must begin by stretching, and we must stretch for hope.”
The chief celebrant took time to speak to “two very special people, Holly and Sofia”, Luke’s two daughters, who weren’t present at the Mass, but he hoped that they could watch the recording of their “daddy’s funeral” in the years to come.
“I know you're only three and 10 months old, but one day you might like to watch the recording of your dad's funeral mass. You are as much a part of the celebration of life as anyone here today. I want to tell you what everyone has told me: that your Daddy loves you and will always love you.
“Your daddy is proud of you and will be proud of you always, that your daddy was a mighty man on the field of hurling and a gentle man to everyone. Your daddy is a hero, a leader, a loving Father to you, a beautiful son, an adoring fiancé to your mother, and a proud and mighty brother to your uncles.
“His determination, his strength, and his courage touched every life he met. Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.
“And remember, Holly and Sofia, the last thing he did before he left for training was to play and laugh with you because you meant the world to him.”
Fr. Tobin added that there were six powerful words that best described Luke to represent the number that he wore on his jersey. “Strength, determination, courage, leadership, and mighty crack. He was, as his family says, a modern-day Braveheart. He was a tall a character to his family and friends as the Twin Towers were to New York.
“The hurling field became Luke's final battleground, and though he rarely lost any battle in life, this one proved beyond his formidable strength. His sudden collapse on the field he loved, surrounded by his teammates and first responders who fought so hard for him, reminds us that there are some battles that even the strongest are not able to win.
“Luke was a gentleman, a leader, a one in a million, a soul who will light up every room, a true life Gael, a Gaelic warrior who wore the jersey of the black and amber with distinction and brought pride and honor to his parish. Luke's legacy of love and leadership will remain as long as everyone here lives.” In a poignant tribute from the heart, his fiancée, Tash, thanked those who supported the family and those who did everything to save Luke’s life on Friday, before recalling the special love and bond that he had for his family, his parents, and his brothers.
She spoke about how Luke and his dad, Paul, looked forward to the “yearly trips to Liverpool”, how he was “proud and honoured to be best man for his brother Gerry’s wedding”, and how he grew up with a love of “wrestling and boxing”.
She spoke passionately about his love for “his club Kilmacow” and how he felt that this “was going to be the year” that they would win the county final. She remembered his contribution to soccer as a “no-nonsense defender” and how he loved representing Waterford.
Tash added, “I know nobody wants to ever be in this position, but if you can take anything from this, take comfort in the fact that you all meant the world to him. All you ever did didn't go unnoticed, and he loved you all.
“To the greatest things in life that Luke achieved, nothing will ever compare to how he felt when he became a dad to our two girls, Holly and Sofia. They were his absolute pride and joy. He's raised, cared for, and nurtured our girls to be the beautiful little women we see today.
“He's provided them a safe space to grow, great memories, and enjoy some experiences in their short lives that many don't get in their lifetime. Even though they only had you for such a short time, they've been incredibly fortunate to go on holidays, have a love for swimming, and spend many weekends in the pool doing lessons.” With the help of a divine courage of strength and holding back tears, Tash concluded, “I’ll never understand why you didn't get a chance to come home to us again. But if there's one thing I know for sure, it's that you would never want to leave our girls behind. Their lives with you have been short, but their memories will be of family. I promise you, they’ll always know their daddy.
“I just simply want to thank you, Luke. Thank you for choosing me. Even though our time together wasn't for as long as we hoped, and we won't have the opportunity to fulfil our life plans, I can honestly assure you, my life is so much richer simply for having you in it.
“You supported me, guided me, and pushed me to be the best version of myself. You gave me confidence in myself that I didn't even know I had. Nothing I asked was ever too much. You would have followed me to the ends of the earth.
“You were always so loyal and dedicated. I knew you would always be in my corner. I never fear anything, and that we could take on the world together. You give me memories that some people won't get in a lifetime. You showed me and made me what it feels like to be truly loved.
“Although we never made it up the aisle, I hope you know you always will have my heart. Thank you for making me the happiest girl in the world and giving me my two favourite titles, Luke's girl and mammy. To our two children. If I could have saved you, I would have saved you a million times over. But for now, please just know I know you and I miss you for the rest of my life.”
Luke’s remains were carried from the church to the voice of soloist Megan, accompanied by Una on piano, to the Liverpool FC anthem, You’ll Never Walk Alone,” before he was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery in his beloved parish that he gave up so much for during his 33 years.
Predeceased by his grandparents Gerry and Pearl (Harney), Mick and Molly (Fell) and mother-in-law Teresa (Ryan). Luke will be missed by his cherished fiancée Natasha (Tash) and adored daughters Holly and Sofia, heartbroken parents Paul and Jacinta, brother Gerry & sister-in-law Kristina, brothers Shane and Jake and their partners Cliona and Lauryn, father-in-law Willie, brother-in-law Keith and his wife Sharon, aunts, uncles, aunts-in-law, uncles-in-law, nieces and nephews Aoibhe, Sadhbh, Jack, Alfie, Toby and Poppy, cousins, relatives, his GAA family and a wide circle of friends.
May he rest in peace.
