‘It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see ya later’: Family and friends remember Cillian Flaherty, 15, at funeral
by Pat Flanagan · Irish MirrorThe heartbroken elder brother of teenage Ireland’s Fittest Family contestant Cillian Flaherty who died earlier this week described him as his “best friend”.
The 15-year-old died suddenly at his home in Mulhuddart, North Dublin on Monday morning causing extreme shock and leading to the cancellation of the show.
Holding back tears Kian Flaherty told the packed Church of St Philip the Apostle that he often rowed with his younger sibling but they always made up.
READ MORE - Tributes pour in after death of 'very popular' teen who competed in RTE's Ireland's Fittest Family
He said: “We were the best of friends. No matter how many fights we had, we just forgot about them and got on with life 10 minutes later.
“I’m going to miss coming home from work and asking you what the poa is — for anyone doesn’t know poa; it’s the plan of action… and all he used to say is, “I’ll just go with the flow, bro.”
Trying not to break down in tears he added: “I love you, kid. Rest in paradise and look after us all. It’s not a goodbye, it’s a see ya later.”
Cillian’s grieving family, who had requested that blue be worn to the service, chose a blue coffin for the teenager, with blue balloons also in the church for the mass.
Included among the gifts that were brought up were his phone, which was ‘never out of his hand’, his player of the year trophy, his football jersey and a family photo, to highlight his love for his family.
Cillian was a third-year student at Blakestown Community School in West Dublin and was a talented footballer.
The funeral mass heard that Cillian, affectionately known as “Cillo” had great ambitions and “could have been anything” if he’d lived.
Cillian’s family also paid tribute to the Ireland’s Fittest Family team over the last week, and expressed their gratitude at the show being postponed following Cillian’s passing.
They said: “He was so looking forward to watching it when it came out and obviously this happened. Obviously the show is going to be out, we’re still going to watch it.” The funeral mass was followed by burial in Mulhuddart Cemetery.
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