Ed Duggan was tragically killed while training on the Killarney to Farranfore road with seven club mates. He was struck from behind by a vehicle travelling in the same direction and died instantly (Photo with many thanks to Mark Williams, Killarney CC)
By Brian Canty
Tributes have been paid to the late Ed Duggan from Firies, near Killarney, Co Kerry, who was tragically killed while out training with teammates last Sunday morning.
The 36 year-old Killarney CC rider was struck from behind by a vehicle travelling in the same direction and he was killed instantly.
Those who were with him at the time survived the collision but were extremely traumatised.
Ed was laid to rest in Firies - 15 kilometres north of Killarney - this afternoon, Thursday.
And leading the tributes to him was chairman of the local club, Noel Doherty.
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“He was a very well-liked, one of these guys who would never insult anyone," he said of Ed, a hugely popular and well regarded man.
“He’d always have the good word, never the bad word. He was a very calm and soft-spoken guy.
"He was always positive; loved racing, especially loved doing the MTB races.
"And it never bothered him if a race went badly – he was always looking forward.
“We cyclists are always bitching about people but Ed is one guy who never ever moaned - no one can ever say they heard him say a bad word because he never did.
"He was never one to get involved in petty stuff or back-stabbing."
Ed Duggan was one very well liked man and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and everyone who knew him.
Ed worked in the Killarney nursing home and leaves behind two brothers, his mother and his long-time partner. His father passed away five years ago.
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“He was highly-regarded in the club and where he worked; they were like his two extra families,” continued Doherty.
Another club member, Brendan Cassidy, commented how the huge crowd that turned out to pay their respects at Ed's funeral was a sign of how popular he was.
“There was a massive turnout and it was just absolutely amazing to see,” said Cassidy.
“He was all about having fun and never took life too seriously.”
Ed was buried in Firies, where his late father was born before the family moved to the UK.
They moved back to the village to retire about 10 years ago after which Ed joined the local club.
A close friend, Mark Williams, said his abiding memories of Ed would be of a warm-hearted man.
“He was my best friend, he was like a brother to me, my best man and a guy who you could talk to,” said Williams.
“Ed had a great outlook on life. We travelled a lot to races together all over the country.
"And his attitude was just to finish the races, though he gave them his all.
“He was planning to go road racing next year and he was training to race as an A4. I’ve lost a mate and mates like Ed are hard to come by.”
Another close friend, Patrick Clifford recalled a “kind an unassuming type”.
“Words really cannot describe this tragedy," he said.
“He’s a loss to the club, to his career as a nurse, and to those friends he had that appreciated his input in personal matters. You’d be proud to say you knew him.
“He was always there to help people; an out and out gentleman.
"And his ethic was to live; he worked to live. He believed in living life ahead of working.
“He didn't care about money or material possessions, he lived very simply and he’s a true loss.”
Ar dheis Dé go raibh aanam dílis.
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