Limerick man who was fatally assaulted remembered as top class sportsman at funeral

A Limerick father who was fatally assaulted last week was remembered at his funeral on Friday as having led a "great sporting life" culminating in playing soccer and rugby for Ireland.

Alan Bourke (48) from St Mary's Park, was found with critical injuries at Colbert Station Plaza, Parnell Street in Limerick City around 10.25pm on April 15th. It is understood he sustained a fatal blow to his head.

Fr Gerard O’Leary, parish priest St Mary’s Church, told mourners Mr Bourke was regarded as a top class sportsman, excelling at soccer, rugby and handball. His soccer boots and his international and club jerseys were laid beside his coffin at the church altar.

“As you can see, there are symbols and elements of his great sporting life here on the altar with him, and it is an amazing feat of what he accomplished in his young life,” said Fr O’Leary.

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Reading a tribute from the Bourke family, Fr O’Leary said: “Alan was the eldest of three children, he was a typical boy growing up in St Mary’s Park, and all the time he was playing sport – soccer, rugby, handball– Every time you met him he would either be going to play a match or he’d be training.

“As a young boy and teenager he won lots of cups and medals, and any time he would arrive home with his latest trophy, he would show it to his proud parents, especially his late mother Chris, who would then visit his aunts and uncles and relatives and neighbours and friends to tell them ‘my Alan’ has won another trophy, this is how Chris would always speak of Alan.

Passion for sport

“This passion for sport continued through his teens which led him to being capped for the Irish U-18 rugby team, having played for St Mary’s RFC and then the Shannon rugby senior team.”

"He joined Mungret Regional Football Club, winning a Munster Junior Cup in 1994; they were FAI Junior Cup finalists in 1996, and the Sam year he was capped for the Irish soccer team."

“Alan was always jolly and in great form, he had the gift of the gab, he was a fun-loving, outgoing, cheeky chappy, who would always see the funny side of everything. So, it is with these thoughts that we will remember him.”

Representatives from local sporting clubs, friends and neighbours attended the funeral Mass.

The former manager with a tool and machinery hire company had recently returned to his native Limerick after living for a period in Co Cork.

Pre-deceased by his mother Christina Bourke (Nee Leamy), and survived by his father Mike, sister Diane, brother Barry and son Matt, Mr Bourke was laid to rest in Castlemungret Cemetery.