‘Your smile and your drive will never be forgotten’

The funeral of a 24 year old athlete who died after competing in the Cork City Marathon will take place on Thursday.

Ellen Cassidy of Old Mallow Road passed after becoming unwell at the finish line having completed the half marathon event on Sunday.

Medics rushed to her aid and she was brought by ambulance to CUH where she tragically died a short time later.

She will be laid to rest today, Thursday, at St Catherine’s Cemetery, Kilcully, following a requiem mass at 2pm in the Church of the Annunciation, Blackpool.

Her family has requested that all ladies attending the funeral wear their most colourful outfits.

Since the news of her death, tributes have poured in for Ms Cassidy who was a champion swimmer and a long-time member of Dolphin Swimming Club in Mayfield.

In 2018 she represented Ireland at the European Youth Olympics and European Junior Championships.

A statement from the club read: “Ellen swam through life with grace, strength, and passion. Your smile and your drive will never be forgotten.”

Swim Ireland, Ireland’s national governing body for swimming, also offered its condolences on her passing.

Swim Ireland said Ms Cassidy had represented her club, region, and country with pride over many years as a competitive swimmer.

The organisation said: “Swim Ireland and the Irish swimming community are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dolphin Swimming Club’s Ellen Cassidy at the Cork City Marathon on Sunday.”

“Our condolences to Ellen’s family and friends, all at Dolphin Swimming Club, and the wider Cork and Munster swimming community.”

Ms Cassidy’s death sent a shockwave across Cork where more than 11,000 runners took to the streets on Sunday to take part in the marathon.

Organisers of the event said they were “deeply saddened” by her passing.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle offered his sincere condolences to her family and friends saying: “We extend our deepest sympathies to the family, friends, and all who knew Ellen. Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time.”

Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Honore Kamegni added: “It is with deep sadness that I heard the passing of a woman in her 20s at the Cork Marathon today.

“My heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones,” he said.

Ms Cassidy leaves behind her mum Vi, her dad Tom, her sister Mary, her brother Charlie, her boyfriend Rob, and her grandparents Joan, Billy, and Tom.