𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐧𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝

It was with great sadness that we received news yesterday of the passing of Rory Friel, Head of Boys’ PE (1995-2012) and stalwart friend of Shimna.

Rory moved to St Colman’s in Newry in 2012, serving there with equal distinction. As transfers go, their gain was our loss.

Within these walls, the outpouring of sadness, affection and love for Rory over the past couple of days has been palpable. The following tributes are an inkling of the impact this special man had - and will continue to have - on staff and students alike down the years.

Rory was a life force, the personification of the power of education.

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𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝

Rory was Head of Boys' PE from September 1995 until August 2012, and his passion for athletics and cross-country was unmatched. Many will fondly remember his joy in taking students to the All Irelands, with a minibus full of energy, muddy kits, a nice hotel and plenty of craic.

Even as recently as June this year, Rory was still doing what he loved most - teaching PE. He was deeply committed to his students and always had a story to share about how wonderful life is. Mr Positive.

Rory was a proud dad, a devoted grandad, a passionate teacher, a superb golfer (his words), and a cherished friend. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

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𝐉𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧

Rory was one of the most positive people I have ever met. He was full of enthusiasm, totally committed to the students he taught and keen to give them every opportunity to excel in a wide range of sports. I had the privilege of joining him and Eamonn on several ski trips and have many fond memories of us together. He spent a lot of time with beginners on the slopes - myself included - laughing with us, watching our technique and offering helpful tips.

I feel blessed to have bumped into him again in June and shared a lovely moment catching up, hearing how Nicola and Mark were getting on. Rory was a true gentleman, one of a kind and he will be sorely missed.

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𝐉𝐞𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠

Rory McIlroy might be a slightly better golfer than Shimna's Mr Friel but our Rory will always be someone I'll aspire to emulate. He will always be spoken of in glowing terms from those he inspired to run that little bit faster, to make those inches, and to catch that ball or to score that try.

Just this last week, members of the Burrendale Country Club were asking about Rory, with former students deeply saddened to hear the sad news. It was a real pleasure to work with him and to share so many rounds of great golf. Thanks for the wonderful memories, Rory.

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𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝐃𝐨𝐲𝐥𝐞

Rory and I were colleagues for 16 years funding the P.E. Department. Rory was the most committed P.E. teacher possible. He loved teaching and coaching students in all team games but particularly athletics and cross-country.

Rory embraced the Shimna’s integrated ethos in all aspects of the P.E. and extra-curricular curriculum, providing students with the opportunity to play in Rugby, Soccer, Gaelic, Cricket, Basketball, Cross-country and Athletics teams. He was also a very keen skier and the Shimna Ski trip leader for many years. He loved teaching the students how to ski, providing them with useful tips to improve their technique.

Rory inspired young athletes to reach their full potential, coaching them to national level successfully, in athletic and cross-country events. He also played an important role in the organisation of athletics and cross country at District, Ulster and All-Ireland level.

Rory was a driving force behind many of the initiatives that helped develop young athletes in the Co. Down. He was a supremely enthusiastic, positive, person who enjoyed a joke and a bit of craic. Rory loved life and lived every day to the full.

He was a great colleague and a valued friend, who will be so sadly missed by his family, friends, colleagues and athletes.

Rest in Peace Rory!

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𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 ( 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 )

So very sad to hear this news. I knew of Rory's illness but am shocked at his sudden death. He was indeed Mr Positive and always brought out the best in his students. He was an absolute gentleman. It was a pleasure to work with such a passionate and courteous man.

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𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤

Rory was a breath of fresh air - always positive and full of craic. He had time for everyone and was a very supportive colleague.

I have met him a few times over the years, and although he loved St Colman’s, he always spoke fondly of his friends in Shimna.

The last time I saw him was in June when he landed to school with some of his current students for a tour with Campbell. He greeted us with a huge, big smile and hug. He was very impressed with the new build, and promised he’d come to the production at Christmas. We will miss him.

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𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐞

Mr Friel was my PE teacher at Shimna Integrated College for 7 years and he made a massive impact on me, more than I even knew until I left school. When I first started thinking of potentially become a teacher, I reached out to Rory and asked if I could come into the school to work with him and gain some experience in the PE department. That month spent with him was amazing and was the catalyst for me to go on to become a teacher myself. Rory helped me get a temporary post as a classroom assistant in the school after that and 2 years later my teaching career started in the school. I have great memories of break times in Eamonn Burns old technology room, golf days out and even a “friendly” game of tennis out the back of the school one sunny afternoon.

The last time I spoke to Rory was ironically in February at the Ulster Schools Cross-Country championships in Mallusk. I was up supporting my son, Jamie, who was representing Shimna. I spotted Rory on the starting line putting the St. Colman’s boys through their warm-ups. Over 25 years earlier, I was there myself going through those warm-ups and it made me smile to see that same enthusiasm he had. We shook hands, chatted and, as ever, he was full of positivity. In fact, I cannot remember ever seeing Rory in a bad mood. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this extremely sad time.

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𝐑𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐜𝐚 𝐌𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐲

Rory would infect people with his positivity. He loved the finer things in life: good wine, good food, good slopes, good athletes and Leeds United FC - lol. He loved a black run and to “let the skis run.”

He could have had a dinner made by a Year 8 and it would have always been “the best, outstanding” - invariably gesturing with his hands!

I will remember him forever as a calm, reassuring and encouraging presence.

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𝐉𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝

No matter what was going on in the world, Rory was always so positive. He always looked for the best in everyone and would have helped anyone. And, equally important, he was good craic. Rest in peace, Rory.

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Our thoughts and prayers are with Rory’s family at this time