"The "Hall of fame" entry on www.boyleceltic.com goes someway in showing the swell of affection and fond memories that everyone who met Ian Beirne feels. Ian was die-hard Boyle Celtic. No weather, sickness, injury or ailment could keep Ian from football. He kicked every ball with the players and we all miss his enthusiasm from the sideline every Sunday. You were never down when Ian was around.Boyle Celtic’s committee of which Ian was a hardworking member, wanted to do something within the club that would keep his memory alive in the minds of Boyle Celtic people and indeed everyone in Boyle. We decided that an annual tournament in his honour would be just what he’d have loved. Young pretenders, former greats (chancers), current stars and of course "the outsiders" all pitting their wits against each other in a feast of football. We hope that the Ian Beirne memorial shield will be held in the highest regard by all future winners and indeed participants. It is there to serve as a tribute to a Boyle man who gave his every minute to local sport and never asked for recognition or reward. Time is the most valuable commodity in modern Ireland and when you’ve met someone like Ian Beirne who was willing to give all of his to young people in Boyle Celtic, then remember you were in the presence of a Real Legend.”
