There's a cold silence over Ballina tonight - a deep feeling of loss which echoes quietly over the Moy. One of our own - a young man on the cusp of life, has passed away and the grief is almost physical.
John Brennan, who proudly described himself on Facebook as a 'Blindside Flanker at Ballina RFC' has died and to say the club is in shock would be an understatement of huge proportions.
Club Chairman, Alan Rowe, says everyone at Heffernan Park is stunned by the terrible news.
"On behalf of myself, our President, Dr Blaise Brunker and everyone in Ballina RFC, I want to send our deepest sympathies to Mary, Niall, Niall, Mark, Paul and all John's lovely family. We honestly cannot believe it and it's hard to find words right now. John was such a treasured member of the club, an integral cog in a group who were destined for true greatness on and off the rugby pitch. His death has cast a dark cloud over Ballina and we must all stand together now, alongside his family and support them in any way we can. May he rest in peace."
Vice President, Deirdre Whyte also expressed her condolences with the Brennan family and all who mourn the young flanker.
"John was a lovely pleasant lad to deal with both on and off the pitch at Ballina Rugby Club. He will be very sadly missed by all his team mates and friends at the club."

Predeceased by his sister Dayna Christina, grandparents Martin A. McAndrew and Nuala and Paddy Brennan and his uncles Paul and Gary.
John beloved son of Mary & Niall, loving brother of Niall, Mark and Paul and loving grandson of nanny Chrissie. Deeply regretted and sadly missed by his heartbroken parents, brothers, nanny, godmother Ann, uncles Paddy, Mike, Ray, Gerry, Liam and Keith, aunts Sheila, Nicky, Sam, Nicole, Valerie, Deirdre and Fionnuala, his cousins, relatives and many many friends.
May His Kind And Gentle Soul Rest In Peace.
Reposing at the family residence (Cora Maria, Church Road, Ballina) on Saturday evening from 4pm until 7pm and again on Sunday from 4pm until 7pm .
Funeral cortege will leave the residence on Monday morning at 11am to arrive to St. Muredach`s Cathedral for Requiem mass at 11.30am with burial afterwards in Leigue Cemetery.
Due to current Government and HSE guidelines John`s funeral mass will be for family and close friends.