A small rural Laois area has been stunned by the sudden death of one of the community’s most active members.
Alan Langton from Barrowhouse, a man hugely respected in GAA circles and a highly-regarded financial planner, passed away suddenly on Monday evening. He was aged 52.
He was a former member of Laois GAA, having served as both football board chairman and juvenile chairman in the last 15 years or so.
He was Barrowhouse’s County Board delegate at the time of his passing and a recent secretary of the club. He is survived by his wife Linda, sons Fergus, Cillian and Hugh.
The Langton name is synonymous with the Barrowhouse area and Alan was the oldest of a family of six, son of Christy and Marie and older brother to Gary, Paul, Leon, Adrian and Catherine.
Be it business, sporting, community, education or indeed historical or political matters, Alan was always well-informed, maintaining regular contact with a wide range of associates.
Alan was influential in Laois GAA circles and was a strong advocate for club issues and was particularly aware of the challenges facing small clubs like his own beloved Barrowhouse.
Alan chaired the committee that introduced the current senior football championship format back in 2008 and the new calendar provided certainty to club fixtures. In that respect Laois had a split season long before the GAA at national level opted to do the same.
A strong independent thinker, he was never afraid to go against the consensus and his involvement in the various groups was always for the right reasons.
He was also a leading figure in the formation of the Na Fianna Og underage setup, where Barrowhouse and the two Arles clubs play together at juvenile level.
Professionally Alan was a Partner and Senior Financial Planner with Clear Financial in Dublin.
A past student of Athy CBS he had studied Business Studies in DCU and later underwent further studies in UCD when he got a Masters in Financial Services and Planning.
His passing will leave a major void to all who knew him. Funeral details to follow. May he rest in peace.
SEE ALSO – Our profile of the Barrowhouse club ahead of the 2022 Laois Junior ‘A’ football final
