A teenage hurler who dropped dead suddenly in Co Cork at the weekend leaves behind a family already trying to rebuild after two terrible blows last year.

He may have been left temporarily paralysed following a club hurling match last October — but he wouldn’t let that stop him and yesterday Dessie Fitzgerald married Sarah McEvoy in North Cork.

Cork captain Donal Óg Cusack has paid an emotional tribute to fellow hurler Dessie Fitzgerald as the Charleville man today prepares to marry sweetheart Sarah McEvoy.