Father of three dies after rugby match

A 37-year-old father of three who died suddenly after a rugby game over the bank holiday weekend will be buried today. John Byrne from Troyswood, Kilkenny, collapsed and died minutes after playing a game with his 18-year-old son, Richard.

His remains will be interred today in a cemetery just yards from his favourite rugby grounds.

The water treatment plant manager is the fourth sports player to have died suddenly this year. Two GAA players and a rugby youth all lost their lives in the past few months.