Young hurler is laid to rest

LAST week, promising young hurler Liam O’Regan wore his beloved Kilkenny jersey sitting his Leaving Cert.

But yesterday, the 18-year-old Cork boy who died suddenly during a match two days ago was laid to rest in it.

Liam’s parents, Michael and Ann, are originally from Kilkenny.

Liam used to wear the jersey during training sessions with his club, Ballinora.

But he dropped dead on the club’s GAA pitch near Waterfall, on the outskirts of Cork city, on Tuesday night, ten minutes into the second half of a minor hurling clash with Kilmichael.

Desperate efforts by two local doctors failed to revive him.

Hundreds of mourners, including GAA President Nicky Brennan and Ballinora Club Chairman, John Brosnan, attended Liam’s emotional funeral in Ballinora after noon Mass yesterday.

His devastated school friends from Colaiste an Spioraid Naoimh (CSN), his team-mates, players from Kilmichael, and GAA officials, formed a guard of honour outside the Church of St James.

CSN principal, Frank McCarthy described Liam as “an A1 student who was dedicated to both his studies and sport”.

Liam had just finished his Leaving Cert exams, last week, and had started a summer job in Carrigtwohill.

A single rose and a simple bouquet of flowers were on the pitch yesterday marking the spot where he died.

Liam was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — excessive thickening of the heart muscle — four years ago. He knew the risks and moved to play in goal to minimise the risk.

The O’Regan family have requested that donations be made to the Irish Heart Foundation in lieu of flowers.