Hurler found dead at home

A TOP Limerick hurler is believed to be the latest sportsman to die from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.

Willie O’Brien, aged 28, who was due to play in a crucial hurling game yesterday, was found dead at home on Saturday morning.

He had gone to bed early the previous night after returning home from training. A post mortem was carried out at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital yesterday.

Willie was due to line out with his twin brother, Donnacha, for Knockainey in a relegation play off against Dromin Athlacca yesterday.

Willie, who lived with his parents, Denis and Ann, worked for a builders providers in Limerick.

Knockainey club treasurer John O’Riordan said: “I last spoke with Willie after training on Thursday night. He was full of the joys of living and looking forward to the game on Sunday. Willie played at full back and was our best player. Everybody, not just in the team, but in the parish looked up to Willie, he was a great GAA man.”

Willie was a former member of the senior Limerick hurling panel and won medals at schools, underage, intermediate and senior level. As well as serving the Knockainey club as a player, Willie was also its assistant treasurer.

John O’Riordan said: “He was a fantastic club man as well as being an accomplished player.

“Today we were looking forward to a very important game, but instead we are here making the arrangements for Willie’s funeral.”

This is the second tragedy to hit the club in recent times as a minor player died tragically ten days ago.

The removal will take place from O’Leary’s funeral home this evening and the burial will take place at Knockainey after funeral Mass tomorrow.