Tributes paid to rugby star

MUNSTER rugby paid tribute yesterday to a young player who died tragically.

Matthew O’Connor, 16, from Dromtrasna, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick, had been recently picked for the Munster Youth squad and had been described as a great prospect by team management.

The youngster, who attended St Ita’s College in Abbeyfeale, was a back-seat passenger in a car that crashed near Listowel early on Thursday.

Members of the Munster under-16 squad and club members in Abbeyfeale formed a guard of honour when his coffin was brought from the parish church in Abbeyfeale to the local cemetery for burial.

Mourners were led by his parents Con and Juliette O’Connor, his sister and three brothers.

The president of Abbeyfeale RFC, Declan Woulfe, said his death was a great loss to his family, the community and rugby.

“Matthew had just broken onto the Munster rugby underage scene and was destined to go a long way in the game. He was a fine player and even at the age of 16 was about to make it onto our senior panel, such was his ability. Matthew was a great leader and example to the young players in the club who admired him as a player and as a friend,” he said.

Matthew was named player of the year by Abbeyfeale RFC after they recently defeated Tralee in the final of the West Munster League.