Sudden deaths stun communities

The death of a 16-year-old schoolboy while playing a match yesterday brings to two the number of young people who died suddenly in Cork over the past few days.

Shane Murphy, from Clondrohid, Co Cork, was taking part in a schools match in Carrigadrohid when he collapsed on the pitch and later died. His death follows the tragic death at the weekend of 21-year-old Cork arts student Deirdre Lynch. The part-time model collapsed suddenly in front of diners while working at Eco’s Restaurant, in Douglas, Cork City, on Saturday.

Last night, the village of Clondrohid in West Cork was struggling to come to terms with the tragedy. Shane, who is survived by three brothers and one sister, was representing Coláiste Ghobnatan, Ballyvourney, in the Cork Vocational Schools county senior B football semi-final against Kinsale when he collapsed 10 minutes into the second half. He was on the pitch, but was not actively involved in play. The game was stopped and players were said to be traumatised.