Donal, 16, did more to prevent suicide than any politician

Dónal Walsh, the inspirational Kerry teen who urged his peers to appreciate life as cancer drained his own away, has died.

Credited with doing more to prevent suicide among his peers than any politician and with inspiring Munster’s win over Harlequins in the Heineken Cup last April, the 16-year-old from Blennerville succumbed to the disease that first surfaced in his leg at age 12.

The youngster, who dropped out of school “to have more time for his life” spent his last years tirelessly fundraising for charity, helping to coach Tralee Rugby Club, and encouraging other youngsters not to take their own lives just as he fought to hang on to his.