Sportswriter dies after 5-a-side game

Tributes are being paid to a sportswriter who died after he collapsed playing indoor football on Thursday. Carl O’Malley, 37, had became a father for the third time only last week.

He was a sportswriter with the Irish Times, where he had worked since 2000.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) held a minute’s silence yesterday morning at the launch of the new SSE Airtricity League season at the Aviva Stadium in memory of Mr O’Malley.

The event was attended by players and managers in the League of Ireland, as well as many of Mr O’Malley’s colleagues and friends in the media.

Mr O’Malley had penned stories about soccer, rugby, golf, GAA, and other sports both in print and online, and also worked on online breaking news, and wrote sports blogs.

He initially worked for the newspaper as a freelance, before being appointed a member of staff.

Mr O’Malley, who had lived with his family in south Dublin, was a regular in the press box at the Aviva where yesterday’s launch was overshadowed by news of his sudden death.

According to the Irish Times website, Mr O’Malley took ill during a five-a-side soccer game and was taken by ambulance to St Vincent’s Hospital, where he passed away.

Described by the newspaper as one of the country’s first online sports journalists, Mr O’Malley was on paternity leave this week following the birth of his third child, Leo, just a few days ago.

He leaves behind his wife, Moira, and their other young children, Charlie and Arwen.

Irish Times sports editor Malachy Logan said of Mr O’Malley: “An outstanding colleague, his loss is such a shock.

“He will be so badly missed by everyone in the paper.”

Mr O’Malley’s removal will take place on Tuesday next to the Church of the Holy Spirit, Kimmage Manor, Whitehall Road (East), for funeral Mass at 10am, followed by cremation in Mount Jerome.