Referee dies during camogie match in Cork
Father of four Dominic Rooney collapsed during a game between Douglas and Brian Dillons in Douglas on Saturday afternoon.
Medical personnel treated him at the scene before he was transferred to Cork University Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A sergeant at the Defence Forces’ engineering corps at Collins Barracks, the Kildare native was involved with Carrigtwohill GAA club.
He is survived by his wife Margaret and sons David, Adam, Cillian, and Eoin.
Carrigtwohill GAA yesterday said it was postponing all of its club matches as a mark of respect to Mr Rooney.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to Margaret and the boys at this very sad time,” the club said.
Douglas Camogie Club also offered its condolences on the club Facebook page.
“Douglas Camogie offer our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and the extended GAA family of referee who passed away suddenly today. Our thoughts are with his family at this time,” the club said.
Tributes were also paid by both Cork Camogie and the Camogie Association.
The Camogie Association extends deepest sympathy to the family of Dominic Rooney RIP @official cork camogie @EastCorkGAA @Carrig2hillGAA
— The Camogie Association (@OfficialCamogie) October 2, 2016
“We send condolences to the family of one of our esteemed refs as it is with deep sadness that we have learned of his sudden passing,” Cork Camogie tweeted.
We send condolences to the family of one of our esteemed refs as it is with deep sadness that we have learned of his sudden passing today.
— OfficialCorkCamogie (@CorkCamogie) October 1, 2016
Other clubs also took to social media to pay their respects to Mr Rooney.
Mary Newman, secretary of the Glen Rovers Camogie club, said Mr Rooney was “one of nature’s gentlemen”.
“He was so nice when officiating and always looked after players so well,” said Ms Newman. “He had a saying if a player got injured — ‘Take yer time, the clock is stopped.’
“Today when the final whistle was blown and the clock stopped, our game [has] not just lost a referee but all camogie players, clubs and officials have lost a great friend,” she said.
