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I think football has benefitted from a lot of the recent rule changes. The games are more free flowing, high scoring and watchable.

What changes would be useful in hurling?
- The hooter would be good.
- Maybe keep 4 up in the opposition half too?
- Get rid of short puck outs.

Tap and go frees and 2 pointers aren't needed in hurling though.

If you missed this last night I'd highly recommend catching up with on RTE Player.
I was familiar enough with the history of it, but this programme really added to it.
Superb viewing.

https://www.rte.ie/player/movie/bloody-sunday-1920/162915880185

Tipp by 5!

Some of the greatest hurlers never to win an All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship medal will have their contributions to the game acknowledged on All-Ireland finals day at Croke Park on Sunday week (September .

The GAA have today announced their 'Hurling Stars of the 1980s', a specially-chosen line-up of 'unsung heroes' and 'county legends' whose names were put forward by an experienced panel of All-Star and former All-Star selectors who covered Gaelic games for the print and broadcast media during the '80s.

The late Tommy Quaid from Limerick, who sadly passed away in 1998, is the chosen goalkeeper with Antrim's Dessie Donnelly and Terence 'Sambo' McNaughton manning defensive berths alongside Clare duo Ger Loughnane and Sean Stack, who are sure to get a rousing reception from the Banner supporters when they are introduced to the crowd.

Waterford's Mossy Walsh and Pat Critchley, the only All-Star hurler produced by Laois, are the midfield pairing to the honoured, while John Callinan, another Clare man, joins Martin Quigley (Wexford) and Irish hurdles champion Paddy Kelly (Limerick) in the half-forward line.

Former Railway Cup winners David Kilcoyne and PJ Cuddy, the former being Westmeath's only All-Star, have been picked in the full-forward line along with Waterford's Jim Greene who was an All-Star winner himself back in 1982.

Commenting on the project, GAA President Liam O'Neill said: "We were presented with a rare opportunity to temporarily replace the Jubilee teams in both codes because of the back-to-back successes of both Galway (hurling) and Meath (football) in 1987-88.

"Legions of top quality players grace Croke Park with their skills but not all are rewarded for their efforts with All-Ireland medals. This should in no way diminish their contribution to the GAA and to the game of hurling.

"For people like me who followed the game of hurling over the course of the 1980s the mention of those who have been chosen on this team evokes great memories and I laud each and everyone of them for the great moments they gave us and the legacy they left behind in their clubs and counties and indeed beyond."

GAA HURLING STARS OF THE 1980S TEAM:

1. TOMMY QUAID (Limerick/Feoghenagh, RIP): Limerick's first-choice goalkeeper from 1976 to 1993, playing in four Munster finals and the All-Ireland final of 1980. Won Railway Cup and National League medals and an All-Star award in 1992.

2. JOHN GALVIN (Waterford/Portlaw): His career lasted 14 years from 1972 with Waterford and he also represented Ireland in Shinty. Was the county's first All-Star award winner in 1974 and won a second award in 1982.

3. LEONARD ENRIGHT (Limerick/Patrickswell): One of the outstanding full-backs of his generation, he was sub goalkeeper when Limerick won the 1971 National League title. Also excelled in other sports, including athletics. All-Star awards in 1980, 1981 and 1983.

4. DESSIE DONNELLY (Antrim/Ballycastle): Selected on the Antrim Team of the Century. Played in the 1980 All-Ireland club final and the All-Ireland SHC final of 1989 - when he won an All-Star.

5. GER LOUGHNANE (Clare/Feakle): The inspiration behind Clare's resurgence in the nineties and Galway manager from 2006 to 2008. He won National League and Railway Cup medals and was twice an All-Star in 1974 (Clare's first) and 1977.

6. SEÁN STACK (Clare/Sixmilebridge): Widely recognised as one of the outstanding centre-backs of his generation, he won two National League medals with Clare and played on two Railway Cup-winning teams in 1984 and 1985. Won an All-Star award in 1981.

7. TERENCE McNAUGHTON (Antrim/Cushendall): The man affectionately known as 'Sambo' operated both in attack and defence over a lengthy career, lining out at corner forward in the 1989 All-Ireland final. Won an All-Star award in 1991 and more recently was joint-manager of the Antrim senior team.

8. MOSSY WALSH (Waterford/Ballyduff): Distinguished himself at midfield all through the eighties, especially in the Munster finals of 1982 and 1983. Was an All-Star winner in 1980 and a year later won a Railway Cup medal at wing forward.

9. PAT CRITCHLEY (Laois/Portlaoise): A dual player who also played basketball at a high level, he was selected on the Laois Hurling Team of the Millennium. Won an All-Ireland club football medal in 1980 and is the only Laois hurler to win an All-Star (1985).

10. JOHN CALLINAN (Clare/Clarecastle): Played Railway Cup with Munster and the Combined Universities and won a fourth medal in 1985. Was on Clare's National League winning teams of 1977 and 1978 and won All-Stars in 1979 and 1981.

11. MARTIN QUIGLEY (Wexford/Rathnure): Member of the last Wexford team to win the All-Ireland minor title (1968). In 1973, he won a National League medal and the first of four consecutive All-Star awards. Played on four winning Leinster teams.

12. PADDY KELLY (Limerick/Kilmallock): A national hurdles champion, he earned a reputation as a speedy and stylish hurler with Limerick all through the eighties. Won an All-Star in 1984, he was on the losing Munster team in the Railway Cup final of 1986.

13. DAVID KILCOYNE (Westmeath/Ringtown): One of the 'greats' of Westmeath hurling. A Railway Cup and All-Ireland 'B' medal winner, he won the county's only All-Star in 1988 and last year received a Leinster 'Hall of Fame' award.

14. PJ CUDDY (Laois/Camross): A prolific scorer over the course of a lengthy career. Played in the 1977 All-Ireland club final and named on the Laois Team of the Millennium. Won a Railway Cup medal in his fourth final in 1988.

15. JIM GREENE (Waterford/Mount Sion): An All-Star winner in 1982, he won the last of eight county Championship medals in 1988 in the company of his son Brian. Manager when the Déise last contested the All-Ireland minor final in 1992.

Selection Panel - Martin Breheny (Irish Independent), Brian Carthy (RTÉ Radio), Michael Lyster (RTÉ Television), Seán Moran (Irish Times), Mártan Ó Ciardha (formerly Raidió na Gaeltachta) and Jim O'Sullivan (formerly Irish Examiner).

Some result for the scallions.

Kilkenny hurling manager Brian Cody underwent pre-planned cardiac surgery yesterday and is currently recovering in hospital. He is reported to be in good form but will be taking a break from team affairs for a number of weeks.

In his absence Martin Fogarty and Michael Dempsey will be taking charge of the senior hurling panel. The Kilkenny county board issued a press release last night asking that the Cody family be afforded privacy for the duration of his recovery and said they will not be releasing any further statements on the matter.

Cody is expected to be absent from team affairs for at least six weeks, and will miss the remainder of his side's league campaign. Kilkenny's first championship outing will be on June 9th, in the Leinster SHC quarter-final against Offaly.

Cody has been manager of the Kilkenny senior hurlers since 1999, and in 14 seasons has claimed nine All-Ireland titles and 12 Leinster titles.

The provisional fixture list for the 2013 Allianz Hurling League has been released.

Venues, times and dates for all games are subject to change.

ALLIANZ NATIONAL HURLING LEAGUE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23 (7.0 unless stated)
Div 1A: Cork v Tipperary.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24 (2.0 unless stated)
Div 1A: Clare v Waterford, Galway v Kilkenny.
Div 1B: Carlow v Wexford, Dublin v Offaly, Limerick v Antrim.
Div 2A: Kerry v Westmeath, Derry v Wicklow, Kildare v Laois.
Div 2B: Down v Meath, Mayo v Roscommon, Armagh v London.
Div 3A: Fermanagh v Tyrone, Donegal v Monaghan, Fingal v Louth.

SATURDAY, MARCH 9 (7.0 unless stated)
Div 1A: Tipperary v Kilkenny
Div 2B: London v Down (2.0).

SUNDAY, MARCH 10 (2.0 unless stated)
Div 1A: Waterford v Cork, Clare v Galway (2.30).
Div 1B: Antrim v Dublin, Offaly v Wexford, Limerick v Carlow (2.30).
Div 2A: Wicklow v Kildare (1.0), Westmeath v Derry (1.0), Laois v Kerry.
Div 2B: Roscommon v Armagh (1.0), Meath v Mayo.
Div 3A: Louth v Fermanagh (1.0), Tyrone v Donegal (1.0), Monaghan v Fingal.
Div 3B: Leitrim v Longford (1.0), Warwickshire v Sligo.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16
Div 1B: Wexford v Antrim (2.0), Dublin v Limerick (5.15).
Div 2A: Derry v Kildare (5.30).
Div 2B: Down v Roscommon (2.0), Mayo v Armagh (5.30), Meath v London (5.30).
Div 3A: Fermanagh v Donegal (2.0), Tyrone v Fingal (5.15).

MONDAY, MARCH 18 (2.0 unless stated).
Div 1A: Cork v Clare, Kilkenny v Waterford, Galway v Tipperary.
Div 1B: Carlow v Offaly.
Div 2A: Kerry v Wicklow, Westmeath v Laois.
Div 3A: Louth v Monaghan.

SUNDAY, MARCH 24 (2.0 unless stated)
Div 1A: Clare v Kilkenny, Galway v Cork (2.30), Waterford v Tipperary (2.30).
Div 1B: Carlow v Antrim (1.0), Wexford v Dublin, Offaly v Limerick.
Div 2A: Kildare v Kerry (1.0), Wicklow v Westmeath (1.0), Derry v Laois.
Div 2B: Roscommon v Meath (1.0), Mayo v London (1.0), Armagh v Down.
Div 3A: Fingal v Fermanagh, Monaghan v Tyrone, Donegal v Louth.
Div 3B: Longford v Warwickshire (1.0), Sligo v Leitrim.

SUNDAY, MARCH 31 (3.0 unless stated).
Div 1A: Tipperary v Clare, Kilkenny v Cork, Waterford v Galway.
Div 1B: Antrim v Offaly, Limerick v Wexford, Dublin v Carlow.
Div 2A: Laois v Wicklow, Westmeath v Kildare, Kerry v Derry.
Div 2B: London v Roscommon, Meath v Armagh, Down v Mayo.
Div 3A: Donegal v Fingal, Fermanagh v Monaghan, Tyrone v Louth.
Div 3B: Warwickshire v Leitrim, Longford v Sligo.

Ryan quits Tipperary hurling job

Saturday, September 01, 2012 - 07:37 PM

Tipperary Senior hurling manager, Declan Ryan, has left his post.

Coach, Tommy Dunne and selector, Michael Gleeson have also stepped down from their posts.

The Tipperary County Board and the Tipperary senior hurling panel have thanked the trio for leading Tipperary to two Munster senior hurling championship successes and "their dedication and commitment in carrying out their roles during the last 2 years".

The board's statement said: "All three men have made a great contribution to the GAA in Tipperary over a long number of years and we are fortunate that men of their calibre have been willing to serve the county so generously and so loyally.

"We acknowledge the time, effort and many personal sacrifices they and their families have made in the interests of Tipperary's senior hurling fortunes and we firmly believe that their good work will lead to continued success for the county."

The board went on to wish the trio and their families well and said they looked forward to their "continued involvement with and contribution to the GAA in Tipperary".

County Chairman, Sean Nugent, will lead the search for a replacement team.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/ryan-quits-tipperary-hurling-job-565325.html

Polish waitress packs in job for 'good life' on Irish welfare

A POLISH waitress living here has sparked fury after she boasted about living the good life on Irish welfare benefits. 'Magda' (36), not her real name, described her life on the dole in Donegal as a 'Hawaiian massage'.

She revealed how she had packed in her job so she could spend her days walking along beaches with her partner.

He in turn bragged about the county's wonderful golf courses.

Magda claimed she earned €67 more a week on the dole than she did while working and that her welfare payments are €182 more every week than back in her native Poland.

The shocking boasts in a Polish newspaper have ignited another debate on welfare tourism, with one Labour senator last night offering to pay for her flight home.

The ex-waitress told the Polish newspaper 'Gazeta Wyborcza' that instead of working she takes advantage of free education courses and goes surfing.

"How do I live? Wonderfully. I get an allowance of €188 a week plus €59 for the flat. In the winter I get an extra €20 for fuel. It's €267 a week," she said.

Magda doesn't identify the town in Co Donegal where she lives but she does call it a "s***hole".

Asked to describe her lifestyle, she went on: "The day starts in the same way. I go to the beach to watch the sunrise. It energises me for the rest for the day.

"Sometimes I sleep till noon and the nearest beach is five minutes away.

"What's our house like? Well, you can hear the ocean from the windows," she added.

Her partner Robert also bragged about life on the dole in Ireland, saying: "I won't get out of bed for €8 an hour especially when I have the sound of the ocean, golf courses and beautiful scenery."

Welfare

The Polish newspaper article compares Madga's life on benefits with what she would earn working as a waitress in Poland, where the average weekly wage is just €85.

Dole payments in Poland are less than in Ireland, averaging just €36.50 a week.

There is no housing benefit and there are strict time limits on social welfare payments.

Welfare claimants can only claim for three months if they quit a job and six months if they are fired, said the report.

Instead of working Madga said she spent her time at a local surf school and learned how to do sign language at the local VEC college.

She also noted the 'generous' winter fuel payments of €20 a week which compared with no such payments in Poland, where temperatures yesterday dipped to -13C.

Last night a Labour senator based in Donegal said the claims were 'outrageous'.

Senator Jimmy Harte told the Irish Independent: "This woman is doing an enormous disservice to the Polish community in Co Donegal and to other hard-working non-nationals.

"She has clearly taken advantage of Irish hospitality. I would like to see her go back to Poland and if we can find out who she is, I'd gladly pay for her flight home."

He added: "Apart from her clear intent to take advantage of our social welfare system, to describe her home as a s***hole just adds insult to injury."

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/polish-waitress-packs-in-job-for-good-life-on-irish-welfare-3005781.html

Am I completely mad in giving Waterford a chance here?
Kilkenny haven't done much hurling lately and are in decline.
At least Waterford had their wake up call in the Munster final.

He is making a comeback for the for the junior team of Young Irelands.
That probably means there are now only 14 All Star awards up for grabs this year. 

Does anyone have one of these and how do they find them to use?
I have looked on Amazon and it seems I have to buy it in from the USA, but then buy the books off amazon.co.uk
With all the postage charges and import tax, it starts to become expensive.

Is there a cheaper way of acquiring one?

US soldiers take hurling into 30 million homes

Apparently American soldiers going through Shannon have been watching hurling on tv and have decided to start playing.
Kieran 'Fraggy' Murphy from Cork has been advising them.

http://www.gaelicsportscast.com/2010/12/30/179-us-soldiers-take-hurling-into-30-million-homes/

This made me laugh...


Cyril Farrell (Irish:Cyril Ó Fearghail) (born 1950) is a former Irish sportsperson. He was the manager of the Galway senior hurling team in the 1980s and 1990s. He comes from the Tommy Larkins hurling club in Woodford/Ballinakill. He regularly appears a hurling pundit on RTÉ's The Sunday Game.

Managerial career: Look Ger, Cyril Farrell'd be seen as one of the best hurling managers of the modern era. From an early age he would have had a great interest in the coaching side of the game as such, like he was there training the Galway minors and he only a young fella at twenty-three, a real case of Mozart in the fireplace. You can see there, young Farrell'd be at this kind of thing for years. no surprise then and he winning anUnder 21 All-Ireland with Galway in 1978. Two years later then and BANG! Galway has it's first senior All-Ireland since 1923. What more do you want Ger, but sure he was after opening the floodgates of the Yangtze as such, and two more senior All-Ireland victories as well as two National Hurling League titles between 1985 and 1990 was like throwing nuts to a monkey for young Farrell. Thats championship for you Ger.

Punditry
Young Farrell then comes onto The Sunday Game, a real Cinderella under the the christmas tree moment for Michael Lyster and the boys, Cyril's there though and he knows this, he knows Offaly have a good underage team that's coming through, Tomás Mulcahy's agitated, kind of dancing around the flames, coming out with the same old line about Munster hurling. Ball thrown in, full forward bats the ball down, lovely flick BANG! back of the net. Cork are having a bit of run like, Offaly, always the bridesmaids, never the brides as such Ger, but watch here, direct ball from the centre-half back, goalie doesn't deal with it, BANG, goal, game on now Ger, it's in the melting pot. Look, Offaly have been at this comeback gig for years, Cork won't be happy, but that's championship for you. As such.

Tipperary Home of Hurling- Erin's Own

Tipperary Home of Hurling performed and written  by Erin's Own- who comprise of Tipp Men, Brian Corrigan, Willie Dunne, Dave Lawlor and Ger Hogan

Released to celebrate Tipperary's challenge for the All Ireland Title and to inspire the county to triumph over Kilkenny's five in a row challenge the song tells the story of Hurling in Tipperary. Tom Semple, Jimmy Doyle and man of the other Tipperary Legends are acknowledged in the song.

Erin's Own are just back from an extensive tour of the USA.

You tube link

http://www.youtube.com/user/premierview#p/a/u/0/h50zOmJx-FE

Tipperary, The Home of Hurling  Words and Arrangement Erin's Own

Chorus

Tipperary, the premier county. We're on the way back up.
Tipperary, the home of hurling, we'll bring back the McCarthy cup

I

Well I often heard my father speak of the hurling men of old,
Their legend lives to this very today, and they wore the blue and gold.

He told me of Tubberadora, that glorious golden mile,
Where 89 All Ireland Medals were won with bravery and style.

Chorus

II

He'd talk of Thomas Semple, a great hurler of renown,
Who lent his name to that Hallowed sod in dear old Thurles town.

Of Hell's Kitchens Storied back line, men of Iron born to spoil,
And of our counties greatest hurler, the brilliant Jimmy Doyle.

Chorus

III

I remember that half forward line of Cleary, Leahy, Ryan,
And Nicky's haul on All Ireland day, still the greatest of all time.

And Tommy Dunne in zero one, he led a mighty team,
Each time O'Leary got that ball, he shattered Galway's team.

Chorus

IV

From Cashel's holy towers, to the slopes of Sliabh na mBán,
From the sandy shores of old Lough Derg, to the homes around Kilruane.

From Kickham's fabled Knocknagow, to the Galtee mountain's might,
Our Hurlers have come willing and are ready now to fight.

Chorus

V

So now it's time to rise again and take McCarthy back,
With 15 fearless warriors, to lead a fierce attack.

Liam Sheedy and his band of men will keep our dream alive,
We'll send Kilkenny packing and we'll halt their drive for five.

Chorus

Oh Tipperary the premier county, we're on the way back up,
Tipperary the home of hurling, we'll bring back the McCarthy Cup.

Tipperary the premier county, with that sacred sod and clay,
Tipperary the home of hurling, home to the GAA.

Oh Tipperary the premier county, we're on the way back up,
Tipperary the home of hurling, we'll bring back the McCarthy Cup

I've ordered the teams as they appear on Paddy Power's betting book.

[Bonnar wants two teams to be promoted]

Surely Wexford should have raised this matter at Congress last year?
A bit late complaining when they realise they could be edged out again.

Bonnar wants two teams to be promoted

NHL DIVISION TWO: WEXFORD MANAGER Colm Bonnar has urged the GAA to revisit the hurling league structures to allow two teams in each division be promoted or relegated at the end of each season.

As things stand, Wexford and Clare are headed towards the Division Two final on May 2nd - where only the winners will be promoted to Division One for 2011.

This, argued Bonnar, is unfair on several counts, but particularly given the fact that two teams are promoted and two relegated from the various league divisions in football.

"First of all, I think the top team should go up automatically," commented Bonnar. "It's a league after all, based over seven results. We topped the division last year, and got beaten by Offaly in the Division Two final, and paid a heavy, heavy price for that, staying down in Division Two for another year.

"But, ideally, both teams should go up, as in the top two teams. They do it in football and I don't see why they don't do it in hurling. Two teams would be fairer, in that the reward for coming first and second should be a place in the higher division."

Bonnar checked his comments by pointing out that Wexford weren't yet certain of their place in the Division Two final. In other words, the structures should be changed no matter who ends up in the final contention.

Clare are assured of their place in the final, as they currently top the group on 11 points, but only in a fortnight's time will the question of who joins them be answered.

Wexford did put one foot into the final by beating Laois on Sunday, and have nine points, but they'll still need to beat Antrim in the last round on Sunday week to put the second foot in.

Against all predictions, Division Two hurling has been hugely competitive, and Laois can still make the final, too, if they beat Carlow (and Wexford lose); and Carlow can make it if they beat Laois (and Wexford do no better than a draw against Antrim).

Wexford's fate is at least in their own hands - but even if they do make the final, Clare, who are unbeaten this season, would be slightly more fancied for promotion. Last year, Wexford narrowly lost out to Offaly in the division two final, despite beating them in the earlier rounds, and were thus resigned to another season in Division Two.

Given all that, Bonnar's anxiety at getting back into Division One hurling is understandable. "I think the GAA seriously need to look at this," he added, "and let two teams up into Division One. That's my own opinion anyway, but there is huge pressure to get back up there. Especially in a county like Wexford.

"No disrespect to any of the counties we've been playing in Division Two, but Wexford want to be playing Tipperary and Waterford and Kilkenny and those kind of teams. I know the same interest isn't there to watch say the likes of Kildare coming to Wexford Park."

Wexford do have home advantage against Antrim on Sunday week, but in fact lost out to them last year in an earlier round.

If they only draw, and Carlow beat Laois, Carlow will take the other place in the Division Two final on the basis that they beat Wexford in the earlier rounds.

"If we win, we're in," surmised Bonnar. "Even though we were turned over by Carlow, we knew the last two games would be huge, against Laois, and Antrim.

"We've beaten Laois now so it comes down to the Antrim game. It's in our own hands now, and that's what we wanted."

What are the best prices people have found so far on the final?

Cashmans have Tipp 10/3 (70 mins)
Paddy Power have Kilkenny at 4/9 (70 mins)

Which gives a book of 92.3% if you exclude a draw.
An All Ireland hurling final hasn't finished i a draw in 50 years.

Any better odds?

Croke Park protest begins

Croke Park residents are protesting outside Croke Park this morning over what residents say is contempt shown by Dublin City Council, the GAA and concert promoter MCD.

Residents are angered that the works are taking place continuously over 44 hours to dismantle the stage and lay a new pitch in a bid to ready the stadium for the All-Ireland football quarter-finals next weekend.

The second of three protests began at 7am today, with pedestrians meeting at Jones' Road.

AA Roadwatch said the demonstration, which is also affecting the Nally Square and St Joseph's Ave (off Clonliffe Rd) is not causing any disruption to traffic.

The first protest was due to take place at 1am today, and a third demonstration for both pedestrians and vehicles will begin at 6pm today on Clonliffe Road.

"All residents are invited to come out and show solidarity in defending our community against the decision of Dublin City Council to allow these anti-social working hours and at the disrespect and contempt shown to the residents by Croke Park and the concert promoters MCD," the group said in a statement.

Patrick Gates, chairman of the Croke Park Area Residents' Alliance, said the dismantling works being carried out over two nights were the "salt in the wound" to follow the massive disruption caused by the three concerts.

Mr Gates said that while residents were not against concerts, they did not see why three had to be staged in the time allocated under the licence. Holding just two concerts would have allowed the stage dismantling to take place in normal working hours.

Croke Park management has asked residents not to disrupt the dismantling work, and says it recognises the need for a "serious rethink" of the staging of future big events at the venue.

Parishes mourn couple killed in US

The grief-stricken relatives of an Irish couple killed in a car crash in the US were tonight making plans to bring their bodies home.

Two parishes in Kerry and Galway were plunged into mourning when Joe and Ann O'Connell died in a collision which left their three children orphaned.

The couple, who emigrated to the US a number of years ago, were travelling with their youngsters to the US west coast for a holiday when the crash happened in Iowa.

Their three children, aged 10, 13, and 16, were injured when the vehicle flipped over, rolling at least twice before landing back on its wheels.

It is understood their 16-year-old daughter was driving just months after getting her learner's permit.

Mr O'Connell (50) originally from Causeway in Co Kerry, was a former All Ireland medal winning Kerry hurler.

His elderly mother Mae, a widow, is being comforted by her other son William.

Meanwhile, his wife's family are due to travel from their home in Abbeyknockmoy, Co Galway, to the US to make arrangements to take their bodies home.

Fr Brendan Walsh, Causeway Parish Priest, said it was still not known when the remains will be flown back to Ireland.

"The family are devastated," said Fr Walsh.

"There has been a steady stream of people coming through offering their prayers and support." Mrs O'Connell, nee Coleman, was also a well-known former Galway camogie player and her family had strong links with the GAA.

The 44-year-old had won a Junior Title with the Galway Camogie team in 1988 and also played with Castlegar, St Coleman's in Gort, Athenry and Glen Rovers in Cork.

A member of a well known sporting family, her brother Michael won All Ireland hurling titles with Galway in the '80s while another sibling Mattie had a distinguished career with Galway footballers.

Abbeyknockmoy Parish Priest Fr Joseph O'Brien said the whole community is devastated by the tragic news of Mrs O'Connell's death.

"She was a very well known girl and this is very sad for all the family and everyone she knew," said Fr O'Brien.

"She is from a large family family which is involved in every aspect of life around here.

"They are getting great support from each other and the community." The Department of Foreign Affairs is giving consular assistance to the couple's families.