'He left us doing what he loved most in the world' - GAA club pays tribute to player who died after training session
The GAA community is in shock following the sudden death of a Westmeath hurler following a training session with his club Castlepollard on Tuesday evening.
A spokesperson for Westmeath GAA told Independent.ie that Donal Devine took ill immediately after a training session and sadly passed away.
40-year-old Devine has won four senior county championships with his club (1995, 1997, 2003 and 2005) and played at inter-county level for Westmeath.
A statement released on the Castlepollard hurling club Facebook page read: "Last night a light went out in Castlepollard Hurling Club. Club man, Hurling man, Family man and Friend, Donal Devine left us doing what he loved most in the world, playing hurling with his beloved club.
"Castlepollard Hurling Club would like to wish all Donal's family our gravest condolences in this dark time. A veteran of 4 senior championship victories and countless underage victories Donal brings an impressive haul of silverware with him to the great hurling team in the sky. Ar Dheis De go raibh a hanam. Castlepollard Hurling Club."
His brother, Alfie, is an inter-county referee while his nephew Alan plays for the Westmeath senior team.
Condolences to the Devine family, his wife and family and all at Castlepollard Hurling on the sudden passing of Donal last night. RIP Duck
— Delvin GAA Club (@DelvinGaa) February 15, 2017
RIP Donal Devine.
— Conor McKenna (@conormckenna98) February 15, 2017
Great Hurler winning 4 County titles with Castlepollard.
May he rest in peace.
We extend our sympathy to the Devine family, Castlepollard on the sudden death of player Donal during a training session last night. RIP.
— Kilbeggan Shamrocks (@KShamrocks) February 15, 2017
Westmeath GAA is today mourning the loss of Donal Devine Castlepollard who sadly passed away last night. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
— westmeathgaaofficial (@westmeath_gaa) February 15, 2017
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