Tributes have been paid to a Clare supporter who died at the Limerick versus Clare Munster Senior hurling match on Saturday night.
John Walsh (73) passed away shortly after throw-in in the North Stand at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. It is believed that the prominent GAA supporter suffered a heart attack.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed that officers attended a medical incident on the Ennis Road at around 7pm on Saturday night.
READ MORE: Ireland weather: Urgent ‘thunder hail’ warning before Met Eireann forecast takes dramatic turn
"A man, aged in his 70s, later passed away following the incident," said the Garda spokesperson.
Mr Walsh was seated in the Uncovered Stand. The tragic incident happened in the opening half.
Among those who offered assistance was Limerick hurling team medic Dr James Ryan.
A person, who was in close proximity to the medical emergency in the stadium, expressed their condolences to the man's family as well as praising emergency services for their response.
"Sympathies to the family of the poor man who passed away near us at the match this evening. Well done to the paramedics who worked on him. So sad. May he rest in peace," they said in a tweet.
Another person tweeted: "My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the person who passed away in the TUS Gaelic Grounds this evening. Someone who went to watch a match the same as myself but didn't make it home."
Limerick hurling supporters Facebook page also paid tribute. It said ‘’We would like to pass on our condolences to the family of the man who passed away this evening during the game in the Gaelic Grounds. We would like to thank all the staff and paramedics that worked tirelessly throughout this difficult event’’.
It is also believed that a second man suffered a seizure at the game but that he is recovering in hospital.
The game finished in a one-point win for Clare and represented All-Ireland Champions Limerick’s first defeat in Championship hurling in nearly four years.
READ NEXT:
- Dog escapes new owners and walks 64km back to old home that got rid of him
- First photos of ex-GSOC man who partied with Gerry Hutch as he makes desperate attempt to hide face
- Tributes to young student who died after getting into difficulty swimming in sea in Waterford
- Record €566,000 horse dies in transportation accident to Irish yard shortly after being purchased
- Covid Arcturus variant spreading in Ireland as cases triple and peculiar new symptom reported
Get news updates direct to your inbox by signing up to our daily newsletter here
