ONE DIRECTION star Niall Horan has paid tribute to Galway hurler Niall Donoghue, who has died suddenly at the age of 22.
The Galway inter-county hurler, who played for Kilbeacanty, was due to celebrate his 23rd birthday tomorrow (October 25), but passed away last night - leaving friends, family and colleagues devastated.
Horan wrote on Twitter this morning: "Very sad news about niall donohue ! Thoughts with donohue family !"
Very sad news about niall donohue ! Thoughts with donohue family !
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) October 24, 2013
Niall O'Donogue was 22A host of other Irish sports stars have also begun to pay tribute to the hurler.
The Sports news seems very trivial & irrelevant today.
Sleep gently, Niall Donoghue.
RIP— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) October 24, 2013
Shocked to wake up to the very sad news of Niall donoghues passing..deepest sympathies to his family and friends
— Diarmuid O'Sullivan (@dsully3) October 24, 2013
Thoughts and prayers with the family and friends of Niall Donoghue. Unbelievably sad, great talent #RIPNiallDonoghue
— Lar Corbett (@larcorbett) October 24, 2013
Tragic news about young Galway star Niall O'Donoghue. Thoughts and prayers with the O'Donoghue family, friends & team mates. RIP
— Ronan Sweeney (@Roli100) October 23, 2013
Galway GAA said of the news in a statement: “Galway GAA is in shock with the news of the tragic, and untimely, death of Niall Donoghue.
“On behalf of the entire Galway GAA community, at home and abroad, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to Niall’s family and especially his father Francis, brother Shane, sister Orla, uncles, aunts, and all his relatives.”
They added: “We offer all our condolences also to the members of Niall’s club and parish, Kilbeacanty, to his fellow inter-county panellists on the Galway hurling team, and to his many friends and colleagues.”
