Tyrone GAA is in mourning following the death of Damian Casey, who has been described as the county's greatest ever hurler.
The Eoghan Ruadh Dungannon club-man passed away after a tragic swimming pool accident in Spain, where he had been attending a wedding as a grooms-man.
It really is a jarring insight into the brevity of life, when you consider that, as a hurler in the peak of his powers, Casey had inspired the Red Hand County to Nickey Rackard Cup glory in Croke Park less than a month ago. He scored 0-14 that day while, back in 2014, as a 21-year-old, he captained his county to the same title.
He has also represented his country, as a shinty player in 2018 and 2019 though he will be best remembered as the forward that made the Tyrone hurlers tick.
“Heartbreak and grief can come in many forms but are especially cruel when brought about by the sudden death of someone young, talented, outgoing and in the prime of life," said a Tyrone GAA statement.
“Accordingly, Gaelic Tyrone is totally shaken by the news of the tragic death of Damian Casey, a supreme hurler just now at the peak of his powers."
[caption id="attachment_264570" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
1 November 2019; Tyrone hurler Damian Casey is presented with his Champion 15 award by Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael John Horan, left, and GPA Chairman Seamus Hickey during the PwC All-Stars 2019 at the Convention Centre in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile[/caption]
“Damian Casey was a special gift to Tyrone and to hurling. We were the richer for his presence and are the poorer for his passing," it continued.
The GPA also paid tribute to the late hurler.
“Damian stood out as a person and leader. On the pitch he was a magician of rare skill. He was one of us. He was among the best of us.”
