Well-known hurling referee Shane Hourigan was tragically killed in a car crash in Limerick this morning.
Hourigan, a member of the St. Mary’s Seán Finns club in Rathkeale, was involved in a two-car collision at Reens Pike in Limerick just before 7am this morning. He was removed to Limerick University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the other car was taken to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.
Hourigan, 40, had been a member of the National Hurling Referee’s panel for three years and had taken charge of some high-profile games in the last number of years, including the 2012 Connacht Intermediate and Munster Senior Club Finals and the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Final, Allianz League Division Two Final, Munster U21 Final and All-Ireland Minor semi-final last year.
Only yesterday, Hourigan refereed the AIB All Ireland Intermediate Club semi-final between Rower Inistioge of Kilkenny and Clooney Gaels of Antrim in Navan.
GAA President Liam O’Neill paid tribute to Hourigan on the official GAA website today in a statement that read: “It was with great regret that we learnt of the tragic loss of Shane this morning following a car accident. He was regarded as one of the Association’s most promising up and coming hurling referees and was highly respected by his peers.
“Our thoughts and prayers and those of the wider GAA membership are with his wife Marie, son Shane, mother Ellen, his immediate family and wide circle of friends at this sad time.”
Ar dheis Dé do raibh a anam.
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