Ireland

Donegal community 'stunned' at death of young GAA player (8)

Eight-year-old Donncha O'Hare of Moville, Co Donegal, who died at the weekend
Eight-year-old Donncha O'Hare of Moville, Co Donegal, who died at the weekend Eight-year-old Donncha O'Hare of Moville, Co Donegal, who died at the weekend

A Donegal GAA club has spoken of the community's sadness and loss following the death of a young player.

Eight-year-old Donncha O'Hare, a "hugely popular and loved" member of the Moville club, died at the weekend.

Donncha was the recipient of a kidney transplant in 2017 after a donation from his father Sean.

The youngster, who also played soccer at Greencastle FC, inspired kidney donor and GAA pundit Joe Brolly who was pictured with him the following year while promoting organ donation.

A Moville GAA club spokesperson said: "The awful news of the loss of Donncha O’Hare has stunned us all. Donncha was a hugely popular and loved member of our club, always on the move, always smiling and always with a real glint in his eye."

Speaking of Donncha's parents, the statement added: "The O’Hares and the Hegartys are part of the backbone of our club - giving endless time and energy to so many others over the years as players, as coaches and as administrators.

"Sean and Aoife have been there for all of us whenever they’ve been needed and now we will be there for them as friends, neighbours and clubmates in the times to come."