Tributes paid as rising GAA star (20) collapses and dies during training

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Tributes paid as rising GAA star (20) collapses and dies during training
By Luke Byrne

The parents of a young GAA star are devastated after their son -- an only child -- collapsed during training and died in a suspected case of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS).
Ciaran Carr (20), from Clondalkin, Co Dublin, died suddenly as he was training with his local RoundTowers GAA Club on Friday evening.
He was participating in an indoor circuit training session when he suddenly fell forward and collapsed.

Ciaran, a sports management student of Inchicore College, was talented at both hurling and football.

It was revealed this morning that an hour before he died, Ciaran had booked a venue for his 21st birthday in March. A minute’s silence was held yesterday at the Dublin vs Kildare O’Byrne Cup clash in Newbridge for Ciaran.

Tributes to the popular young man have poured in to the website of the club.

"Unbelievable, completely shocked by it all. You will be missed by everyone.

"Words can't express how everyone is feeling right now.

"One of the nicest people you could ever know, taken before his time," Rebecca Murphy posted.

Teammate and friend Alan Milton told the Irish Independentthat Ciaran's parents, Peter and Gemma, were devastated. They are being comforted by family and friends.

"They are being very brave. He was a happy-go-lucky man, he always went around with a smile on his face," Alan said.

"His passion was football and hurling, he joined Round Towers when he was about four years of age with a hurley in his hand. Ciaran was a great ambassador for the club and for his family."

Ciaran's family is very involved in the club and his father sometimes serves as a referee.

Autopsy results into the exact cause of Ciaran's death are due this evening -- however, it is likely that he died of sudden cardiac arrest. Funeral arrangements will be made later this week.

Ciaran is among a number of healthy sportsmen to have died from suspected cases of SADS.

In 2004, All-Ireland winning footballer Cormac McAnallen died suddenly. An awareness campaign was launched shortly after.

And earlier this month Jason Morley (37), a talented footballer from Co Mayo, was found dead at his home.

Irish Independent
Monday January 23 2012

[sliothar]

A Terrible Tragedy, our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time - RIP