GAA player dies of head injury

Leitrim senior footballer Phillip ‘Philly’ McGuinness has died after a freak accident during a football match at the weekend.

Mr McGuinness was knocked unconscious when he accidently collided with the knee of another footballer while playing a club match for Mohill versus Melvin Gaels on Saturday afternoon.

The 26-year-old engineer was taken first to Sligo General Hospital and then to Beaumont Hospital but he never regained consciousness. He died at 1pm today in the hospital surrounded by his family.

Hundreds of messages have already been put on his Facebook page. The message on his page read: “With great regret we can now confirm that Philly has passed to his eternal reward. When the long whistle blew he was in the arms of his loving family, surrounded by friends, team mates.

“His short life was defined by decency, honesty, an inspiring tenacity and gentle humility. To all who mourn Philly we send our sincere sympathies.”

A statement from Leitrim County Board noted with “great sadness and regret” that he had passed away.

“His death, as the result of an injury sustained in a club game at the weekend has left not only his family, his club and the people of Leitrim in deep shock but also the entire GAA community,” the statement read.

“‘Philly', as he was known was the ultimate team player, talented, dedicated and above all loyal. His death has had a profound effect in Leitrim GAA circles.”

The County Board expressed its condolences to Philly’s brother Michael Jr, who also plays for Leitrim; his other brother John; mother Phil and the extended McGuinness family throughout Ireland. His father Michael, a former Leitrim county footballer, has predeceased him.

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) this evening extended its deepest condolences to the family, friends and team-mates of Mr McGuinness.

GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell said: "On behalf of our members I would like to offer our sympathies to everyone associated with Philip, in particular his mother and brothers.

"During his tragically short life, Philip had already made a significant contribution to Gaelic games with his club Mohill and as a dual player for Leitrim. May he rest in peace."