Just as Kerry struggled to come to terms with the tragic deaths of two of its young sports stars in a car accident near Toomevara in Co Tipperary on Sunday morning, the county heard the news of the death of a 21-year-old Lauragh man who fell from a balcony while on holiday in Ibiza.
Mr Martin Beckett (18) and Mr Sean O'Connor (18), both from Woodlawn, Killarney, died in a head-on collision at Clonalee, about a mile outside Toomevara on the Nenagh side on Sunday morning.
They had been returning from a holiday in Ibiza. A third man who had been travelling in the same car, Mr Tadhg Kelly (19), of Aughacurren, Killarney, is in a stable condition in Nenagh General Hospital.
The accident also claimed the life of Mr Gerard Phelan (28), of Birk, Crosspatrick, who was the sole occupant of the second car involved in the accident.
Mr Beckett was a member of this year's victorious Kerry All-Ireland under-21 football team. He played with local GAA team, Dr Crokes, and had just begun training with the Kerry senior team panel.
Mr O'Connor, who this summer completed his Leaving Certificate, was also a well-known GAA player with rival club, Legion. Both young men were also members of Killarney Athletic Soccer Club and were well known in the town.
Dr Crokes' secretary, Mr John Keogh, said the town was devastated by the tragic deaths of the two popular youths, and that groups of young people had been gathering to share their grief. He said the club would give other players any support that was needed.
The Kerry team manager, Paudie O'Shea, confirmed that Mr Beckett had joined the senior team for a number of recent training sessions and had played in practice games.
He said he remembered him as very bubbly and joyful, and that he was one of a number of young lads whom it was hoped to bring along.
Mr Beckett was described as an equally talented soccer player who the morning after winning his All Ireland under-21 medal was among the first on the pitch to line out for a match involving Killarney Athletic.
The Legion club with which Mr O'Connor played is currently preparing for the county championship semi-final.
Mr Beckett's remains will be removed from O'Shea's Funeral Home in Killarney at 6.30 p.m. today. Requiem Mass will take place at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow in St Mary's Cathedral, with burial in Aghadoe Cemetery.
No details have been announced for Mr O'Connor's funeral. A large attendance is expected for both funerals.
Meanwhile, a man who was killed in Co Limerick on Sunday was named as Mr James Bridgeman (18), single, O'Malley Park, Southill, Limerick. He was driving a car that overturned and hit a ditch on the Hospital to Limerick Road near Herbertstown at 1.30 p.m. He was dead on admission to Limerick Regional Hospital.
Gardai at Bruff (061 382103) are seeking witnesses.