GALWAY HURLING STAR Niall Donoghue died suddenly on Wednesday evening. He was 22.

Donoghue, from the Kilbeacanty club in south Galway, was part of the U21 team which won the All-Ireland title in 2011.

He later broke through onto the Tribesmen’s senior panel and played in the 2012 All-Ireland final defeat against Kilkenny.

He would have celebrated his 23rd birthday on Friday.

“Galway GAA is in shock this morning with the news of the tragic, and untimely, death of Niall Donoghue,” Galway CEO John Hynes said in a statement.

“On behalf of the entire Galway GAA Community, at home and abroad, we extend our heartfelt sympathy to Niall’s family and especially to his father Francis, brother Shane, sister Orla, uncles, aunts and all his relatives.

“We offer our deepest condolences also to all the members of Niall’s Club and Parish, Kilbeacanty, to his fellow inter-county panellists on the Galway Hurling Team and to his many friends and colleagues.

“Ar Dheis Lámh Dé, go raibh a Anam Uasal Dílís.”