Hurlers' tragic deaths cast pall over GAA community Galway's GAA community is reeling this week after the tragic deaths of two hugely talented hurlers in separate accidents. Tommie Larkins and Galway senior panelist Paul Flynn, a native of Drim, Kylebrack, was killed in the early hours of Sunday morning, when the car he was driving collided with a wall at Masonbrook, outside Loughrea. The 24 year old student Garda had been returning from Henry Street station in Limerick, where he was based, when the singe vehicle accident occurred. Earlier on Saturday evening, he had been working at the Magners League game between Munster and Glasgow at Thomond Park. Mr Flynn was a member of the Tommie Larkins side that won county intermediate titles in 2005 and 2007 and, indeed, was part of the Ballinakill/Woodford outfit which lost the All-Ireland intermediate club final to Clonkill of Westmeath at Croke Park earlier in February of this year. However, Paul's finest hour was, arguably, in the All-Ireland under 21 decider of 2005, when the trusted corner back helped Galway defeat a star studded Kilkenny side that included Eoin Reid, Richie Power and Eoin Larkin. That same year, he featured in the Galway Development Panel, or Maroon Stars, before subsequently lining out for the county intermediate side in 2006 and 2008. The reward for his persistence and effort was a call up to Ger Loughnane's senior panel this year. Reposed at Kilboys Funeral Home in Loughrea, thousands of mourners, including a plethora of inter county stars and members of An Garda Suíochána, turned out to pay their final respects on Tuesday evening. He was later removed to St. Josephs Church, Ballinakill, where the requiem mass was celebrated yesterday afternoon (Wednesday). Burial took place afterwards in Ballinakill cemetery. Mr Flynn is survived by his parents Gerry and Rosanne, brothers Alan, Michael and Jason, sisters Michelle and Lizzie, grandmother Gertie, nephew David, girlfriend Ciara, extended family and a long line of friends. Meanwhile, the people of Killimore and its surrounds are coming to terms with the tragic loss of one of their own very promising hurlers. Nineteen year old Shane Smyth of Mahenamore, Killimore, Ballinasloe, lost his battle for life on Monday, after sustaining a fall down a stairs in Limerick late last week. This is the second tragedy to hit the family in the past year, after Shane's aunt Bernadette Brien (nee Curley) died after a fatal car crash on Osgrove Bridge in June 2007. A student of Construction Studies at Limerick IT, Mr Smyth - a former Portumna CS and GMIT student - had represented Galway at under 16 level, and was part of the Killimore intermediate panel this year. He was reposed at his home yesterday (Wednesday evening) with the funeral mass to take place today (Thursday) in St. Josephs Church, Killimore (3pm). Burial afterwards is to take place at Killimore Cemetery. He is survived by his father Sean, mother Anne, brother Niall, sisters Aine and Shauna, extended family and many friends. Connacht Tribune 10/10/08 Tweet

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