The death has taken place of former Galway hurling star Finbarr Gantley.

The diminutive forward from Beagh came on as a substitute in Galway's historic All-Ireland final victory over Limerick in 1980 after returning from London where he won six SHC medals with St Gabriel's. Finbarr had earlier lined out for both Sean McDermotts and Warwickshire after moving to Birmingham in his late teens to work in construction.

His sons Finbarr Jnr and Rory also hurled for the Tribesmen in the 1990s and 2000s.

Beagh Hurling Club paid the following tribute to Finbarr on Facebook: "He was the most recognisable face in our club, a man we all loved to talk to and a man we could never get away from once we did!

"Finbarr was a star on the field to us all and more importantly, a star off it to his family and anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was and remains a stalwart of our club and an inspiration to so many.

"Finbarr wore the Beagh jersey with pride and represented the club with honour and prestige be it in the black and amber, the maroon and white of Galway or with St Gabriels over in London. He set the bar for those who came after him for how to represent our jersey and that legacy will carry on into the future.

"Rest in Peace Finbarr, you’ll be missed by so many. Ar dheis Dé do raibh a anam Beithe le Cheile."

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