An 18 year-old GAA star and international basketballer, who was tragically killed in a road accident in Westmeath yesterday, was "a cult hero among young people".
Student Darren Price from Mullingar played for Westmeath minor football team just last weekend, and two years ago was honoured with a place on the Irish schools' basketball team.
Price was killed when his car collided with a truck just before 9am outside the town of Tyrellspass, on the main Galway-Dublin road. He was the only occupant of his car, and the lorry driver escaped uninjured.
"Darren was a cult hero among young people in our area. He had already represented our club The Downs at senior level, as well as being a Westmeath minor player for two years in a row," said GAA official Patrick Doherty.
"I coached him when he was an under 10, and he was always a lovely fellow. People his own age, and younger, looked up to him - he brought people with him. He was the kind of fellow who would stick out his chest and be proud. He was the leader of the gang, so to speak, among people his own age. He was a very positive influence."
Tragedy struck when Price was on his way to Athlone IT where he was a first year Civil Engineering student, and last night friends, team-mates, and relatives were consoling his heart-broken parents Adrian and Donna, brother Mark (19), Adam (15), and sister Hazel (11.)
Last Saturday, Price lined out at right corner-back on the Westmeath team which defeated Kilkenny in the Leinster minor football championship, and he was busy preparing for the remainder of the Leinster championsip.
A minute's silence will be observed at GAA matches in Westmeath over the weekend, and county GAA chairman Seamus Whelan said: "GAA people in the county are in deep mourning. Our hearts go out to the Price family, to The Downs club, and to the members of the Westmeath minor team where Darren was a valued colleague. He played hurling and football to a very high standard.
"It is chilling to think that a young man like this, who clearly had a great sporting career ahead of him, can be taken in such a way," added Whelan. As a mark of respect, Westmeath Supporters' Club and Football Board cancelled two functions due to take place last night.