A popular GAA referee was killed in a car crash yesterday morning just hours after he had officiated at a televised All-Ireland final.
TP Pettit (32), acted as umpire for the meeting of Crossmaglen Rangers and Dr Crokes in the All-Ireland club final at Portlaoise on Sunday afternoon.
But he was killed early yesterday morning when his car went out of control and crashed into a tree near his home at Dromard, Co Longford. Mr Pettit was a single man who worked as a plasterer.
John Duggy, PRO for the Longford County Board and a close personal friend of Mr Pettit's, said: "We are all devastated by TP's death. He was extremely well-known in the area, and he was a great character.
"Just this year he got onto the inter-county refereeing panel for the first time. He was great fun, but he took his refereeing very seriously and was working his way up the ladder. He was an outstanding member of Dromard GAA club who put his heart and soul into everything he did."
It is understood Mr Pettit, who was also a noted amateur actor, had earlier helped staff in a local bar to clean up their premises after a busy night.
"TP was a very safe driver and there would be no way he was speeding," added Mr Duffy.
Mr Pettit's father died at a young age and his mother passed away in recent years. He is survived by his sisters Colette and Siobhán, and brothers Seán, Daniel and David.