The 23-year-old Wexford man who died several hours after playing in a local football match, was due to start a new job this morning.
Mr Noel Quill, Johnstown, Castlebridge, near Wexford town, had played with Shelmalier GAA Club in a junior football 'B' league game on Friday evening when he suddenly became 'dizzy' during the match.
Mr Quill, who came from a well-known sporting family, was replaced during the course of the game. According to onlookers, he had not received any injury. Though he had complained of feeling dizzy, a short time later he felt well and went home. However the following morning, when his parents went to waken him at 9.30, he was dead.
After returning home, Mr Quill lay on the couch before going to bed. When asked by his father how the game had gone, he replied: "I never enjoyed a game so much, even though I was taken off. I must go back playing again." Mr Quill had not been playing football for some time and Friday's match had been his return game.
It is believed that Mr Quill was well when he spoke to his brother Paidí at around 1.30 a.m. on Saturday. He had been due to act as groomsman at the wedding of his uncle, Mr Séamus Redmond, later that day. Earlier on Friday, he had bought a new car, and was to start a new job with Wexford County Council this morning.
Mr Quill's father, Pat, is a former president of the National Ladies' Football Association, and has held several positions within the association in the county, as well as having trained Wexford ladies' football teams. His mother, Liz, is also active in ladies football in the county.
Mr Quill also leaves two sisters, Maeve and Lisa.
The results of a post-mortem, carried out at Waterford Regional Hospital, are expected soon. Friends have likened Mr Quill's sudden death to that of the Armagh All-Star defender, Cormac McAnallen, earlier this year.
A neighbour said: "It's a tragedy for the family. I don't know what to say - they were such a great family. They had done so much for so many through their involvement in Gaelic games."
Hundreds gathered in the village of Castlebridge yesterday evening as Mr Quill's remains were removed from his home to the local parish church. The funeral takes place this morning.