THE FUNERAL has taken place of a GAA referee who collapsed during a hurling match last week and later died. Hundreds of mourners, including Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and members of the GAA from across Ireland, packed into the Church of St John in Swatragh, Co Derry, for the Requiem Mass and funeral of Martin Mulholland.
Mr Mulholland (59), a Slaughtneil clubman, collapsed while refereeing a Derry senior championship hurling game at Swatragh last Friday. First-aid workers treated him at the pitch side before taking him to nearby changing rooms, where a defibrillator was used.
The father of four died a short time later while en route to the Causeway Hospital in Coleraine.
A number of Derry referees and members of the Slaughtneil club formed a guard of honour as he was carried into the church.
Loudspeakers relayed the Mass to hundreds unable to gain entry.
Fr Kieran O’Doherty described the death of Mr Mulholland as a “great shock” to the community.
“Martin’s death has caused a great shock and sadness, not only to his family and friends but to the wider community,” he said. “The fact that Martin was refereeing a hurling match at the time . . . adds poignancy to his death.”
Describing Mr Mulholland as “first and foremost a family man” Fr O’Doherty spoke of his dedication to the GAA. He paid tribute to Mr Mulholland’s wife Eileen and their four sons for “understanding” for his commitment to the GAA and his community.
Mr Mulholland was buried in an adjoining cemetery.