Referee dies during NI match

A Gaelic Athletic Association referee has collapsed and died during a game in Northern Ireland.

A Gaelic Athletic Association referee has collapsed and died during a game in Northern Ireland.

Martin Mulholland, aged in his early 50s, was in charge of a hurling match in Swatragh, Co Derry. A defibrillator was used but he was pronounced dead, an Ulster GAA spokesman said.

“He was well respected and had refereed at many levels,” he added.

Mr Mulholland, from Maghera, Co Derry, was overseeing a fixture between Kevin Lynch’s and Ballinascreen hurling clubs.

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Paramedics treated him on the pitch and then brought him to the changing rooms where the defibrillator was used. He was later taken to Coleraine hospital.

Around 700 to 800 people were at the game.

On Sunday, a defibrillator was used to resuscitate GAA referee Gabriel Tumelty after he collapsed on the pitch during a match between Burren and Longstone in Newry, Co Down.

The 46-year-old was taken to Daisy Hill Hospital for treatment.

Last month, Chris McNeill (17) collapsed during a Milk Cup football game in Portstewart.

He was revived with a defibrillator by a doctor whose son was playing in the game, and members of the St John Ambulance.

The teenager was taken to Coleraine Hospital and later underwent surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

PA