Death of Cormac McAnallen: Political and GAA leaders have expressed shock and sympathy at the death of Cormac McAnallen, the captain of All-Ireland champions Tyrone, who died suddenly early yesterday at his home in Eglish.

The Tyrone footballer, who only recently was appointed the team captain for the season, had already won most honours in the game but at the age of 24 was still coming into the prime of his career.

On being informed of the news yesterday morning, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, first extended his sympathies to the McAnallen family.

"I met Cormac just recently and he was a wonderful young man," he said. "He will be deeply missed by his family, his friends and his sport. On behalf of myself and my colleagues in Government, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his fiancée, his family, his team-mates and the people of Tyrone at this most difficult time."

President Mary McAleese said it was the "worst possible news" but the family "could be very proud of his achievements". She said: "He was a fine young man who any mother and father would have been proud of. And all he ever brought to that family were stories of pride and hard work."

Joining the Government tributes was John O'Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism: "It is with great shock and sadness that I learned of the untimely death of Cormac McAnallen. He was a great footballer and captain and was an outstanding role model for all sports people. His death at such a young age is a monumental loss to his club, his county and to Gaelic football.

"To his family and his Tyrone team-mates I extend my deepest sympathy on their great loss. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a anam."

McAnallen's sudden death will resonate most in the world of Gaelic games. Regarded as one of the most gifted players of his generation, his enthusiasm and dedication to the game had also made him one of the most popular figures in the game of football.

For all of yesterday the family home in the village of Eglish just outside of Dungannon became the centre for those wishing to pay their respects. Among the callers was Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, who led the county to their historic first All-Ireland football title last September.

Harte had been informed in the early hours of yesterday morning of the player's death. McAnallen hadn't been suffering from any previous medical condition but during the course of the night suddenly took ill.

GAA president Seán Kelly summed up the feelings when he said it was difficult to comprehend that such a complete sportsman, such a dedicated team man and such a gentleman should die so suddenly and so young.

"Cormac exemplified everything that was good in a Gaelic footballer and human being," said Kelly. "He had that great and rare gift of greatness, allied to humility."

He added that McAnallen was a success in everything he did, winning every honour in football at all levels with style, skill and sportsmanship, in tandem with great academic achievement: "In the last 12 months Cormac achieved the ultimate honours of playing a pivotal role in Tyrone's historic senior All-Ireland success, in representing his country in the International Rules Series in Australia and winning his first All Star award. His achievements, his modesty and unassuming nature endeared him to everybody and would be a monument to his memory forever."

Kelly concluded by saying he was privileged to have known him, and that he was representing everyone in the GAA in extending his deepest sympathy to the players family, fiancée, his club and county and everybody who will miss him so dearly, particularly in Tyrone.

Also paying respect on behalf of the association was Liam Mulvihill, director general of the GAA, who said no words could describe the shock and sadness he felt when he heard of the death. He too, he added, had known the player and that his loss as a family man, sportsman and teacher is inestimable.

"Everyone in the GAA," he said, "right throughout the country and abroad, share in the McAnallen family's grief, and their thoughts are with them at this time."

There were few more personal tributes than that of Harte, who had worked extensively with McAnallen and the county under-21 team long before the heights of last summer. The frightening nature of his sudden death was made all the more unfathomable in that Harte had only last week seen McAnallen perform perfectly at a team fitness test.

After visiting the family home, Harte said he "had leadership qualities, and he was a very good footballer, but the ardent value he brought to his football life and his sporting life was the true gentleman that he was, and I've said today and many times already that he was the perfect role mode.

"Sometimes we do use this term loosely when people speak of role models but there are no additions necessary to Cormac McAnallen's character to say he was the perfect role medal. He brought so much to the game, his personality, his determination, his dedication."

In paying respect to the player's parents, Brendan and Bridget, and brothers Donal and Fergus, the Tyrone manager had also said it was "a bad day for football, and for sport".

As a further mark of respect, the GAA has also announced that the Tyrone's next football league match against Cork scheduled for Omagh next Sunday has been postponed. There will be a minute's silence at all GAA games and functions countrywide with flags flying at half-mast.

A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday in an attempt to established the possible cause of death, and preliminary results are expected today.

The removal and funeral will both take place on Friday.