Referee Dies During Derry Championship Match

**bald eagle** Sat Aug 13, 2011 12:21 am

On Friday night Derry GAA lost a stalwart and i lost a dear friend. Martin Mulholland, 58, passed away at the start of the second half in the Derry Senior Hurling Championship Q/f between Ballinasreen and Lynches in Swatragh. He was briefly brought round by the defrib machine at the ground but could not be saved.

Martin was briliant to my family and i during times of grief and my thoughts are with his family.

I had flown home with my wife this afternoon (Friday) and was thinking of going to watch that game and take her to her first ever hurling match, thank God i didnt. The news has left me devastated and is bringing back so many horrible memories, but the one thing i knew about Martin was that he loved hurling and if he could have chosen how to go then this way would have been it.

Goodbye my dear friend, thanks for everything and my you Rest in Peace.

**Jayo Cluxton** Sat Aug 13, 2011 1:30 am

Very sad to hear BE. May he RIP.

**hurlingguru** Sat Aug 13, 2011 10:24 am

Ar Dheis Dé Go Raibh a Anam. May he Rest In Peace.

**Grenvile** Sat Aug 13, 2011 11:32 am

Sorry to hear of your loss BE. Our thoughts are with his family. RIP.

**GAA-Fan** Sat Aug 13, 2011 1:44 pm

Very sad news may he RIP.

**bocerty** Sat Aug 13, 2011 2:21 pm

sorry to hear of the loss of your friend BE - deepest sympathies to all his family.

May he rest in peace.

**Loyal2TheRoyal** Sat Aug 13, 2011 6:00 pm

Sad news - RIP. Tremendous courage and dedication to be still refereeing at such a high level at that age too.

**black&white** Sun Aug 14, 2011 10:42 pm

Deepest sympathies BE.

Whilst it may not make things any easier for friends and family in the immediate aftermath, take heart in that he went whilst doing something he loved.