Match death teenager was due to receive GCSE results
A teenage Gaelic footballer who collapsed and died during a match in Co Down was due to get his GCSE exam results tomorrow, his 17th birthday.
Patrick Dinsmore, a pupil at St Colman's College, Newry, is believed to have suffered cardiac failure.
His uncle, Liam Dinsmore, said today: "The family is absolutely devastated. He was so full of life."
Patrick became ill just 15 minutes after the start of a minor league match at Rostrevor between his team, St Peters, Warrenpoint and neighbours St Bronaghs.
A doctor and two nurses went to his aid and worked on him for 35 minutes. At one stage a defibrillator was used to try to resuscitate him.
His father Bernard and mother Deirdre rushed to the pitch before their son was carried away on a stretcher and taken by ambulance to the Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry where he died last night.
With Down due to play Kildare in this Sunday's all-Ireland senior football semi-final at Croke Park, SDLP councillor Michael Carr said the death had cast a shadow over everything.
"It was every parent's worst nightmare," he said.
"This really is a devastating, utterly devastating, death of a fine young man.
"The local area is finding it hard to come to terms with it as the young lad was so well thought of and was taking part in something he loved, representing his local community."
Just hours before the match Patrick had been on his mountain bike and there was no physical contact with any other player when he became ill.
Mr Dinsmore added: "He loved his football, and I've no doubt that had Down qualified for the all-Ireland final Patrick, like everybody else would have been clamouring for a ticket. He had a great bunch of friends and it's just so sad."
Members of the two teams were today offered counselling services. A book of condolences was also opened.
Fergal McCormick, a spokesman for the Warrenpoint club, said the entire club was shocked. He added: "It's an unbearable tragedy. It's unreal. It's unbelievable and this is a very difficult time, especially for Patrick's family. We've never had to deal with this before, and hopefully we'll never have to deal with it again."
GAA president Christy Cooney confirmed Patrick was off the ball when he collapsed while playing at left half back. He offered his heartfelt condolences.
Mr Cooney said: "Patrick was a sporting young man who had also had a strong interest in mountain-biking and he was extremely popular amongst his peers.
"We hope that Patrick will remain in the memory of those who were lucky enough to know him for many years to come."
