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By Sean Moriarty

Legion GAA Club is this week in shock following the tragic death of one of the club’s best known and respected players.

Damien Lyne died in fall in the Whitebridge area of the town in the early hours of Saturday morning (April 10).

The Lyne family are steeped in Kerry GAA history. Damien’s brother Jonathan is a member of the current Kerry senior team and was a part of the team’s last All-Ireland victory in 2014.

Damien's grandfather Denny Lyne and grand-uncles Jackie and Michael Lyne also won All-Ireland SFC medals with the Kingdom. Denny captained Kerry in the 1947 All-Ireland final, the match famously played at the Gaelic Grounds in New York.

Damien was an accomplished footballer himself and was a member of the Legion side that won an U21 county title in 2012.

“Damien represented the club at every level, he played a pivotal role in our U21 county club championship victory in 2012,” said club PRO Elaine O’Donoghue.

“Damien will be sadly missed by his many friends and teammates throughout the club and beyond."

Club members were unable to accompany Damien on his final journey in accordance with current Government and HSE directives, and in the interest of public health a private funeral was held.

However, club members were asked to shine a light on their front windows at 9pm on Monday night as a mark of respect.

“Sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone who united on Monday showing solidarity in challenging times for Damien’s final journey,” added Elaine.

A former student at St Brendan’s College and University College Cork, Damien represented The Sem at Munster Colleges level.

He is survived by his parents Geraldine and Denis, his brother Jonathan and sister Denise, girlfriend Tara, grandparents Arthur and Kit O'Keeffe, uncles, aunts, cousins and wide circle of friends.