He fought the good fight bravely, just as he did every time he pulled on the red and black Ballygunner jersey in championship battle.

Sadly, tragically, the great Niall Warren lost that personal battle for survival last Sunday morning when he succumbed to his terminal illness and left this life at an all to young 41 years of age.

I will forever retain the most vivid memories of this sterling defender in action. He stood tall on the fringe of the square, and so often was a bulwark around which some of the best forwards in the business could find no way. He matched his great hurling attributes with a level of sportsmanship that marked him as the model player he undoubtedly was, and Ballygunner and indeed Waterford have lost a man who was such a wonderful servant to both. How fitting that the tricolour was flown at half mast in Fraher Field last Sunday with the impeccable observance of a minute's silence as a mark of respect before the Ballinacourty/Gaultier senior football championship game.

Niall Warren's hurling legacy is an enriching and fulfilling one, and those of us privileged to have seen him in action on the playing fields will always retain the fondest memories of a wonderful player and an equally wonderful sportsman. Go ndeine Dia trocaire ar a anam dilis.

Courtesy of The Waterford News & Star September 27th 2011 Tweet

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