The Late Liam O'Donnell The 21 year old former Waterford minor hurler died tragically in a road traffic accident near Kilmeaden. Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Holy Family Church, Luke Wadding Street, Waterford for the Requiem Mass of Liam O'Donnell, from No 3 Heathfield Drive, Grantstown. Members of the De La Salle GAA Club, of which Liam was a prominent member, will provided a guard of honour as the coffin was brought to the church. He was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ballygunner with his De La Salle club jersey and hurley by his side. The death of the talented and popular young hurler and footballer has shocked and devastated his family, many friends and Waterford's close knit GAA community. Just two years ago, Liam's close friend Raymond O'Rourke from Oak Drive, Hillview, was tragically killed when the motorcycle he was driving was involved in a collision with a car at the junction of Crescent Drive, Hillview, and Cleaboy Road, in Waterford. Raymond O'Rourke's girlfriend Ellen Mackey from Lismore Park, Waterford, also died in that accident. Liam died when the car he was driving went out of control and struck a wall near the Maonor Court Hotel on the Old Kilmeaden Road. He was the only occupant of the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. The previous afternoon he was goalkeeper on the De La Salle team that was beaten by Portlaw in the Eastern Junior Football semi-final in Fenor. Liam was also a very valued member of the De La Salle's senior hurling team. He played in the position of right half-back. He also played hurling for Waterford at minor and under age grades. He played on the Waterford minor team that played Tipperary in the Munster Final several years ago. The young Waterford man was originally from Hillview in Waterford. His family moved to Grantstown village several years ago. He was educated at St. Stephen's National School and De La Salle College and worked at his father Eddie's monumental works business on Waterford's Philip Street. Liam is survived by his parents Eddie and Ann, his sisters Yvonne, Tracy and Ann Marie, nephews Evan and Christopher, grandparents, uncles, aunts other relatives and many friends. His remains lay in repose at his home in heathfield Drive. Mass was celebrated at the house by his grieving family and friends. 22nd November 2003 Courtesy of the Waterford News & Star Tweet

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