Limerick hurling hero Paul Carey dies in collision in Dubai

There is shock in Patrickswell’s heart this Saturday when it emerged that local father and hurling hero Paul Carey was killed yesterday in a traffic collision in Dubai.

Carey, brother of retired Limerick hurling legend Ciaran Carey, and uncle of current Limerick hurling star Cian Lynch, would have celebrated his 42nd birthday in two weeks.

The stalwart pitcher who captained ‘The Well’ in his eighteenth senior hurling title in 2003, was expecting his second child with his heartbroken wife Anna, a family source said.

Family, friends and neighbors gathered around Ms. Carey, a native of the Philippines, and the couple’s youngest son, Fionn, at their home in Patrickswell.

The young couple had decided to move home from Dubai, where they had lived for the past eight years, in time for the Christmas period.

Mr. Carey, who was teaching English and religion in Dubai, had been making last minute arrangements to finalize his full-time move back to Ireland.

The tight-knit community was deeply shocked as it tried to come to terms with the dire news, with family members desperately trying to fight their way through the latest travel and repatriation guidelines in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The family is in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in the United Arab Emirates.

Colin Bell of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust said the family contacted the organization and pledged to provide the necessary assistance to promptly repatriate Mr. Carey’s body to Patrickswell for burial.

“Trying to get Paul home is the most important thing. Words cannot describe it, it is your worst nightmare, especially when this happens abroad, ”said the familiar source.

Obviously his family wants to be there with him, even to formally identify his body, and have any questions they may have answered.

Paying tribute, they said, “Paul was a great guy who was full of life, he was a first-class guy and loved by all, and a great role model for his entire family.”

Carey, one of ten siblings, raised silverware with his beloved Patrickswell, captaining the team to its 18th senior title in 2003, a day he starred alongside his brothers Ciaran and Kevin. His nephew Cian, who won an All-Ireland throwing medal for Limerick in 2018, appeared as the Patrickswell club mascot.

He had also lined up for Limerick in the ranks, from underage to under-21 and older.

“He loved Patrickswell, he was as proud of the place as his community was proud of it, he loved to pitch and he loved to follow the successes of Limerick, he was looking forward to the Munster final next weekend (Nov 15), and it will be a great loss for his family and his community ”, added the source.

A local man, who declined to be named, said: “It’s terribly sad and so sudden, Paul was a great pitcher and contributor to the Patrickswell community, and had been involved with Limerick pitching panels at all grades.” .

‘Devastating’

Patrickswell GAA club president John McDermott, who played alongside the three Carey brothers in the 2003 county final, said the “thoughts and prayers” of the entire club were with the Carey family, adding: “We will do everything possible to support them as they go through this difficult period ”.

The Carey family, he said, is an integral part of the club, with different generations that have inspired many victories on the field.

“Ciaran is currently Patrickswell’s senior manager, and the entire family is immersed in Patrickswell GAA, so it’s devastating to even understand it, and it’s devastating for them,” McDermott said.

“Paul was at home recently and was playing with Patrickswell juniors, not long ago he returned to Dubai. His wife and son are here at Patrickswell, they had been settling in and trying to get used to it. ”

Paying tribute to his former comrade, he recalled an anecdote that is forever etched in the annals of Patrickswell GAA: “One of the things that Paul did, that he cannot do today, because he would not be allowed to, is that, when He was 16 years old, he played in the U16, minor, and U21 in one year, he played in all three teams at sixteen, and I don’t think I’ve heard from anyone else who has done that, and that’s the kind of person he was.

“You couldn’t find a tougher pitcher. It just shows how strong he was, at 16 he could play against the 21 pitchers, without any problem … He always gave everything ”.

A statement issued by Patrickswell GAA said it was “saddened to learn of the tragic and untimely passing of Paul Carey in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and we offer our sincere condolences to his wife Anna, son Fionn and the extended Carey family on this Difficult moment.

“Paul was a valued member of the club and a committed player for many years. Paul captained Patrickswell to the County Championship title in 2003. His loss will be felt deeply in Patrickswell and beyond.

“We ask that Paul be remembered in his prayers and that his family be supported in his time of need. Ar dheis Dé go raibh to anam “.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said she was “aware” of the death of an Irish man in Dubai on Friday and was “providing consular assistance” to his family in Limerick.