Updated 14.10

KERRY GAA IS in shock following the death of former inter-county footballer Patrick Curtin.

The 26-year-old had been in a critical condition following an accident in Guatemala earlier this month.

He was transferred to hospital in America where he died on Tuesday, the Kerry county board confirmed in a statement.

Mr Curtin, a native of Moyvane in North Kerry, had been working for Liebherr Container Cranes in Guatemala since September.

A talented forward, he was part of the Kerry minor football team that was beaten by Roscommon in the 2006 All-Ireland final replay.

He continued to represent the Kingdom at inter-county level, playing U21 in 2009 and 2010, before breaking through to make his senior debut under Jack O’Connor in the 2012 league campaign.

He made his championship debut against Tipperary later that summer and went on to make 10 league and six championship appearances.

“He meant everything to us,” Moyvane club chairman Johnny Stack told The42.

“He has been our go-to man for the past six or seven years, since he was a minor.

“He played great football for us. The Kerry team took him away for a few years and then he travelled with Liebherr but every year when he at home, he turned up to every training session.

He was at home this year from Brazil for a month before he went to Guatemala and he went down and he spent two days coaching the U10s and they were delighted with him. That’s the kind of clubman he was.

His talent was evident from a very young age, Stack continued.

“From the age of seven or eight, we were hearing about how talented he was. He was a gifted young fella. He had ability with both legs which a lot of U10s wouldn’t have. He had ability left and right.

“We’re devastated here,” he added.

This is going to have an effect on the whole club. It’s just devastating.

GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell also extended his condolences.

“On behalf of the county playing body I would like offer our sincere sympathies to the Curtin family, to Kerry GAA, the Moyvane club and to everyone associated with Patrick whose tragic loss has come as a terrible shock to the GAA community.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”

Former Kerry midfielder Mike Quirke was among those to pay tribute.

“North Kerry has lost a tough one in Paddy Curtin,” he wrote. “Awfully sad news.

“Thoughts are with his family & friends & the whole Moyvane community.”

“Devastating news re the loss of Patrick Curtin,” local journalist Sylvester Hennessy wrote.

“Memories of his brilliance on the football field live on. May you stay ‘Forever Young’ Paddy.”