An umpire at a GAA match was yesterday hailed as a hero after he saved a nine-year-old boy from drowning in a sewage pit at a hurling match.
The accident happened when Alan Gorey from Hospital in Co Limerick went looking for a sliothar which went behind the goal at a junior hurling match in the town last Thursday night.
Umpire Joe Cosgrave (59) from Pallasgreen, Co Limerick, who was officiating at the match between Dromin-Athlacca and Pallasgreen, heard screams for help coming from behind the goal.
The GAA official swiftly abandoned his post and climbed over a gate behind the goal line and went in the direction of the cries for help.
He was shocked to find nine-year-old Alan Gorey up to his chest in a sewage pit struggling to stay afloat in the mire.
Mr Cosgrave, who was unable to reach the screaming youngster, took off his white umpire's coat and threw it towards the boy, who managed to grab onto one end of the garment.
Mr Cosgrave caught hold of the boy and succeeded in plucking the youngster to safety from the murky pit.
The boy's mother, Mrs Catherine Gorey, yesterday thanked the quick-thinking umpire for saving her son's life.
"He saved my son and we are so thankful and appreciative of what he did," said Mrs Gorey.
Meanwhile, the unassuming umpire was yesterday playing down the rescue. "He's a strong young fellow and he nearly pulled me into the pit as well. The umpire's coat was destroyed and I don't think it will be any good to anyone again," he said.