The GAA has postponed tomorrow's All Ireland hurling quarter-finals at Croke Park until next Saturday as a mark of respect to the Kilkenny team after the death of the wife of goalkeeper James McGarry in a car crash.
Shocked and grieving communities in towns and villages across Co Kilkenny are preparing for the funerals this weekend of Vanessa McGarry (31) and another woman, Mary Lonergan (49), who died following a multiple-vehicle crash near Thomastown on Thursday morning.
Mrs McGarry was the wife of James McGarry, a goalkeeper with the Kilkenny senior hurling team and a four-time All-Ireland medal winner. The hurling quarter-finals were due to take place tomorrow.
Gardaí yesterday arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of dangerous driving and causing the death of one of the women.
The man, who is believed to be a Polish national resident in Ireland, is being questioned at Thomastown Garda station and was due to be released or charged by 11.30pm yesterday.
Ned Quinn, chairman of Kilkenny's GAA county board, yesterday expressed the organisation's sadness and grief.
He described Mrs McGarry as "a lovely young woman" who had regularly travelled with the Kilkenny squad to attend all the major games.
Members of the Kilkenny hurling panel are reported to be shocked and distressed by the news of her death..
Mrs McGarry was a native of Thomastown and her husband is from the village of Bennettsbridge. The couple had married just six months ago. She worked in Healy's pharmacy in Thomastown and was on her way to work at the time of the crash.
Her son, who was sitting beside her in the car, was taken to hospital but is expected to be released by today.
Mrs McGarry's removal will take place at 6pm today to the Church of the Assumption in Thomastown and burial will take place in St Mary's Cemetery after requiem Mass at 11am tomorrow.
Mrs Lonergan, of Kellymount, Paulstown, who is survived by her husband, son and daughter, worked at Connolly's Topline hardware store in Bagenalstown in Co Carlow.
She was understood to have been taking her daughter Louise to Tramore for a day at the beach when the crash happened. Her daughter survived the collision and has since been discharged from hospital.
Mrs Lonergan's funeral will also take place tomorrow after 11.30am requiem Mass in the village of Paulstown.
Three men were injured in the crash. Two are said to be in a "stable condition" in hospital and the third man has been released.