Niall Donohue (also spelled Donoghue) (25 October 1990 − 23 October 2013)
- was an Irish hurler who played at senior level for the

Galway Galway ( ; , ) is a City status in Ireland, city in (and the county town of) County Galway. It lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay. It is the most populous settlement in the province of Connacht, the List of settleme ...

senior team.

Early life and career

Born in Kilbeacanty,

County Galway County Galway ( ; ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Northern and Western Region, taking up the south of the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht. The county population was 276,451 at the 20 ...

, Donohue first played competitive hurling while at school in Gort Community School. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Galway minor team, before later joining the under-21 side. He made his senior debut in the 2012 National Hurling League. Donohue played a key part for Galway over the following two seasons, and won one

Leinster Leinster ( ; or ) is one of the four provinces of Ireland, in the southeast of Ireland. The modern province comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Meath, Leinster and Osraige, which existed during Gaelic Ireland. Following the 12th-century ...

medal. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion. He was also nominated for an All Star this year. Throughout his career Donohue made eight championship appearances. As a member of the

Connacht Connacht or Connaught ( ; or ), is the smallest of the four provinces of Ireland, situated in the west of Ireland. Until the ninth century it consisted of several independent major Gaelic kingdoms (Uí Fiachrach, Uí Briúin, Uí Maine, C ...

inter-provincial team for two successive years, Donohue unsuccessfully contested two

Railway Cup The GAA Interprovincial Championship () or Railway Cup (''Corn an Iarnróid'') is the name of two annual Gaelic football and hurling competitions held between the provinces of Ireland. The Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster GAA teams are co ...

finals. At club level he played with Kilbeacanty.

Death

Donohue was found dead by

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Risk factors for suicide include mental disorders, physical disorders, and substance abuse. Some suicides are impulsive acts driven by stress (such as from financial or ac ...

in his home on 23 October 2013, two days before his 23rd birthday. His death brought the topic of suicide into public consciousness.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Donohue, Niall 1990 births 2013 suicides 2013 deaths Kilbeacanty hurlers Galway inter-county hurlers Connacht inter-provincial hurlers Suicides in the Republic of Ireland 21st-century Irish sportsmen