The world of Kilkenny hurling is grieving after the death yesterday of Paul Shefflin, younger brother of Henry.
Paul Shefflin was integral part of the great Ballyhale Shamrocks team of the late noughties and early 2010s. He was captained the Kilkenny minors and played corner back on the Ballyhale Shamrocks team that beat Loughrea to win the 2007 All-Ireland club hurling final. He walked up the Hogan Stand steps in 2010, when Ballyhale beat Portumna in one of the most famous club finals of them all.
Shefflin wore the #5 shirt when Ballyhale Shamrocks beat Kilmallock to win the 2015 All-Ireland club hurling final.
Paul Shefflin studied at St Kieran's College in Kilkenny and Waterford IT, where he won a Fitzgibbon Cup.
He won four Leinster titles with Ballyhale and six Kilkenny titles.
According to reports, he died suddenly yesterday, while out jogging. He was married and had four children.
Parish priest Fr Seán O’Connor told the Irish Independent that the community around Ballyhale is in shock.
"Paul is the youngest of the Shefflin family and he died yesterday suddenly out running, it’s just tragedy for the whole parish."
"They are totally [in shock]. We haven’t heard much else at the moment."
This afternoon, the club released the following statement on social media.
"Shamrocks GAA Club are shocked and saddened by the sudden death of club member and former player Paul Shefflin. Paul was an unbelievable player and won many County championships and Club All Irelands wearing the Jersey he loved."
Shamrocks GAA Club are shocked and saddened by the sudden death of club member and former player Paul Shefflin. Paul was an unbelievable player and won many County championships and Club All Irelands wearing the Jersey he loved. pic.twitter.com/CI2dTwQ99Y
— Shamrocks (@BallyhaleGAA) March 5, 2022
Henry Shefflin's Galway side travel to Pairc uí Chaoimh this evening to play Cork in the Allianz National League.
