Tributes have poured in for Westmeath football legend Mick Carley who died on Sunday night.

Carley is widely regarded as one of his county's greatest ever players after representing them for 20 years.

He won two O'Byrne Cup medals with Westmeath and enjoyed club successes with Mental Hospital (now St Loman's) and The Downs.

The Tyrrellspass native formed a formidable midfield partnership for Westmeath with Dom Murtagh and is recognised as one of their all-time greats.

His county tweeted: "Westmeath GAA are saddened to learn of the death of the great Mick Carley. Arguably the most famous footballer this county has ever produced.

"We as a GAA community send our deepest condolences to his family at this sad time.

"Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam #Westmeath Legend."

The Downs GAA club said: "It is with great sadness we learn of the passing of Mick Carley, one of the club's and county's finest ever footballers.

"Mick was part of our famous 3 in a row side that won county senior titles in 1968, 1969 and 1970 and was captain when 2 more titles were added in '72 and '74.

"At inter-county level, Mick made his senior debut in 1957 and later linked up with fellow club man Dom Murtagh forming a formidable midfield partnership for Westmeath.

"Mick had the distinction, shared by only two others, of lining out for both the Westmeath minor and senior teams on the same day in the Leinster Championship, a feat he achieved in 1958.

"Louth provided the opposition for Westmeath in both games and Mick played both at full back.

"In 2011, Mick was presented with the Mullingar Park Hotel/Westmeath Examiner Sports Stars ‘Hall of Fame’ award.

"The club were honoured to have Mick and many of his former team mates present in the clubhouse on 24th November 2018 as we celebrated 125 years and the launch of our club history book.

"We extend sincere sympathy to the Carley family at this time and also to our fellow gaels at Tyrrellspass GAA Club.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."

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