A FORMER county hurler's career as a top referee has been threatened by a diagnosis of incurable motor neurone disease.
Loved ones of married dad-of-two Fergus Smith, 54, who was diagnosed earlier this month, are fundraising to cover expensive medical costs.
His wife Marie and their sons saw hundreds of people donate nearly €19,000 in less than 24 hours towards the €30,000 goal.
A spokesperson for the GoFundMe fundraiser told the Irish Mirror: "Fergus is a ref in Meath and also umpires, so he is well-known in GAA circles. We are keeping things positive and Fergus is the same.
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