Tributes pour in as one of the most capped GAA players of all time sadly passes away

Louth GAA is in morning today as the death of legendary footballer Stephen Melia was confirmed after a short illness.

The midfielder made his debut for the Wee County in 1985, and his final game came in the 2002 season with reports suggesting he played for his county 179 times. The midfielder was one of the country's most recognisable players and he was a vital members of Louth's 2002 Division two league success against Offaly while he was also part of the county's backroom team when they claimed the Division two league title in 2006. During a lengthy club career he featured for St Josephs and John Mitchells in his native Louth, as well as O'Dwyer's in Dublin and then later Dromiskin. Dozens of tributes have been paid to the player from across the GAA world: https://twitter.com/thejoesgfc/status/657507007717646341 https://twitter.com/JonnyMcgailey/status/657471629254111232 https://twitter.com/JonnyMcgailey/status/657472113742336000 https://twitter.com/david_kieran/status/657501048458846208 https://twitter.com/Iansharkey42/status/657480303410331648 https://twitter.com/LMFMRADIO/status/657487875240513536 https://twitter.com/Patrick_Thorn/status/657487430417780736