Irish hurling legend Ger Loughnane is battling leukaemia in hospital.

The former Clare manger who led the county to two All-Ireland  hurling titles in the nineties is currently receiving treatment at St James's Hospital after he was diagnosed with the illness just two weeks ago.

Loughnane (57) who is a regular sports commentator on RTE's The Sunday Game, is also the principal at St Aidan's National School in Shannon.

The former GAA player lead Clare to their first All- Ireland success in 81 years in 1995 and repeated the success in 1997.

Since retiring from management in 2000 he was become a well respected sports pundit and columnist.

Speaking about the news former Galway manager Cyril Farrell said he was confident his colleague would make a full recovery.

"It's very sad news for himself, Mary and his kids," he told the Irish Independent.

"But he'll have the strength to pull through. If anyone can pull through, it's him. He was always very fit and health conscious and it should go a long way to help him," he said.

"He'll have the prayers of the whole country with him," he added.

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