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Christmas has come early for Limerick hurling star Shane Dowling.
The sportsman has welcomed his first child with his fiancée, Paula Donnelly.
Shane shared a picture of his newborn in his crib in the hospital, as they revealed his gorgeous name.
Wrapped up in a snowsuit, the little one rested as his proud parents shared how blessed they are feeling.
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“Tommy Dowling. 11/12/23. Feeling blessed,” he captioned the picture.
How sweet!
Of course, they were met with some gorgeous messages from their friends and family.
One of the messages of congratulations to Shane and Paula was from their club Na Piarsaigh, cheekily writing: “Congrats to yourself and Paula Shane. Future free taker in the making.”
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Irish Olympian Naomi Carroll commented: “Congratulations to you both Paula and Shane, he is beautiful.”
The former Limerick hurler popped the question to Paula last December – clearly a lucky month for the couple.
The couple were away for a romantic holiday in Adare Manor at the time.
In July 2020, Shane announced his retirement from intercounty hurling after suffering a major knee injury admitting that the decision came with “deep regret and heartbreak”.
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“After three surgeries on my knee in as many years, and the possibility of another, my knee can no longer support the demands of inter-county hurling,” he wrote at the time.
“To my parents, Paddy and Joan, my sister Fiona, and to my girlfriend Paula, I would like to sincerely thank you for putting up with everything over the years, and for always being there by my side through the ups and the downs.
“As I close this chapter of my life, which is heartbreaking for me, I am going to try and look at the positives, and fortunately for me there are a lot of them. I have fulfilled my dreams, which was above and beyond what I ever thought was possible. I have no doubt that my obsession with the game of hurling will continue in different capacities in the months and years to come.”
However, he has not left the world of GAA behind as he has been seen on The Sunday Game on RTÉ as well as working as a family engagement officer for Cliona’s Foundation in Limerick.