Kerry GAA is in mourning after the passing of 26-year-old footballer Patrick Curtin on Tuesday.

Curtin died from serious head injuries after a car crash before Christmas in Guatemala.

His family and friends flew out to Florida, where he was being treated, after news of the accident and were by his side when he passed away.

Moyvane man Curtin, a full-forward, played his last game for the Kingdom back in 2013 against Cavan in the championship at Croke Park.

He was working for a Kerry-based company in South America.

Writing on Twitter, Kerry manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice said Curtin was "a great team-mate, a great friend and great player to coach" and that he was "talented, relentless and tough as nails."

Kerry GAA said in a statement: “It is with deep regret that Kerry GAA has learned of the death of Patrick Curtin of Moyvane.

“The 26-year-old was injured in an accident while working in Guatemala before Christmas and was subsequently airlifted to hospital in Miami where he passed away earlier today.

"Patrick played in all grades of inter-county football with Kerry. He played minor in 2006 and 2007, under 21 in 2009 and 2010, junior in 2009 and made his senior championship debut against Tipperary in 2012 having made his league debut earlier that year against Dublin.

"In all, Patrick made six championship and 10 league appearances for the Kingdom. Kerry GAA extends its deepest sympathy to his family, friends and work colleagues and also to his club, Moyvane.

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anamacha."