From teen prodigy to fallen idol, a legend's disgrace is complete

DENIS Joseph “DJ" Carey is considered to be one of the finest hurlers ever to play the game.

- BY CIARA O'LOUGHLIN

Born in 1970 to parents John and Maura in Gowran, Kilkenny, DJ was one of nine children.

Sadly, he lost two of his brothers, John and Thomas, at a young age. One died in a tragic farming accident while the other suffered a cot death.

He won five All-Ireland titles with Kilkenny and nine All-Star awards as a supremely gifted left wing-forward.

The fraudster showed promise from a young age and in 1988, began playing with Kilkenny’s senior team aged just 17.