Kilkenny manager Brian Cody paid tribute to the family of Paul Shefflin, who died on Friday while out running.
The hurler who captained the Kilkenny minor team in 1998 was just 40 years old.
The news of the father of four's death sent shockwaves through the local community of Ballyhale and the GAA.
A minute's silence will be held before all National Hurling League games this weekend in memory of Paul.
Speaking before Kilkenny's game on Saturday, Mr Cody said: "It's a really, really sad time for Ballyhale, Kilkenny and the whole hurling community everywhere.
"The Shefflin family are synonymous with the game, and Paul was a terrific hurler himself and obviously just a really popular figure."
Paul won three senior All-Ireland club medals and six senior county titles during his career with Ballyhale.
Along with Mr Cody, hurling legend Jackie Tyrrell spoke about the tragic loss.
He said: "When the news trickled through yesterday, you're asking the question: why?
"All the things you alluded to - a great club man, a great family man, and possibly because of Henry's success, he was possibly overshadowed.
"You look at his list of honours, with three club All-Irelands. A great club man, coaching and treasurer of the club.
"I played against Paul a few times. He was a real tough cookie but a gentleman off the hurling field.
"It's a sad, sad day for a community like Ballyhale that have had a lot of tragedy down throughout the years.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shefflin family and all the communities associated with Ballyhale GAA tonight."
Davy Fitzgerald and Damien Lawlor also spoke about the GAA's support to grieving families at sad times such as this.
He said: "Well, that's what the GAA brings. It will bring support that's badly needed.
"Listen, hurling's a great game, but it's not everything. From all of us, our sympathies are with the Shefflin family. It's tragic.
"We'll play a game of hurling here later on, and that will be grand, but, at the same time, our thoughts are with them.
"That's the most important thing - to all the family, our hearts go out to them."
