THE GAA COMMUNITY is in mourning this evening following the sad news that Derry footballer Aaron Devlin has passed away.
The 22-year-old fell ill last week and was rushed to hospital on Friday night.
Devlin was battling an aggressive strain of meningitis and was placed on life-support over the weekend. He passed away on Thursday afternoon.
The Gaelic Players Association have led the many tributes to the Ballinderry wing forward as they expressed its sincere condolences to Devlin’s family and friends.
In a statement released this evening, GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell said: ”It is with enormous sadness that we learned of the death of Derry footballer and GPA member Aaron Devlin today.
“A talented player, Aaron was a wonderful participant at our Student Summit earlier this year. A bright life full of promise has been tragically extinguished and our deepest sympathies go to his family, friends, county, club and college team mates.
“Leaba i measc na naomh go raibh aige.”
GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail expressed his condolences on behalf of the Association.
“Aaron’s death is an unimaginable loss for both his family and his community. Ulster GAA offers them and all Aaron’s many teammates our support at this difficult time and express our sincere sympathy on their loss,” a statement read.
“People throughout Ulster and Ireland will remember Aaron wearing either the Ballinderry or Derry jersey as he graced each field with his youth, talent and skill. That is how he should always be remembered; as a talented player who proudly represented and loved the GAA though his involvement at Club, Community and County level.”
Ulster GAA President Martin McAviney asked the sport’s community up and down the country to rally behind Devlin’s family in the weeks ahead.
“Aaron’s death is an unimaginable loss for both his family and his community. Ulster GAA offers them and all Aaron’s many teammates our support at this difficult time and express our sincere sympathy on their loss.
“People throughout Ulster and Ireland will remember Aaron wearing either the Ballinderry or Derry jersey as he graced each field with his youth, talent and skill. That is how he should always be remembered; as a talented player who proudly represented and loved the GAA though his involvement at Club, Community and County level.
“I also extend our sympathy to our colleagues in both Ballinderry GAA and Derry GAA.
“Finally I ask GAA members throughout Ulster and Ireland to keep Aaron’s mother Carmel, father Eugene, sister Anna, and brothers Ronan and Coilin in their thoughts and prayers in the weeks ahead.”
