THE number 10 shirt worn by the late Ballinderry Shamrocks GAA player Aaron Devlin was retired for the club’s first senior championship game since his death.
The tribute to the 23-year-old, who died from meningitis at the end of July, was made at last night’s county championship game between Ballinderry and Ballinascreen.
Players, coaches and fans from both sides stood to observe a minute’s silence in memory of the Derry footballer.
Ballinderry Shamrocks chairman Stephen McGeehan said it had been an "emotional evening".
"From our point of view it was a mark of respect for Aaron and we thought it would be particularly poignant for tonight, it was the right thing to do," he added.
Mr McGeehan added: "It was our first senior championship game since Aaron’s passing and both teams and the crowd observed an impeccable minute’s silence."
Prior to the game, Mr McGeehan tweeted: "It is worse off without our Aaron Devlin, but clear eyes, full hearts can’t lose!"
In the end, Ballinascreen ran out winners by four points, scoring 3-8 to Ballinderry’s total of 0-13.
Mr Devlin's death prompted a huge outpouring of sympathy for his family in GAA circles and his local community.
Following his death, the Devlin family thanked the GAA for their support.
