THE brother of a Co Tyrone GAA player and inter-county statistician killed in a car crash has said that his heart "is broken" .
Dominic Earley (26), from the Mullaghmore area of Omagh, was killed in a one-vehicle collision on the Glengesh Road near Tempo, Co Fermanagh, on Saturday morning.
Mr Earley was involved as a member of the backroom team with the Cavan senior footballers, where it is understood he worked as a statistician and analyst.
Mr Earley's brother, Gerard, wrote on Facebook: "My heart is broken. Dominic Earley was a gentleman, a hero, inspiration, a great brother, a great son, and a dream boyfriend to Maria Harkin for 10 years.
"He reached out to every one, and especially me as his younger brother I'm gona miss you giving out to me to do things right!
"The next few days is gona be the hardest thing of my life and my sister's life Danielle Earley I love You! The next few months and the rest of my life has just changed!"
Mr Earley was a reserve team player with Tattyreagh St Patrick's GAA club, as well as "doubling up" as the club's statistician.
The club's senior and reserve fixtures against Newtownstewart, scheduled for Sunday, were postponed as a mark of respect.
Gerry McGinn, Tattyreagh GAC chairman, told The Irish News that the club had been left "rocked" by the news.
Mr McGinn said: "There is total devastation, it has rocked our club. It is a total shock.
"He was very enthusiastic and a total professional, he left absolutely nothing to chance. He was a very popular fella and a total gentleman."
In a statement, Cavan GAA spoke of its "great shock and deep sadness".
"He joined our team management just a short few months ago but in that time he created a lasting impression on those who had the pleasure of meeting him.
"A true gentleman who always had a smile on his face. He was a absolute professional who lived GAA and will be sadly missed."
It is understood that Mr Earley's passion for sports statistics had led him to work with Tyrone GAA and English Premiership football club West Bromwich Albion, having also been a coach with the youth team at Belfast side Crusaders FC.
Social media was flooded with tributes.
Mr Earley's uncle, Damien Bonner, wrote on Facebook: "It was a short life but Dom packed it to the hilt and had so many dreams and hopes for the future. And o what a future it would of been if his short life had not been cut so tragically short. Go Dom, rest in peace and teach them angels how to drop kick."
Loughtec Ltd, an IT company based in Omagh, said it had lost "a dear friend and colleague".
Mr Earley will be buried on Wednesday following Requiem Mass at St Mary's Church in Killyclogher.
He was the third man to die in one-vehicle collisions across Ireland over the weekend.
A man in his 20s was killed and two others left seriously injured following a road crash in Churchfield, Tourmakeady, Co Mayo at around 4am on Sunday.
In Roscommon, a man in his forties was killed near Athlone on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, a pedestrian died in Co Wicklow this morning after being struck by a car.
And a motorcyclist has been taken to hospital with serious injuries following a crash in Toomebridge, Co Antrim. The crash happened yesterday on the Roguery Road. No other vehicles were involved.
