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Co Derry GAA club pays tribute to senior footballer who died from injuries suffered in crash

Shaun Mullan was last night described as a 'very well loved member' of Ballerin GAC
Shaun Mullan was last night described as a 'very well loved member' of Ballerin GAC Shaun Mullan was last night described as a 'very well loved member' of Ballerin GAC

A CO Derry GAA club has paid tribute to one of its senior footballers who died from injuries suffered in a crash while out cycling.

Shaun Mullan was remembered as a "very well loved member" of Sarsfields Ballerin GAC, whose death has left the club "deeply saddened".

Tributes to the footballer, who was aged in his 20s, last night described how he had "everything to live for".

Originally from Ballerin, near Garvagh, he had only married wife Sinead in recent months and they had moved to live in Maghera.

A former student at St Paul's College, Kilrea and later Ulster University, friends have described him as "one of the best lads you could ever meet".

Mr Mullan suffered serious injuries in a crash on the Glenshane Pass, near the turnoff for Maghera, on Thursday morning and died on Sunday.

Sarsfields Ballerin GAC last night posted an image of the footballer on its Facebook page and described his devotion to the sport.

"The members, players and committee of Ballerin GAC are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of our clubmate and present senior player Shaun Mullan," they said.

"Shaun was a very well loved member of our senior team who enjoyed training and playing football with his friends and teammates.

"Shaun loved a tough physical battle during a game and this side of his personality shone through to the end as he tried his best to battle the injuries he suffered in the tragic accident on Thursday morning.

"Our deepest sympathies and thoughts are with Shaun’s family and his wife Sinead.

"This will undoubtedly be a very difficult time for his family, friends and our wider club family, we will now do our best as a club and community to help each other through this tragic, sorrowful time and keep the memory of Shaun strong in our hearts."

In a statement posted on Facebook, St Paul's College, Kilrea said: "Today we had a special assembly to remember our dead. As a school community we prayed especially for our past pupil, Shaun Mullan".

Sinn Féin councillor Kate McEldowney said Mr Mullan had his whole life ahead of him.

"It's a terrible tragedy...He only recently moved to Maghera and had everything to live for, it is an awful tragedy."

SDLP councillor Martin Kearney also said: "My condolences are with the family following this tragic crash. The community will come together and help them as this devastating time".

Requiem Mass for Mr Mullan will be celebrated in Church of St Mary, Ballerin tomorrow at noon following by interment afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.

Police have appealed for anyone who was on the Glenshane Road on Thursday morning and has any information that may help the investigation to contact them.