A COMMUNITY has been left stunned by the sudden death of a former Down GAA player and schools and university all-star.
Peter Turley (33), a married father of two young children from Sheepbridge in Newry, died on Sunday.
Mr Turley played Gaelic football for the Saval club outside Newry and has previously represented Down.
He played MacRory Cup football for Abbey Grammar School in Newry and was named an Ulster Colleges All-Star in 2001.
He went on to Queen's University where he appeared in consecutive Sigerson Cup finals in 2005 and 2006.
He was one of three Queen's players to win a Sigerson All Star in 2006.
Gillian Fitzpatrick, the SDLP vice chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, paid tribute to the young man on Sunday night.
"The community has been left stunned, but the Saval community is a good community and it will rally around the family," Ms Fitzpatrick said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time."
The Abbey community is saddened to learn of the tragic death of our recent past pupil, Peter Turley from Saval. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
— Abbey Grammar School (@Abbey_CBS) February 7, 2016
His former school posted a tribute on Twitter on Sunday night which read: "The Abbey community is saddened to learn of the tragic death of our recent past pupil, Peter Turley from Saval. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
