Opinion

Prayers for Aaron Devlin

There has been enormous shock that a leading GAA player who became unwell during a match should be diagnosed with an aggressive strain of meningitis which has left him in a critical condition in hospital.

Aaron Devlin (23) initially complained of tiredness during a game last Wednesday, but concerns about his health escalated rapidly and he was quickly taken to the intensive care unit at Antrim area hospital.

The talented young forward made his name with Ballinderry Shamrocks as the club won an Ulster senior title and he has also represented both Derry and Ulster University Jordanstown with distinction over recent years.

Messages of support for his family have flooded in from the wider GAA community as far away as Australia, and there will be widespread hopes that the power of prayer will allow Mr Devlin to make a full recovery.