TWO of the young men killed in a two-car collision on the A1 dual carriageway in Co Down will be laid to rest today.
Family and friends are due to gather to pay their last respects to Peter Hughes and Gavin Sloan at their funerals in counties Down and Armagh.
The two men and friend Conall Havern were killed in the crash on the dual carriageway between Dromore and Banbridge on Sunday.
All three, who were students at Queen's University Belfast, had been returning home from Belfast after finalising their accommodation in the city for the forthcoming academic year.
The funeral of Mr Hughes, a talented Gaelic footballer, will take place at St Patrick's Church in Dromintee at 11am.
Team mates from his beloved Dromintee GAC are expected to form a guard of honour alongside players from Queens GAA club.
The 19-year-old began playing Gaelic football at under-eight level and had recently been a member of the university side during his first year at QUB.
Colm McCoy from Dromintee GAC last night described how Mr Hughes's life had been dedicated to his home Gaelic club.
"Peter was an invaluable member of our football club and wore the Dromintee jersey with great pride and accomplishment, from underage level right through to senior level," he said.
"Peter's contribution to club life follows a long tradition of the Hughes' family's involvement in Dromintee GAC.
"Our existing playing fields and new all-weather training facility originally formed part of Peter's grandfather's farm.
"Peter was a popular young man and a great ambassador within Dromintee and the wider community."
Mr McCoy added that the footballer's death had "left a great void and sadness" for all those who knew him.
Meanwhile, large crowds of mourners will also gather near Kilkeel for the funeral of Mr Sloan (20) from Tullyframe Road in Attical.
Requiem Mass in St Colman's Church, Massforth will take place at noon.
Studying law at QUB, he was described as a "quiet lad" and a talented student.
His former school, St Louis' Grammar School in Kilkeel, said in a statement that he was "an exemplary student, conscientious and hard-working".
In a statement, Atticall GAC also paid tribute to the young Co Down man.
"Sad news of the passing of Gavin Sloan who was an underage and talented player for Atticall GAC along with Peter Hughes and Conall Havern," the club said.
The funeral of Mr Havern from Crieve Road in Newry is due to take place in the city tomorrow.
The 20-year-old, a former pupil at Abbey Christian Brothers' Grammar School, has been described as a "very modest and down to earth" young man.
Funeral mass will be celebrated at St Mary's Church in Newry at noon followed by interment in Monskhill Cemetery.
