A YOUNG GAA star who was killed in a road traffic collision in Co Tyrone has been remembered as someone whose "talent, effort and attitude made him stand out as an exceptional player".
John Rafferty, who was a member of the 2020 Tyrone U20 panel and a senior player for Killyclogher GAA, is believed to be the third person killed on the A5 near Beragh in recent weeks.
The 21-year-old was killed in a crash involving a car and a tractor, between Ballygawley and Omagh at around 7.55pm yesterday.
PSNI Inspector Scott Fallis said: "John sadly died at the scene on the Curr Road when the grey Seat Leon he was driving was in collision with a blue New Holland tractor at around 7.55pm on Thursday night."
Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to get in touch.
Two men both lost their lives on the same stretch of road in recent weeks.
Killyclogher GAA said it was "devastated" by the loss of the young player, who was studying to become a quantity surveyor.
In a tribute posted on its social media accounts, the club said John, who lived in Killyclogher, "started playing for our club at a young age where his talent, effort and attitude made him stand out as an exceptional player.
"He developed as a special footballer over the next few years and John went on to captain our Minor team which annexed the County Championship in 2019. His winning-captain’s speech in Loughmacrory that day was quite remarkable and showed a level of maturity and leadership that defied his young age.
"John’s talents subsequently led him to make his Killyclogher Senior Football team debut the next year, and was recognised at county level when he was brought into the 2020 Tyrone U20 panel. He also represented the Tyrone U20s in 2021."
The club said only two weeks ago "John played in the Tyrone Senior League final where he performed with his usual exceptionally high levels of skill, determination and effort.
"Although a younger member of the senior squad, John was admired and respected by all involved because of the pure honesty of his performances, whether that was in training or in matches.
"Although supremely focused in training and match situations, never settling for anything below the best, John was full of fun which will leave a massive gap in our club".
— Killyclogher GAA (@KillyclogherGAA) October 28, 2022
SDLP MLA Daniel McCrossan called for "an urgent intervention before any more lives are lost in this area".
"I understand the political situation and other external factors have held up important work but we need to examine if there are any temporary measures that could make a difference," he said.
"It is heartbreaking to see lives being lost on our roads months after month, with families, friends and whole communities left devastated as a result.
"I have spoken to those who have lost loved ones on numerous occasions and it never gets any easier. We need to see work start on the A5 upgrade without delay, there have been far too many lives lost already."
