Armagh Gaelic club mourns loss of gifted player in road smash

THE death of a talented Gaelic footballer in a horror road crash has been described as a “terrible tragedy for GAA”.

Brian ‘Bob’ Hearty from Co Armagh was killed in a single vehicle collision in Co Louth.

The car he was driving struck a wall at Rathmore, Kilkerley, outside Dundalk, at around 12.20am on Sunday.

Mr Hearty — a past pupil of St Joseph’s High School, Crossmaglen — was pronounced dead at the scene.

The son of Gerard and Carmel Hearty, of Drummill Road, Silverbridge, Newry, Mr Hearty was a senior player and forward with Silverbridge GFC.

Club secretary Jarlath Burns described his death as “a terrible tragedy for the whole neighbourhood and GAA”.

“GAA is at the centre of this community and Brian was very much part of our club,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.

“The Hearty family is highly respected within the club. It is a tradition that they sponsor the

Collision: Brian ‘Bob’ Hearty

14s. You would see them at all the games.”

He indicated that Silverbridge members will form a guard of honour at Mr Hearty’s funeral, in conjunction with pupils from St Paul’s High School in Bessbrook, the school at which mum Carmel is a classroom assistant.

Mr Burns continued that Mr Hearty had taken part in an annual charity lorry run in Crossmaglen on Saturday — the day of his 26th birthday.

He added that he had a unique talent of “just making things happen” on the pitch.

“Not every player has that ability,” he commented, adding: “He went out on his birthday to do a good deed and then this happens.”

An under-21s match against Armagh Harps on Sunday was postponed as a mark of respect.

A spokesperson for the Gardai said: “Gardai in Dundalk are investigating a single vehicle fatal road traffic collision that occurred in Co Louth on October 29.

“The collision occurred on the Dundalk to Castleblayney road, three miles outside Dundalk, at Rathmore, Kilkerley, at approximately 12.20am.

“The car crashed into a wall and the male driver, the sole occupant in the car, was seriously injured in the collision. He was pronounced dead at the scene.”

Mr Hearty’s body was transferred to Louth Co Hospital in Dundalk.

The road was closed to enable a forensic collision examination to take place.

Gardai appealed for witnesses or anyone with any information to contact Dundalk Garda Station.