The daughter he never got to see: partner of late bike ace Dunlop has a baby girl
“THERE is no question Daddy would have been besotted... Grateful for two precious girls who are keeping my heart beating.”
These are the poignant words used by the partner of the late Co Antrim road racer William Dunlop to announce the birth of the couple’s second child four days ago.
Janine Brolly, already mum to their two-year-old daughter Ella, was almost seven months pregnant when the 32-year-old sportsman was killed during practice for the Skerries 100 road races in Co Dublin on July 7.
It was the latest tragedy to befall the legendary Dunlop dynasty, following the deaths of William’s uncle Joey and father Robert, both of whom died doing what made the Armoy brothers world famous.
Turning to social media to announce the good news, Janine, now a proud mother of two girls, revealed that she has yet to decide on a first name for the new arrival.
“We welcomed our second little girl into the world on Saturday afternoon,” she wrote on Facebook.
“She has the most amazing big sister and there is no question that Daddy would have been besotted. Name still to be decided but we are just all settling into life together at home.
“Grateful for two precious girls who are keeping my heart beating. Jan x.”
William, whose younger brother Michael is understood to be considering his future in the thrilling but dangerous sport, had been making his return to competition when he died, having pulled out of this year’s Isle of Man TT to be with Janine.
Following the death of the hugely popular racing star, longterm partner Janine paid an emotional tribute on his official website, recalling his reaction when he held their eldest daughter Ella for the very first time.
“The day that Ella was born I looked at him when they placed her in his arms and I watched him fall in love,” she said.
“That will always be my most treasured memory. I don’t think he could believe that surge of love himself.”
Janine also said that their family
“was our complete universe”.
She added: “William never let me down, he stepped up and looked after us so incredibly well. I knew that he would always put his family first, and in turn, William knew how much we absolutely adored him.”
In the heartfelt post a grieving Janine also promised to tell their children about their precious father in the years to come.
“One day I will be able to share the incredible memories and achievements with both our children. I will also be able to share the little mundane private memories that made up our family life — all of them are equally as important,” she said.
“They will always know how special Daddy was and how much he loves them. William was a tremendous sportsman, but where he really shone brightest was as a father. I promise that they will always know that.”
Hundreds of family, friends and well-wishers congratulated Janine on her wonderful news on Facebook, and her post was viewed several thousand times.
Linda Dunlop, Joey’s widow, wrote: “Congratulations Janine! Another little Princess! William will be so proud of all three of you! Lots of Love Xx.”
Poignantly, another young widow who gave birth to her daughter in August after the death of her sportsman partner, said Janine should “do what she thinks is best and listen to her heart”.
GAA footballer Shaun Mullan died last November when his bicycle was involved in an early morning collision with a van on the Glenshane Road, near the house he had set up with Sinead in Maghera.
“There are no instructions for how to deal with grief,” said widow Sinead, whose daughter Ellen is now 10 weeks old. “I would say to Janine to do what she thinks is best and listen to her heart.”