A GAA player killed in a crash in Co Antrim in which his two young children were also injured had just returned from a trip with his hurling club to New York.
Connor McNeill, from Carnlough, died following a crash at Carnlough Road in Broughshane on Tuesday afternoon, leaving the community in his home village “in a state of shock”.
The 41-year-old was travelling with his two young children in a grey Nissan X-Trail when the single-vehicle crash happened at around 3.30pm.
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said two ambulance crews arrived at the scene alongside the charity Air Ambulance.
“Following assessment and initial treatment at the scene, two patients were brought by ambulance to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children,” they said.
A PSNI spokesperson said Mr McNeill was pronounced dead at the scene and his children are being treated for injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
Mr McNeill played hurling with Glenarm club Shane Ui Neills GAC, and had just returned from a trip with teammates to New York, where they became the first visiting Irish club to play at the city’s famous Gaelic Park grounds.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Mr McNeill, known to teammates as ‘Big Connor’ had said it was a “privilege” to play at the venue.
He was also involved with St John’s Camogie Club in Carnlough, where his daughter Lucy played with the Under 6 members.
A spokesperson for Shane Ui Neills said the club was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the tragic loss of their popular member, who had in recent years taken up coaching roles.
“At this most difficult time we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Emma, young children Lucy and Ollie, to his father and former Shane Ui Neill player and member Hugh, brothers and former players Mark, Seamus, Dan, Hugh Pat and sister Annette and the whole McNeill family,” they said.
Mr McNeill’s family is “steeped in the tradition” of the club, the spokesperson said.
Speaking of the recent trip to the States, they said: “Connor was his usual fun loving, larger-than-life character and thoroughly enjoyed the experience but couldn’t wait to get back to Lucy, Ollie and Emma making sure he had bought plenty of presents for them all.
“The passing of Connor will have a profound impact on our club, but we will all come together as the GAA family does first and foremost to support Emma and the wider family at this unimaginably sad time.”
They added: “Everyone in the community is just asking how they can assist and what needs done and whilst the funeral and days ahead will be difficult for all concerned, we shall come together to demonstrate and express the love and regard that everyone had for the man who will always be known as Big Connor.”
Mid and East Antrim Sinn Féin councillor James McKeown told the Irish News that Carnlough has been left “numb” by the tragedy.
“The entire village is in a state of shock at the news,” Mr McKeown said.
“Connor was a very, very popular young man and people are just numb after hearing what has happened. They can’t take it in,” he said.
“He lived for his family, his wife and children who he adored. Connor was also very well known in GAA and soccer circles, and loved both sports. He proudly represented Shane O’Neill’s just last week in America.
“It’s just awful, tragic news, and as a community we are praying for the recovery of his children.
“Our thoughts are with Connor’s wife at this desperately sad time.”
