The death of a west Belfast GAA player killed in Australia when a driver travelled the wrong way along a motorway has left a community in “deep shock”.
Ryan Straney (27), from the Upper Springfield Road area, died in the early hours of Monday following the collision on Sydney’s M1 Pacific Motorway.
It was reported that a 96-year-old man drove a vehicle south in the north-bound lane of the motorway for at least 10 minutes, causing drivers to swerve to avoid a crash and report the vehicle to police.
A collision then happened at around 4.40am local time, with the elderly driver’s vehicle colliding with two cars and a truck.
Ryan, who was in one of the cars, died at the scene, while the 96-year-old man was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
The driver of the truck, a 35-year-old man, and the 39-year-old driver of the other car, were both treated for minor injuries.
A spokesperson for New South Wales Police said: “An investigation has commenced into the circumstances surrounding the crash. A report will be prepared with the information of the coroner.”
The west Belfast man was a senior Gaelic footballer with club Lámh Dhearg GAC, in the Hannahstown area, and had previously played for the Antrim minors squad.
He moved to Australia to start work as a civil engineer at the end of last year.
A Lámh Dhearg GAC spokesperson said the club and area was in “deep, deep shock at this tragic news”, and would issue a statement at a later stage.
In a statement posted to social media, a spokesperson for Antrim GAA said: “We would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Lámh Dhearg CLG and the entire community on the shock passing of Ryan Straney.
We would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Lámh Dhearg CLG and the entire community on the shock passing of...
Posted by Official Antrim GAA on Monday 15 April 2024
“Ryan was a member of their Senior Football team and has been in Australia. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends at this deeply sad time. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
In tributes online, one friend described Ryan as an “absolute gentleman”.
Another wrote the tragic news had “hit everyone in Hannahstown”.
A funeral notice said Ryan died “as the result of a tragic accident” and described him as the “beloved son of Vincent and Sharon, loving brother to Declan and Calum, cherished grandson of Geordie and Theresa”.
It added: “He will be sadly missed by his wider family circle and friends at home and abroad.”
North Belfast Sinn Féin MP John Finucane previously played alongside Ryan with Lámh Dhearg.
He told the Irish News he and others who knew Ryan were “devastated” to learn of his death.
“Ryan was a valued and loved member of Lámh Dhearg. He was an exceptionally talented hurler and footballer, who played from underage right through to senior, and I am proud to have been a teammate of his,” Mr Finucane said.
“He represented the very best of our club and indeed the GAA, and it’s a tragedy that he has died at just 27.
“Everyone in the club and community is numb and in shock at this news, and we will do all that we can to support his friends and his family now and in the time ahead.”
The tragedy comes just weeks after the death of another GAA player from the north in Sydney.
Clonduff GAC footballer Lorcán Branagan (26), from Hilltown in Co Down, died after being reported missing on a night out in the New South Wales capital last month.
His body was recovered from the water at Sydney Harbour on March 25.
