Sunday 16 September 2012

Farm tragedy is Ulster Rugby tragedy

There is a cruel reminder that not everything can go as you plan when you read the last comment made early yesterday on the Nevin Spence Official Facebook page.

"Like milk? ..Everyone likes milk! I'll be updating progress from rugby and life on the farm (and everything in between) over the next few months. Get 'liking' the MilkItNI facebook page to keep up to date!"

By the end of the day that farm was to claim the lives of Ulster's 22 year-old center, his father Noel and brother Graham in a slurry tank incident. Early reports seem to suggest that his father had fallen in trying to rescue a family dog, but when the efforts of his brother Graham ended up with him too falling in Nevin also went to the rescue. Sadly the close knit family ended up losing three of their members in the incident.

Nevin hadn't taken part in the game against Munster on Friday as he was recovering from injury, but had played earlier in the day for the Ulster Ravens against Munster A. He was looking for a return to form to continue to try and play himself into contention for the Irish 6 Nations squad with whom he had trained earlier on in the year.He had turned out in an Ireland jersey for a Barbarians match earlier this year.

As well as being a gifted Rugby player Spence had also representing Northern Ireland U-18s at football and on occasion those football skills proved decisive on the rugby field.

My thoughts, as well as all Ulster and Ireland Rugby fans, are surely with the Spence family who have lost three members in this tragic accident.

 

Update more details on the BBC  even Irish language websites are leading with the story.

Obituary on the BBC website. 

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