A True GAA Hero

Lemlin

Very sad story of a player from the townland next to mine in Cavan. Colm O'Rourke mentioned it yesterday before the game.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0807/1224252149328.html

A FORMER Cavan minor and under-21 goalkeeper was one of two young men who drowned in a tragic accident in a lake in the county.

Simon Delaney (21), from Killinkere, Virginia, became trapped when he went to the rescue of a party of six people whose boat overturned on Lough Gallon, a small lake popular with local anglers, on Wednesday evening.

The other man was named locally as Matthew Gibbons (20), a courier from Dorset Street, Dublin, who had also attempted to rescue the people struggling in the water.

His cousin Pamela O’Rourke, who left flowers at the lakeside, said the family were devastated. Mr Gibbons’s brother died of adult sudden death syndrome two years ago. “We can’t believe he’s dead. He only went up to Cavan yesterday to visit a friend,” she said.

Mr Gibbons was waiting on the lake shore when the boat capsized. His body was recovered from the water by Garda divers yesterday morning.

Fellow rescuer and neighbour Anthony Brady said he and Mr Delaney were driving past the lake on the way to a football match when they saw a group of six people floundering in the water at about 6.45pm on Wednesday.

Mr Brady (27) said: “As we were driving by, he just said, ‘pull up there quick’. I didn’t realise what was going on because you couldn’t see cars there.

“So I pulled in and got out of the car and I saw Simon jumping in the water. There was about six people in the water at that stage. We didn’t see the boat capsized or anything. They were all struggling to get in. Simon went out to the guy that was struggling the most.”

Mr Brady recounted how his friend had gone two or three times to rescue those involved, but the effort had taken its toll.

“Simon had to let go of his lad because he was pulling Simon down. Simon was coming back in and you could see that he was just losing energy.

‘‘ I couldn’t get out to him. It was silty water. You couldn’t swim in it. I couldn’t get out to him. He went down then and was down about five minutes, along with the other lad under the water.”

Two other members of the Killinkere GAA club arrived on the scene immediately, but it was too late to rescue either Mr Delaney or Mr Gibbons.

Mr Delaney was taken to Cavan General Hospital but he died a short time afterwards.

Locals said those who were rescued were a Dublin family who had been living in Ballyjamesduff for about five years. A barbecue and several fishing rods that had been abandoned were taken away yesterday.

Mr Delaney was on his way to watch a junior match for the local GAA club when he saw the people in the water.

He appeared to have become stuck in the reeds near the bank of the tiny lake which is only three hectares in size but extends to a depth of 60 metres in parts.

Mr Delaney had played minor and under-21 for Cavan and was on the Cavan senior panel this year. He had been training to be an electrician, but had been laid off three months ago and was living at home.

Local parish priest Fr Anthony Fagan described him as a “fun-loving, gentle person who was well-respected among his peers within the community”.

His removal takes place at St Ultan’s Church, Killinkere, this evening at 6.30 with funeral Mass tomorrow at 11am.

cruiserweight

Tragic story and an amazing sacrifice to give your life to save others

GAAman

cruiserweight wrote: »

Tragic story and an amazing sacrifice to give your life to save others

Too true man, it didnt say in the article (unless i missed it) that there was a minutes silence at all cavan matches at the weekend

Lemlin

GAAman wrote: »

Too true man, it didnt say in the article (unless i missed it) that there was a minutes silence at all cavan matches at the weekend

I thought they should have had a minute's silence at the matches in headquarters yesterday.

GalwayDub2

R.I.P. to them both. An awful tragedy. And god help the poor lad who's parents have lost 2 sons now in tragic circumstances.

Flukey

Yes, it was sad. Condolences to all.

homerjay2005

awful. just simply awful story, may he rest in peace. lost for more words.

parkerpen

Awfully tragic.

GAAman

Lemlin wrote: »

I thought they should have had a minute's silence at the matches in headquarters yesterday.

Very true man, there have been minutes silences for lesser reasons (mothers sisters aunt who made the sandwiches at some random club) ok maybe i am being a bit facetious but this warranted that minutes silence far more

muincav

The Killinkere captain gave a beautiful and very touching speech at Simons funeral and I think it brought everyone to tears...
I would also like to commend the Killinkere club members for all they done at the funeral and for the way everyone was catered for at the community centre, you are a credit to Simon and to your parish....thank you all..

flahavaj

RIP. He died in the most heroic way possible.

Diabhal Beag

It is a great thing to hear about the most selfless act possible and Simon is a hero in my books along with Matthew.


May they Rest In Peace

cournioni

Played against Simon on a number of occasions, he was a very talented keeper who was very quiet and humble any time I've met him. Such a tragedy for anybody to die so young. A truely selfless heroic act by the two lads.

RIP Simon and Matthew.

grenache

They died heroes. May they rest in peace.