Heartbreaking tributes are being paid to a talented young GAA player who died in a road crash in Co Tyrone last night.
John Rafferty, aged 21 from Killyclogher, tragically lost his life in a collision involving a car and tractor on the A5 Curr Road near Beragh.
The sports star represented his county Tyrone at Under 20 level, and captioned his local club to the county minor championship in 2019, where his winning-captain's speech is being described as "quite remarkable" and "showed a level of maturity and leadership that defied his young age".
READ MORE: Vicky Phelan pens poignant tribute following death of Lynsey Bennett and shares health update
Just two weeks ago, John played in the Tyrone Senior League Final proudly representing his club Killyclogher, Belfast Live reports.
Paying tribute to the young man, Killyclogher GAA said: “Our club is devastated to announce the tragic passing of our senior player, John Rafferty. Our most sincere and heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with John’s family Felix, Roisin, Clare and Michael, his wider family, his wide circle of friends and his past and current teammates.
“John started playing for our club at a young age where his talent, effort and attitude made him stand out as an exceptional player. Indeed, he captained his Primary School, St. Mary’s, in the Donnelly Cup.
“He developed as a special footballer over the next few years and John went on to captain our Minor team which annexed the County Championship in 2019. His winning-captain’s speech in Loughmacrory that day was quite remarkable and showed a level of maturity and leadership that defied his young age.”
The club went on to say John was "admired and respected" by all who knew him.
“John’s talents subsequently led him to make his Killyclogher Senior Football team debut the next year, and was recognised at County level when he was brought into the 2020 Tyrone U20 panel. He also represented the Tyrone U20s in 2021.
“Only two weeks ago, John played in the Tyrone Senior League Final where he performed with his usual exceptionally high levels of skill, determination and effort. Although a younger member of the senior squad, John was admired and respected by all involved because of the pure honesty of his performances, whether that was in training or in matches.
“Although supremely focused in training and match situations, never settling for anything below the best, John was full of fun which will leave a massive gap in our club.
“Our sorrow, however, pales into insignificance when compared to that of the Rafferty family. We will endeavour to wrap a collective arm of support around them at this time.”
In a statement earlier on Friday, a spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Police can confirm that a man has sadly died following a two-vehicle road traffic collision in Beragh on Thursday, October 27."
Inspector Scott Fallis added: "Officers, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service received and responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision between a tractor and a car in the Curr Road area just before 7.55pm.
"Our enquiries are ongoing and we would ask that anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything, or who may have dashcam footage, contact the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, quoting reference 1731 of 27/10/22."
READ NEXT:
Helmet 'wouldn't have saved' Kilkenny teen killed after being hit by sliotar in tragic accident
Irish woman's coffin falls from helicopter into field as it's flown home
Gardaí update probe after man hit by car on Monaghan road dies of injuries in hospital
Joe Brolly leads tributes to "living legend" former county star and schoolteacher
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
