C.L.G. COILL AN CHLOCHAIR N. MHUIRE
CLUB STATEMENT
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.
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.
All club activities are cancelled until further notice. Details on arrangements to follow.
D’imigh tú i mbláth na hóige, ar Sholas na bhFlaitheas go raibh d’anam – You departed in the bloom of youth, may your soul be granted the Light of Heaven.
