The Fermanagh GAA community remembers the late Shane O'Brien

The Fermanagh GAA community will come together later this year to celebrate the life of much-loved UN worker Shane O'Brien, who died in a tragic road accident in December 2020.

A hugely talented sportsman who played for Fermanagh youth teams and represented Ireland at youth international level has tragically died in Pretoria, South Africa at the age of 35.

Mr O'Brien, from Belleek, was a valued member of the United Nations Refugee Agency and was heavily involved in volunteer work in South Africa at the time of his death.

To mark its fourth birthday, a celebration is planned for December 7th, with GAA clubs from across Fermanagh coming together for the ‘SOB 7s Showdown’, with all proceeds going to the rescue helicopter.

“Erne Gaels Belleek and the O'Brien family invite you to join your family and friends for a great day of Super 7s GAA action in memory of the late Shane O'Brien,” a spokesman said.

Since his death, numerous initiatives have been carried out in honour of the former St Michael's College student. His close friend Ciaran Smith recently raised funds for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

Mr Smith, currently a selector with GAA team Erne Gaels Belleek, ran 10 lengths of the 23 GAA pitches in the county in December 2022 to celebrate Mr O'Brien's commitment to the sport.

“He will not be forgotten in any part of the community, and we wanted to show [the late Shane O’Brien’s parents] “Siobhan and Tommy, we will always be there for you,” Mr Smith said earlier.

“Everyone was there, either friends, schoolmates of Shane, teammates in Fermanagh, former teachers or parents who might have known Shane indirectly.

“It was a pleasure to see them all,” he told the Herald.

GAA teams from across Fermanagh can enter the SOB 7s Showdown on December 7th by contacting [email protected] by the deadline of November 20th.

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Posted: 11:52 am, September 19, 2024