THERE is widespread shock and sadness in GAA circles here in Co Donegal tonight after the death of Fermanagh senior player Brian Óg Maguire who died in an industrial accident at a factory in the county today.
It incident took place at his workplace at Quinn’s cement factory in Derrylin at 11am on Thursday.
Maguire played in the Ulster Championship match with Down earlier this year and captained his club, Lisnaskea Emmetts, to victory in the All-Ireland Intermediate Football Championship in 2011.
Club chairman Collie McCaffrey paid tribute to Maguire, who he described as a “superstar” and “the heartbeat of his local community”.
Mr McCaffrey went on: “Brian was involved in an accident over at Quinn’s but we’re not exactly sure what happened yet.
“He was our captain in the 2011 All-Ireland so for a parish like Lisnaskea that would make him a superstar and a heartbeat of the local community.
“To be at the pinnacle of your life and then to have your life cut short is devastating.
“The GAA is like a big family and we’ll be getting together tonight with his family and making sure we help them in any way we can over the coming days.”
Aogán Ó ‘Fearghail, the President of the GAA’s Ulster Council, said he felt “shock and deep sadness” over the death.
“I knew Brian Og who was a committed Gael who represented his Club Lisnaskea Emmetts GAA and his County Fermanagh with great distinction and I had the privilege of presenting him with the Ulster Intermediate Club Championship Cup in 2011.”
He expressed deep and heartfelt sympathy on his own behald and that of the Ulster Council to Mr Maguire’s family circle and club.
“My thoughts and prayers are with them all at this time.
“This tragic event reminds me of the words of Aeschylus “Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.
“Go ndeine Dia trócaire ar a anam dilis,” he concluded.
The Fermanagh County Committee also paid tribute to Mr Maguire and extended their sympathies to parents Brian and Eileen, sisters Roisin and Eimear, and the rest of the family circle.
Meanwhile Dessie Farrell of the Gaelic Players Association said: “It is with great shock that we learned today of Brian Óg’s sudden death.
“Maguire was a central figure in Peter Canavan’s side this year as they gained promotion from Division 4 of the Allianz League.
“He also captained his club side to All-Ireland intermediate honours last year.
“On behalf of the county playing body I would like to offer my sincerest sympathies to Brian Óg’s family, friends and fellow county and club players. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
Fans here in the county have been expressing their sympathy to Mr Maguire’s family on social networking sites.
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