Tragedy hit the Monaghan U20 team on Friday night, when their 19 year-old captain Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh died following a two car collision on the N2, near Tullybuck.
On Friday July 16th, the Monaghan U20s Gaelic Footballers played Donegal in the Ulster Under 20 Championship Semi Final in Brewster Park, Enniskillen, Co.Fermanagh, at 8 o’clock.
Starting out at left wing back, wearing the Number 5 shirt, Brendan proudly captained his Monaghan side to a comeback victory against Donegal. Having trailed by five points at half-time, Donegal 0-09 Monaghan 1-01, within 10 minute of resumption, Monaghan drew level and went on to win Monaghan 3-10 Donegal 1-11.
Delight turned to tragedy only hours later – when at approx. 11:30pm, travelling back from the match, the car Brendan was travelling in – was involved in a fatal collision.
Shockwaves have been felt throughout the Monaghan town community, County and GAA world following such sad news.
Nicknamed Ógie, Brendan's Monaghan Harps club were devastated by the news that broke late on Friday night, that their star from the U20 team has been tragically taken from us, stating
“Our club is devastated at the news of the untimely death of our senior player and county U-20 captain Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time. All club activity has been postponed until further notice.”
Our club is devastated at the news of the untimely death of our senior player and county U-20 captain Brendan Óg Ó Dufaigh. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very sad time. All club activity has been postponed until further notice. pic.twitter.com/GUCZLeI9WA
— Monaghan Harps GAA (@MonaghanHarps) July 17, 2021
Tributes have been paid by clubs near and far as well as county GAA Boards, individuals and groups.
Leitrim GAA, Kerry GAA, Monaghan LGFA, Monagha GAA, Naomh Séamas GAC, Antrim; Cremartin Shamrocks GAA Monagahan, Williamstown GAA Club Galway, and Dublin’s St. Oliver Plunkett Eoghan Ruadh GAA Club are just some of the dozens of clubs and County boards paying tribute.
On Saturday the Monaghan seniors faced Armagh in the Senior Gaelic Football Championship, following which Monaghan’s Ryan Wylie offered a tribute to Brendan Óg.
🗣️ "That's the way he would have played - with heart"
Ryan Wylie dedicates @monaghangaa's win over @Armagh_GAA to the late Brendan Óg Duffy.
More 👉 https://t.co/BXmyQmjpRN#BBCGAA #GAA pic.twitter.com/GlUq5xO4Ki— BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) July 17, 2021
GAA President, Larry McCarthy, has offered his and the Association’s condolences to the family
"It's heart-breaking,” said McCarthy.
“Our condolences to Brendan, his parents Brendan and Esther, and his two sisters Claire and Áine in particular. But also to his club Monaghan Harps and to the wider Monaghan GAA family.
"Unfortunately that's the second death in Monaghan in a week because Phil Traynor, one of their sponsors, died the previous week in Rockland in New York.
"So our heart goes out to both families and the broader GAA family in Monaghan as well."
Brendan’s funeral Mass will take place Wednesday, 21st July in St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan at 11.00 am followed by burial in St. Joseph’s Old Cemetery, Latlurcan.
He will repose at his home from Monday evening at 6pm until the cortege will leave his home at 10.15am on Wednesday morning.
Due to government guidelines, wake and funeral will be private to family and friends.
Brendan’s local GAA club Monaghan Harps has opened up a Book of Condolences, stating: “As Ógie’s home is private to family and close friends the Monaghan Harps Club have very kindly offered to open a book of Condolence at their club at Rooskey Vale
H18 YC94 Monaghan, tomorrow evening (7-10pm) & Tuesday (6-9pm). This will be run in strict adherence to GAA and Public Health Covid-19 guidelines”
