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Club turns out to support Ryan Doyle Appeal

09 December 2012

Aghaderg/Ballyvarley GAA club has raised more than a thousand pounds to help towards the cost of repatriating the body of a Co Down Gael who died following an incident in Australia recently.

Club members made donations to help with the cost of repatriating the body of Ryan Doyle.

The 25 year old, who played for Liatroim Fontenoys near Castlewellan, died following an incident involving a taxi in Perth last month.

The dead man’s mother, Jeannette Sands, is from Ballyvarley and was a former treasurer of the Aghaderg club.

The clubrooms were opened on Sunday to accept donations and there was a strong turnout in support of the Doyle family.

Club chairman Donal Moran said everyone empathised with young man’s relatives.

``It’s very difficult for any family who loses a loved one. That hurt is exacerbated when it happens so far away from home and people feel hopeless.

``Like many other clubs we’ve had players who’ve emigrated to Australia due to the economic situation.

``They have been welcomed with open arms by the GAA family in Australia and we’re very appreciative of that.

`` The wider GAA family in Down is now playing its part in helping the Doyle family and we’re pleased to be able to contribute in a small way to that.```