Young GAA player dies three weeks after road collision

By Rebecca Black, PA

A young sportsman has died weeks after a road collision in Co Armagh.

Tributes have been paid to the 16-year-old, who has been named locally as Dylan Vallely.

One car was involved in the incident on Sturgan Road in Camlough on Friday, October 27th.

A police spokesperson on Wednesday afternoon said the teenager died on Tuesday, November 14th.

“A 16-year-old boy, who was taken to hospital for treatment to life-threatening injuries sadly passed away on Tuesday evening,” they said.

“He was the back seat passenger in the vehicle.

“The collision involving a black VW Golf, occurred shortly before 10.20pm on Sturgan Road.

“An 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy who were in the front of the car were taken to hospital for treatment to non-life-threatening injuries following the collision.

“A full investigation into the circumstances surrounding what happened is ongoing.

“Officers would appeal to anyone with any information or who may have dash-cam or mobile phone footage available to contact them at the Collision Investigation Unit at Sprucefield on 101, quoting reference number 2021 27/10/23.”

We can confirm a teenage boy has sadly died in hospital following a single-vehicle road traffic collision in Camlough on Friday evening, 27th October. pic.twitter.com/qBmOquci56

— Police Newry, Mourne and Down (@PSNINMDown) November 15, 2023

On Wednesday tributes were paid to Mr Vallely, who played club GAA, by a number of sports clubs on social media.

St Michael’s GFC, where the teenager had been minor player of the year for 2023, said their club is heartbroken.

In a statement on their Facebook page, club chairman Liam Carragher said: “Dylan was a great lad, on and off the pitch, hardworking, talented and with great manners.

“He was well known and loved within not just our club but also in the whole GAA community in south Armagh and further afield.

“At this tough time, foremost in our thoughts are Dylan’s family.”

Camlough Rovers FC expressed their deep sadness at his passing, and expressed their sympathy and condolences to his family.

“Dylan, may your gentle soul rest in peace,” they posted in a message on the team’s Facebook page.

St Patrick’s Camogie Club in Cullyhanna described him as a “smart, handsome and such a talented footballer with a bright future ahead of him”.