Nevin-Spence-Obituary

Nevin Spence

Obituary

HILLSBOROUGH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Nevin Spence, an Ulster rugby player tipped for a promising future with Ireland's national team, has died in an accident at his family farm. He was 22.

Ulster Rugby confirmed Sunday the "tragic death" of Spence, who died along with his father and brother after falling into a slurry tank at a farm in Hillsborough in the Northern Irish region of County Down on Saturday.

Spence's sister, Emma, is recovering in hospital from the effects of fume inhalation. She and Nevin were reportedly attempting to rescue their brother Graham and father Noel, who had already fallen into the tank.

"Nevin was a wonderful player but also a wonderful person," Ulster Rugby chief executive Shane Logan said. "He was well liked by everyone who knew him and his loss will be deeply felt by his teammates and everyone at Ulster Rugby."

A tough-tackling center, Spence never played a test match for Ireland's senior team but was called up to its training squad during last season's Six Nations competition. He featured for Ireland in a match against the Barbarians in May.

He played three times for Ireland Wolfhounds, the country's reserve side, and was a regular in the Ulster squad, making 42 appearances in total.

Rory McIlroy, the top-ranked golfer from Northern Ireland, and New Zealand flyhalf Dan Carter were among the leading figures in the world of sport to send tributes to Spence.

"Just heard the tragic news of Nevin Spence and his family. Makes you cherish every day you have on this Earth," McIlroy said in a Twitter post.

Spence, who was named Young Player of the Year at the Irish Rugby Union Players' Association awards last year, played for Ulster on Friday in a reserve-team game against Munster in Belfast.

"Nevin was an outstanding young player which was evident from his progression through the representative ranks and the game has been robbed of a very talented young man," Irish Rugby Football Union president Billy Glynn said in a statement.


Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

my heart aches for the family of nevin , lets pray that no one suffered.

May god b with you and your family

May the God of heaven be with the family at this trying time.

bravest man you will never be forgotten a great player and son and brother,heaven is blessed by your presence.

Thoughts prayers and love in this very difficult time.

You are now with our Lord Jesus Christ..The Koppelman's loved and adored you

May the love and care of others encircle you in your time of loss. Know that many unknown people send thoughts and prayers to the Spence Family in this time of tragedy.

May you find comfort in knowing that many people around the world are saddened by the magnitude of the loss you are faced with. God Bless you and hold you during this difficult and tragic time.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May the peace of God that excels all thought bring you comfort during this most difficult time. Phillipians 4:7