Tributes have been paid to an Armagh GAA 'super-fan' and father of three who died suddenly. Aaron O’Neill, 36, took ill at home on Wednesday and was later pronounced dead.
The Portadown man was a familiar face to many in Armagh GAA circles and he took a famous flag to Armagh games going back decades that became something of an institution. The 'Garvaghy Road Orangemen on Tour' banner was carried the length and breadth of the country during Armagh's golden era in the early 2000s when they landed the All-Ireland crown.
The Armagh Fans Twitter account shared the devastating news online. They stated: "This is the hardest post iv ever had to write. It's with such a heavy heavy heart that i announce the untimely death of Armagh super fan Aaron O'Neill. Not only did he travel the country with Armagh, he was joint admin of this page. He loved his county so much.
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"He would have been At every game with the Garvaghy Road Orangemen Flag. His daughter Caitlin represented the county at underage level and that brought him so much pride. I am broken. The Portadown community are broken. RIP Brother."
On Saturday, O'Neill - also a huge Cliftonville supporter - had watched his daughter Caitlin and her Ballyhegan Davitts GAC team lift the Intermediate Championship at Abbey Park in Armagh.
In a statement on their Facebook page, Ballyhegan Davitts GAC said: “Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with our senior player Caitlin McCormack on the sudden passing of her beloved dad Aaron.
“Aaron was Caitlin’s number one fan and a great supporter of our ladies team. He was so proud to see Caitlin playing in the championship final at The Athletic Grounds last Saturday and her lifting the cup.”
The Armagh Ladies association posted: "Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with our minor captain Caitlin McCormack on the sudden passing of her beloved dad Aaron. We extend our most heartfelt sympathy to the wider family circle and friends of Aaron. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
Armagh All-Ireland winner and SDLP councillor Justin McNulty also paid tribute, saying: "So sorry for your family’s loss. The flag was iconic and Aaron’s joyous fandom was infectiously positive and enjoyed by players and supporters all over Ireland."
His brother and fellow Orchard hero Enda McNulty tweeted: "RIP Aaron. May you rest happy and in peace and may your memories live strong in your Orchard clan."
Sinn Fein Mp Michelle Gildernew said: "I’m so sorry for your loss. Sincere condolences to the O’Neill family, Aaron’s friends and the #GarvaghyRoad and @Armagh_GAA community. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
A death notice said Mr O’Neill was the beloved husband of Rebecca (Becky), loving daddy of Caitlin, Saorla and Cushla, dearly loved son of Deirdre and the late Seamus, dear brother of Tracy and Cathy and a much loved uncle.
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