Rufus T Firefly
Well-Known Member
With apologies if this has been mentioned elsewhere on the forum, and I cannot see it, but I feel it important to mark the passing of one of our own.
Aaron O'Neill has been described by those who knew him as a 'super supporter', and when I saw photos of him with the famous Garvaghy Road Orangemen On Tour banner, I instinctively knew that that description of him must be accurate, as that banner seems to be at all Armagh matches everywhere.
I didn't know Aaron, and I don't believe I ever met him, but I was desperately annoyed to hear of his passing, particularly at such a young age. Any photos that I have seen of him, he looked full of the joys of life and very proud of his Armagh roots. It is the Aarons of this world that inspire me - and I'm sure many others - to put so much in, in the way of emotion and pride, into following our team.
There is a wonderful photo of him in today's Irish News, embracing his daughter (after a victory for Ballyhegan ladies), and I understand this young lady is an excellent underage player for both Ballyhegan and Armagh. Right there, you can get an insight into how Aaron has handed on the torch, that will take football forward in our County, as his memory lives on.
Aaron's passing will leave a huge void in the lives of those who knew him, but his passing also leaves Armagh GAA that bit poorer and that impacts us all.
To his wife, children, wider family and friends, I offer my deepest sympathies.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Aaron O'Neill has been described by those who knew him as a 'super supporter', and when I saw photos of him with the famous Garvaghy Road Orangemen On Tour banner, I instinctively knew that that description of him must be accurate, as that banner seems to be at all Armagh matches everywhere.
I didn't know Aaron, and I don't believe I ever met him, but I was desperately annoyed to hear of his passing, particularly at such a young age. Any photos that I have seen of him, he looked full of the joys of life and very proud of his Armagh roots. It is the Aarons of this world that inspire me - and I'm sure many others - to put so much in, in the way of emotion and pride, into following our team.
There is a wonderful photo of him in today's Irish News, embracing his daughter (after a victory for Ballyhegan ladies), and I understand this young lady is an excellent underage player for both Ballyhegan and Armagh. Right there, you can get an insight into how Aaron has handed on the torch, that will take football forward in our County, as his memory lives on.
Aaron's passing will leave a huge void in the lives of those who knew him, but his passing also leaves Armagh GAA that bit poorer and that impacts us all.
To his wife, children, wider family and friends, I offer my deepest sympathies.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
