‘He was a great friend’: GAA club launches fundraiser for family of Co Antrim crash victim

Connor McNeill (41), from the Glenarm area, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in Broughshane village shortly before 3.30pm on Tuesday.

Mr McNeill was a life-long member of Shane O’Neill’s GAC in the area, where he had taken on roles as a player, coach, manager and referee.

The club paid tribute to the father-of-two on Wednesday following the crash, describing him as “a dedicated member of our club, a true Gael and a great friend”.

Connor had recently travelled to New York with the club, and was among those who made history as the first club team from Ireland to play in the city’s Gaelic Park.

News of the fundraiser was announced on Thursday via the club’s Facebook page.

"As the community come together at this most difficult time, and look at ways to support Connor’s family, we as a Club have set up a fundraiser,” they said.

“We want to fully support Emma and the kids in their most difficult hour of need.

"We have set up this fundraiser to try and remove any financial burden so that Emma may focus all of her attention to the wellbeing of herself and the kids to get through this challenging time.”

By Thursday night, the fundraiser had raised more than £22,000, more than four times the initial £5,000 target set.

Connor was also an avid football fan and his local club, Carnlough Swifts, paid tribute to him online.

“It is with a very heavy heart that we announce we have lost a Swifts legend, a good friend, a daddy, a husband, an uncle, a brother and a son.

“Connor McNeill was tragically taken from us yesterday in a car accident,” they said.

The club passed on their condolences to the man’s family.

“Our deepest sympathy goes to Connor’s two beautiful children, Lucy and Ollie, and his wife Emma.

“Also to his father Hugh, brothers Mark, Seamus, Dan and Hugh Pat and his sister Annette and also to the wider McNeill family,” they said.

The Carnlough Swifts thanked Connor for all the support he provided the team with over the years.

“Connor was a legend with the Swifts and was an integral part of every trophy won in the last 15 years.

“Everyone in the village and surrounding area will miss Connor’s personality, warmth and sporting opinion.”

Connor was driving a grey Nissan X-Trail on the Carnlough Road when it left the carriageway shortly before 3.30pm on Tuesday.

Two young children, both passengers in the car, were also taken to hospital following the incident.

PSNI Collision Investigation Unit Inspector Adair said: “Carnlough Road was closed for a number of hours following the collision and has now re-opened.

"An investigation is underway and I would ask anyone travelling in the area at the time of the collision to review any dash-cam footage they may have captured and make contact with the PSNI Collision Investigation Unit at Sprucefield by calling 101, quoting reference number 1089 07/05/24.”

"You can also submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/."