Rugby fans flock to ground to pay tribute to Nevin

They had streamed through the gates of Ravenhill many times before, but never for an occasion like this.

Ulster Rugby supporters usually bounce into the atmospheric east Belfast ground brimming with excitement ahead of a big match. Yesterday they entered at solemn pace; hearts full of sorrow, faces etched in disbelief.

Those who had watched Nevin Spence’s rising star burn brightly on the Ravenhill turf, returned to pay their respects, struggling to comprehend that it had been so cruelly and suddenly extinguished.

Their tributes were not for Nevin alone, with brother Graham and father Noel also in the thoughts of fans who left flowers, hung shirts and scarves and signed the books of condolence for all three victims of Saturday’s accident at the Spence family farm.

Some wept openly, others fell into the arms of friends in search of comfort.

It came after Emma Spence, the sister of Ulster Rugby’s Nevin Spence, has been released from Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital for the effects of inhaling fumes following the weekend slurry tank tragedy.

Her two brothers and father were overcome by gas after falling into the tank at their farm on in Hillsborough, Co Down, at about 6pm on Saturday.

The talented 22-year-old rugby player died along with his 30-year-old brother, Graham, who was married with two children, and their father Noel, 52.

All day the sea of tributes grew at the famous old Memorial Clock end.

As well as leaving tributes at the pitch, supporters penned their own thoughts and prayers in two books of condolence inside the offices of Ulster Rugby.

Deputy first minister Martin McGuinness visited to sign, as did his erstwhile ministerial colleague at Stormont, former first minister Ian Paisley.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore and Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers also came to pay their respects.