O'Hagan death shocks Antrim GAA

The death of former Antrim footballer Shaun Paul O'Hagan has stunned GAA supporters within the Ulster county.

The 26-year-old was killed in the early hours of yesterday morning when the car he was travelling in left the road outside Cargan in Co Antrim.

A member of the Glenravel Con Magees club, O'Hagan died at the scene of the accident.

The focus of his GAA career was first on hurling - he played in goals in the St Louis team that reached the 1996/97 Ulster Colleges' Mageean Cup final. His performances for the Ballymena school won him an Ulster Colleges' All-Star award.

An All-Ireland Schools 'B' football finalist, O'Hagan helped Antrim's minor footballers reach an Ulster final before he was whisked into the county's senior panel by PJ O'Hare.

Injuries halted his progress but he showed his versatility by lining out in the backs, at midfield and also in the forwards.

Known as 'SPOH' around his club, O'Hagan was "the heartbeat of the senior teams in Con Magees", according to the club's chairman Liam McAuley.

"Shaun Paul took over the responsibility of club PRO a couple of years ago and he was meticulous in the production of the club bulletin every single Friday," added McAuley.

"We just can't imagine life here without him. He was a tremendous role model for the youngsters and a real gentleman, modest and approachable."

O'Hagan's family are heavily involved in Con Magees - his brother Ryan plays for the senior hurlers and footballers, while sisters Kelly and Danielle line out regularly for the camogie teams.