County Derry Post

A teenage hurling star killed in a car crash earlier this month has been voted player of the year by a top GAA website.

 

Karl McAuley, from Strawmore Road Draperstown, died after his Seat Leon left the road between Draperstown and Tobermore on December 1.

 

Now the 17-year-olds former team mates and opponents have recognised the rising star’s talents by voting him Underage Hurler of the Year on the popular Derry GAA website.

 

Tipped for a bright future, Karl played both hurling and football for his local club, Saint Colm’s Ballinascreen.

 

Michael McMullan, who helps run the website, said the award was a fitting tribute to the tragic teenager.

 

“I think it is a fitting tribute to Karl. He played in the under 16 championship football final last year and was man of the match. He was a much improved player and coming up strong. We have county minor trials next month and he would probably have been one of the Ballinascreen representatives.

 

“I think this is a good way to honour him, it’s a good achievement.”

 

Outgoing county secretary and Ballinascreen clubman Danny Scullion said the award was well earned.

 

“I am delighted that he has been honoured in this way,” he said. “He was a very good sports person at both football and hurling. It’s a reflection of the esteem he was held in, he was a very popular figure.

 “He was also a very clean and honest player, there were no back doors, and he played the game the way it should have been played. And he was popular because of that as well.”