Sydney crash: Belfast GAA club 'numb' after former player's death

The former coach of a west Belfast man who died after a crash in Australia said his club is "numb and in shock".

Ryan Straney, 27, died in a collision on the Pacific Motorway near Sydney at about 04:40 local time on Monday.

He was in one of three cars struck by a vehicle travelling the wrong way on a section of the motorway.

Three other drivers involved in the incident, including a 96-year-old man, were taken to hospital. Australian police have begun an investigation.

Mr Straney, from the Upper Springfield Road area, played with the Lámh Dhearg GAA club based at Hannahstown in west Belfast.

He played with the club through underage groups and later at senior level before travelling to Australia.

Declan Lynch, who coached and played alongside him, told BBC News NI that he was a "special talent".

"Ryan was a character, chirpy and always had something to say," he said.

"He was a pleasure to coach and a real good teammate."

Brian Smyth, Declan Lynch and Paul Buchanan from Lámh Dhearg GAA club

Paul Buchanan said Mr Straney was a very popular and valued lifelong member of the club.

He added that his death is a "huge loss to the club and a huge loss to the community".

Club chairman Brian Smyth said Mr Straney had graduated with a degree in civil engineering and was travelling to work when the crash happened.

Antrim GAA offered its sincere condolences and said its "thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this deeply sad time".

'Hugely talented footballer'

North Belfast MP John Finucane, who is also a member of the Lámh Dhearg club, said the news of Mr Straney's death was "truly heartbreaking".

He described him as a "hugely talented footballer and hurler".

Mr Finucane said Mr Straney's family are deeply embedded in the club and that news of his death had left the community in "complete shock".

"His family, friends and all of us at Lámh Dhearg are numb and will do all we can to help support his family and each other."