'I knew Caolan would be proud looking down'

Killian Lavelle of Monaghan and Niall Devlin of Tyrone during the Allianz Football League Division 1 at O'Neill's Healy Park, Omagh

Tyrone footballer Niall Devlin has spoken about dealing with the tragic loss of his brother following a road accident earlier this year.

Caolan Devlin died in March following a car crash on the notorious A5 road between Omagh and Ballygawley. Niall was training at the nearby Tyrone GAA Centre of Excellence in Garvaghey when the tragedy occurred.

A week after Caolan’s funeral, the 2022 All-Ireland U20FC winning captain made an emotional return to action in Tyrone’s Allianz League victory over neighbours Monaghan, which preserved their Division 1 status.

He recalled in an interview with The GAA Social Podcast this week: "When I heard there was going to be a minute's silence and everyone was going to be lined up, I thought that was a really nice touch and when we lined up it hit me… that was a tough minute.

"The togetherness at the time was nice for me and my family. Once we were all lined up, I knew my family would be proud and Caolan would be even prouder looking down.

"The 70 minutes was tough, by the end of it I was wrecked. Especially in the conditions too. It was brutal that night. We’ve a photo in the house of me, mummy and daddy after that game and I’m covered in muck from head to toe!

“It was a tough night, but one you’ll always remember. I remember the final whistle being blown and I remember Darragh Canavan and ‘Dazzler’ (Darren McCurry) making a bee-line for me. It was a nice moment.

"Credit to the Monaghan players who came up and offered their condolences too, which I’ll always remember.”