Nevin Spence

[blackwarrior]

Just to let people know - following Thomond78's suggestion that we might send a wreath or make some other gesture, we're working on a mycharity.ie page to which munsterfans (or anyone else) can donate. Hopefully it'll be live tomorrow - just have to check a couple of details with Ulster Rugby first. I'll set up a separate sticky thread once it's sorted.

I see it's live. Well done guys - I found it after a re-tweet by Munster Rugby. I've made a small donation for the first time directly to this charity. Thank you to the Spence family for nominating it.

[Waterfordlad]

I noticed on the Northampton website that they will observe a minutes silence for Nevin at the ir home game against Warriors. Fair play to all concerned:

Supporters attending the game should not that there will be a minute's silence before kick off in respect of Ulster player Nevin Spence, his brother and father, who died in a tragic accident last week.

[Old Dog]

BBC NI last night mentioned that Munster and Leinster fans were going to sing suftum after a min silence at matches this wkend.

Sky Sports' "The Rugby Club" also referred to this last night - it appears that a number of clubs (Rabo and/or APL) will also be doing it. They also had a good video montage of Nevin that showed him playing for both Ireland and Ulster (the try V Bath and a good hit from the HEC game where Ulster crushed Leicester).

[colinm]

Here's a link to the piece on 'Darnell the Destroyer' (words by Steven Ferris) from the Rugby Club: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cbwDQfR ... e=youtu.be


First time I've posted here since last Saturday and may I say it warms the heart to see, hear and receive the kind words of rugby men and women across this island. Its great to hear that there will even be one or two red shirts up at Ravenhill on Sunday and that the four provincial squads will be in attendance.

Thank you to all the fans who have said prayers and made tributes and well done to those who set up the charity collection. What scant comfort for the family, but comfort nonetheless.

[No Bother]

I have had problems with my login so apologies for the delay in my post. My heartfelt condolences to the Spence family on their loss. RIP.

[Kevy-Wevz]

SUFTUM after the minutes silence at the RDS

[born to hula]

Brilliant SUFTUM from Leinster fans

[scrum5]

Would like to thank again the Red Army for an impeccible minutes silence in memory of Nevin, Noel and Graham Spence, your kind words, thoughts and prayers for the people of Ulster at this time has been a credit to yourselves you indeed are one of the best set of fans in the world......

[fermain]

I would also like to simply express on behalf of the Moderators and Posters on UAFC how sincerely we appreciated the minutes silence and SUFTUM sentiment from you guys on Sat. The loss of Nevin, Graeme and Noel Spence has been devastating for us all. The numbers of messages of support left on the site and what you did on Saturday means a lot. In a world which increasingly seems to have few values left the support of good rugby people in difficult times is a comfort.

I trust you will forgive the sentiment if I leave you with this memory of what Nevin had and what he may have become.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-du8pzXJ ... ata_player


Thank you and good luck for the rest of the season.

[mr chips]

Called down to the memorial service in Ravenhill today - the Promenade and the entire stand behind it were bunged. Was wearing my Munster jersey and a number of folk made a point of saying thanks for turning up. Saw a couple of other folks wearing Munster jackets there as well and there were some of our scarves, flags and jerseys amongst the mementos, flowers etc.

[LastKnight]

Guys, I have finally got around to getting back onto MF and just wanted to add my sincere thanks. Fermain has very eloquently said what a lot if us were thinking. The genuine sincerity and compassion from fellow Rugby people was at times overwhelming. For all our provincial differences and banter it has been a comfort to be part of the big rugby family this past week. Thanks guys.

[Piquet]

Matt Williams in Today's Irish Times.

[Tobyglen]

Matt Williams in Today's Irish Times.

Good article From Matt.

[mr chips]

Just want to say well done and thank you so far to everyone who has honoured Nevin's memory by donating to the IRFU Charitable Trust through the link in my sig - there's €350 euro in there already, which I think is fantastic, especially in such straitened times.

[LastKnight]

Just want to say well done and thank you so far to everyone who has honoured Nevin's memory by donating to the IRFU Charitable Trust through the link in my sig - there's €350 euro in there already, which I think is fantastic, especially in such straitened times.

Thanks for that mr chips. As you may have seen on UAFC I've been plugging the Trust as well. Could I also add to your efforts by pointing out that you can become a "friend" of the trust as well. Very worthwhile cause which has distributed over 200,000 euro to seriously injured players to help with mobility and other issues.

[taz]

Just want to say well done and thank you so far to everyone who has honoured Nevin's memory by donating to the IRFU Charitable Trust through the link in my sig - there's €350 euro in there already, which I think is fantastic, especially in such straitened times.

Fair play.But possibly as a website it might teach us how we should approach how we honour our own going forward?

[déiseman]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/19869446

A tribute to Nevin which was shown on BBC before the Ulster - Connacht game.

[taz]

Spence family slurry deaths: Inquest hears tragic details

Details have emerged of how three members of the Spence family died during an accident at their farm outside Hillsborough last year.

They were revealed during the inquest into their deaths.

Ulster rugby player Nevin Spence, his father Noel and brother Graham died after entering a slurry tank on their farm on 15 September, 2012.

The inquest heard that Graham Spence was the first to enter the tank in an attempt to rescue a dog.

After being told the dog was in the tank, Graham got a ladder and dropped it down a manhole into it.

He then went down into the tank which had about four feet of slurry in it.

The hearing heard after about 20 seconds of Graham calling for the collie dog he came back up the ladder, but as his head was just at the level of manhole, he fell back into the tank.

Nevin went in after him and he too became overcome by the slurry fumes before their 58-year-old father Noel went down the ladder and also lost consciousness.

Friends, neighbours and family members, including Mrs Ismay Spence, all tried to get the men out of the tank.

Emma Rice, a sister of the two brothers who had just left the house, returned after seeing cars speed up to it.

In her statement which was read out to the court, she said she heard someone say "they are all in the tank".

She went down into the tank and managed to find her father and pulled him up the ladder with the help of others.

She then started first aid on him before going back into the pit.

Emma found her 30-year-old brother Graham in the darkness and had started to pull him up the ladder when she felt faint and lost consciousness.

A neighbour rescued her and Graham was also eventually pulled out.

A fire officer with breathing apparatus found Nevin and the dog in the tank.

'Love of your family'
Noel and Nevin were pronounced dead at the scene, while Graham was taken to Lagan Valley Hospital where he later died.

Emma was treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital and when the coroner John Leckey asked how her health was now, she replied "I have a few pains but as my dad would say, it's far from my heart".

Mr Leckey asked was she aware of the dangers of what she did and she said "Yes, but when it comes to the love of your family..."

She went on to thank those who rescued her.

Mr Leckey said her actions and the rescue attempts by others were very brave.

There are more than 25 witnesses to give evidence during the inquest which is due to finish on Tuesday.

Among those to be called will be immediate members of the Spence family, friends, neighbours - many of whom have known the family for years.

Members of the emergency services are also to give evidence along with the NI Heath and Safety Executive.

The inquest has now been adjourned for the day.

Nevin Spence, who was 22, was considered one of the up-and-coming stars of the Ulster team and had been widely regarded as a future Ireland international.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21222046

[Corcíoch]

Still makes for horrific reading.

[munstershane]

Jesus. Doesn't bear thinking about. Harrowing

[anthonyl]

Still incedibly sad to read. I hope the 15 men in green will take a minute before Saturday's match starts to recall their colleague and friend before going into battle.

[LeakyBoots]

Jesus, that's hard reading

[blackwarrior]

[SecondRowGal]

Is that for real? Great idea and lovely gesture.

[Hugged Rugger]

very good

[Red Hand Hero]

A nice and fitting touch, all the more so considering he won it just two short years ago if I am not mistaken.

[the plastic paddy]

Really nice touch that.