Mystery as young Irish athlete dies just two days after moving to Australia with his girlfriend
A young Irishman tragically died on Saturday, just two days after he and his girlfriend moved to Australia.
Matthew McGuigan, 24, and his partner Clodagh Corr arrived in Sydney last Thursday evening, but less than 48 hours later Mr McGuigan died suddenly after falling ill.
Country Tyrone, known as Matty, the Cookstown man, played representative Gaelic football in his home country and was already a member of Sydney club Cormac McAnallens.
The club posted online that ‘Matty had only recently arrived in Sydney with his girlfriend Clodagh, and in the short time he spent here he had touched the lives of many who were fortunate enough to have met him.’
Mr McGuigan’s older brother Darragh paid tribute on social media, saying: ‘Forever young, love you forever.
Matty McGuigan is pictured with his girlfriend Clodagh Corr. The young Irish couple arrived in Sydney on Thursday, but McGuigan tragically died on Saturday
Young Irishman Matthew McGuigan (pictured) tragically died on Saturday, just two days after he and his girlfriend moved to Australia
‘I am very grateful to have had you as a brother for 27 years of my life. I don’t know how this happened or why – I will never understand.’
The talented athlete played under-18s for Tyrone in the Irish Football Championship.
The province’s Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) said: ‘Matty’s contributions to his team were nothing short of extraordinary, and his legacy as a player will forever be etched in the hearts of those who were privileged to witness his prowess on the field .
“His dedication to the game and his unwavering spirit have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Kildress Wolfe Tones and the wider community in Tyrone.
“We send our deepest condolences to the McGuigan and Treacy families, to Matthew’s partner and friends,” Tyrone GAA wrote.
Dominic McGurk, chairman of Kildress Wolfe Tones, told the newspaper Belfast Live publication that the entire community was ‘devastated’.
“Matty has been our senior captain for the last two years, he was our leader at 24 years old. He became captain at just 22 years old,” McGurk said.
‘Last Sunday he was manager of our minor team (under 18 years), and he was also on the committee. He was just a real leader.”
Mr McGurk said that after arriving in Sydney, Mr McGuigan and his Mrs Corr ‘sent photos home to their family standing outside together in the sunshine in Australia’.
The couple planned to spend at least six months in Australia to experience a new way of life.
“As much as we didn’t want him to go because he was our captain, it’s nice for people to get out and enjoy life,” McGurk said.
“We didn’t know he would come home under these circumstances.”
As well as Gaelic football, Mr McGuigan also played football for his local club Cookstown Olympic.
Matty McGuigan, pictured with his girlfriend Clodagh Corr, was a talented sportsman
Matty McGuigan, who died in Sydney on Saturday two days after arriving from Australia, is pictured with his brother Darragh
“Matty was a fantastic footballer and an even better person,” the club said in a statement.
a GoFundme A friend of the McGuigan family’s appeal for help had already raised almost four times the target amount by Monday morning.
‘No words can express my sadness and grief when I heard the terrible news of Matty’s passing…I know there is nothing we can do to take away the pain, but I hope that by setting up this page it will help,’ said the friend.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Cormac McAnallens GAA club for comment.