Young GAA star dies in Tanzania
August 17, 2015
Govan Jolliffe-Byrne.
Tributes have been paid to the young Gaelic footballer from Dublin who died tragically in Tanzania over the weekend.
It's understood that 20-year-old Govan Jolliffe-Byrne suffered fatal injuries after falling off a balcony in a nightclub in Tanga Townin. He had been backpacking around East Africa for the last three months.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to the young man's family in Portmarnock.
Govan was a star player with his local GAA club Naomh Mearnog. He also represented Ireland at the chess world championships in 2012.
"He had a smashing attitude and was a real character who lifted the team and was just a really nice lad," his former team manager Cormac Sugrue told the Irish Daily Star.
Naomh Mearnog has also paid tribute to the popular youngster, describing him as the "soul of the party".
Our thoughts are with the family & friends of Govan Byrne . A tragic and extremely sad loss to our senior footballers. #RIPGOVAN
- Naomh Mearnog (@naomhmearnog) August 16, 2015
Govan byrne a true legend always the the soul of the party & everyone's friend you will never be forgotten pic.twitter.com/KodQuDak3O
- Naomh Mearnog (@naomhmearnog) August 16, 2015
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