“THE LADS HAVE found some time, amongst the build-up, to get along and chat with the students here about the whole experience.”
Those were the words of the head of P.E at Wallace High School in Lisburn in the days leading up to the Heineken Cup Final.
In May of this year, Ulster made their first European final in 13 years.
The focus across the province was how to defeat reigning champions Leinster at Twickenham and the Ulster players trained with particular zeal in the preceding days.
Nonetheless, Nevin Spence, Chris Henry and Ian Whitten still found a spare hour to visit their old school and share some of the excitement and anticipation with the staff and pupils.
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In a few days time, students past and present of Wallace H.S will form part of one of the biggest processions the province has ever seen when the funerals of Spence, his brother and his father take place in County Down.
Part of the team
Spence made the step up from schools rugby to All Ireland League action with Ballynahinch and started to create a stir, on the wing,over two seasons before Ulster came calling, in 2010, and a senior cap soon followed.
That year he also travelled to Argentina with Ireland U-20s for the Junior World Cup.
He also received caps for the Ireland Wolfounds team and was elated to get called in to train with the senior international squad in February of this year.
His boundless enthusiasm and a youthful confidence saw him quickly establish himself as a fixture in the matchday 22.
He played 18 times last season and often formed an effective centre partnership with Darren Cave.
Within hours of the huge tragedy for the Spence family being announced there was an outpouring of grief and of solidarity.
Rugby players from far and wide, such as former teammate Ian Humphreys, England’s Ben Foden and All Black Dan Carter, took to social media sites to express their condolences.
What will be remembered most by those who were lucky to meet the talented 22-year-old was the infectious energy he brought to proceedings and a desire to not only win, but entertain and engage in the process.
I can only guess that the poor young man has passed away, the article say a tragedy has happened in the headline and then tells us nothing very frustrating I will google it now to get the details. MIT this is the case it is a real shame he was a great young player.
So so sad to hear of Irelands & Ulster future rugby hero’s death. My sincere condolenses to his family who not only lost a brother/son but the sorrowful loss of 2 sons/brothers and a husband/Dad is beyond words. RIP.
This is so bloody sad! For a family to lose one child is tough enough, to lose three members doesn’t even fathom imagining. RIP to Nevin, his brother and father and condolences to his family and hoping for a fulsome recovery for his sister!
An enormous tragedy for one family to suffer. May Nevin, his brother & father rest in peace, and may his mother & their families have the strength to overcome such a huge loss.
It’s a very sad day for Ulster and Irish rugby. Deepest condolences to his mother on the loss of her two sons as well as her husband RIP. wishing his sister a recovery to full health in the near future. My thoughts and prayers are with this family at this terribly sad time.
Condolences to the nevin family. I can only imagine the pain and anguish they are going through at the minute. I hope the fact that the sporting family of this country is rallying around in support is of comfort to them in these terrible times.
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A tragedy, a great lost to Ulster and Irish Rugby. RIP and my sympathies and condolences to the Spence family.
This is the time when religious faith is important.
I can only guess that the poor young man has passed away, the article say a tragedy has happened in the headline and then tells us nothing very frustrating I will google it now to get the details. MIT this is the case it is a real shame he was a great young player.
RIP
So so sad to hear of Irelands & Ulster future rugby hero’s death. My sincere condolenses to his family who not only lost a brother/son but the sorrowful loss of 2 sons/brothers and a husband/Dad is beyond words. RIP.
Really puts things into perspective. RIP
This is so bloody sad! For a family to lose one child is tough enough, to lose three members doesn’t even fathom imagining. RIP to Nevin, his brother and father and condolences to his family and hoping for a fulsome recovery for his sister!
A prayer for those who have passed and those who remain RIP
Desperately sad. An incredibly talented player who looked likely to develop a bright future at international. Surreal.
An enormous tragedy for one family to suffer. May Nevin, his brother & father rest in peace, and may his mother & their families have the strength to overcome such a huge loss.
and at such a young age. RIP….
It’s a very sad day for Ulster and Irish rugby. Deepest condolences to his mother on the loss of her two sons as well as her husband RIP. wishing his sister a recovery to full health in the near future. My thoughts and prayers are with this family at this terribly sad time.
Condolences to the nevin family. I can only imagine the pain and anguish they are going through at the minute. I hope the fact that the sporting family of this country is rallying around in support is of comfort to them in these terrible times.