Fans leave floral tributes for rugby star
Ravenhill rugby ground’s towering scoreboard still carried the result that must have had Nevin Spence roaring his heart out on Friday night.
But only 24 hours after he watched his beloved Ulster Rugby team mates beat Munster 20-19, the squad was struggling to grasp the news that he would never grace the pitch again.
A single Ulster flag and a clutch of floral tributes fluttered in the wind as the stadium, that rocked to the screams of 10,000 fans only days ago, today stood silent and empty.
Nevin had not played in the game, but his voice joined those of supporters celebrating a thrilling comeback.
The scoreboard, emblazoned with the memory of their victory, now only underlined the nature of their sudden and cruel loss.
Ravenhill legend David Humphreys, the club’s director of rugby who had watched the 22-year-old player grow from a boy to become a thrilling sportsman, was visibly stunned.
Humphreys is steeped in rugby, but at a hastily-arranged press conference at the ground, he reflected on how life can overshadow sport.
Asked about how the team would face future games, he said: “It’s much too early to think about rugby. I think it’s much too early to think about sport. This is much greater than anything else.
“I think over the next few days, few weeks, it’s about providing support to the different people involved in this.
“There is no doubt, there is a mountain to climb, but we’re not ready to climb that mountain just yet.”
The clutch of floral tributes fastened to a railing near the pitch were within yards of the monument to rugby players lost in the two world wars.
Outside the ground other flowers and scarves were laid on the street as fans of the modern game honoured their lost hero.
Simple notes, spattered by the teaming rain that rattled off the terraces, spoke of the loss of a young life that had given so much, but promised much more.
A tribute taped to Ravenhill’s perimeter wall read: “Ulster rugby lost a star tonight. There are too many words that can be used to describe Nevin Spence.
“To me he was a true Ulsterman, but more importantly, a friend.”
The unsigned note, asked one last thing of the young sports star: “Shine bright over Ravenhill.”
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