Nevin Spence

Nevin Spence (26 April 1990 – 15 September 2012) was an Irish rugby union player for Ulster in the Pro12. He played as a Centre, but could also play Wing. He was educated firstly at Dromore High School, where he was introduced to rugby, and then at Wallace High School.[1] He played his club rugby with Ballynahinch.[2] He was also a capable footballer, playing for the Northern Ireland U-16's.[3]

Nevin Spence
Date of birth(1990-04-26)26 April 1990
Place of birthAnnahilt, Northern Ireland, UK
Date of death15 September 2012(2012-09-15) (aged 22)
Place of deathHillsborough, Northern Ireland, UK
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
SchoolWallace High School, Lisburn
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre, Wing
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
-2012 Ballynahinch ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–12 Ulster 42 (25)
Correct as of 16 September 2012
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–10
2011–12		 Ireland u20
Wolfhounds		 11
3		 (20)
(0)
Correct as of 16 September 2012

Club career

Nevin rose to prominence at Ballynahinch during the hugely successful 2009/10 season. The club won the Ulster Senior League, Cup, AIL Division 2 and All-Ireland Cup all in a single season. Nevin was also a member of the Ulster Rugby Academy.

Spence first tasted professional rugby against the Ospreys in April 2010. In the little more than two seasons that he played for Ulster he made 42 appearances, despite suffering a number of shoulder injuries, and scored five tries.[4]

International career

He made 11 appearances for the Ireland national under-20 rugby union team, scoring four tries, and played twice at the IRB Junior World Championships.[5] After some strong performances for Ulster and two appearances for Ireland Wolfhounds, he was called up to Ireland's senior training squad for the 2011 Six Nations Championship.[6] His talent was recognised by his fellow professionals in 2011 when he was named Young Player of the Year at the IRUPA Players' Awards. In May 2012 he played for Ireland against the Barbarians in a non-capped game played at Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium.[7]

Death

Spence died, along with his brother Graham and father Noel, in an accident at the family farm in Hillsborough, County Down on 15 September 2012, where they were overcome by fumes in a slurry tank. Spence's sister was treated in hospital and survived the accident.[8][9][10]

They were buried in Inch cemetery, following a joint funeral which was held at the Ballynahinch Baptist Church.[11] As a mark of respect for Spence, a minute's silence was observed at many rugby games in Britain and Ireland the following week.[12] A memorial service was held at Ravenhill Stadium, the home ground of Ulster Rugby, on Sunday 23 September 2012.[13]

References
  1. Thornley, Gerry. "Death of Nevin Spence is a huge loss". The Irish Times.
  2. "Nevin Spence – Rest In Peace". www.irishrugby.ie. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012.
  3. McKinley, Stuart. "Footballing talent saw Manchester City offer Nevin Spence a trial". belfasttelegraph.
  4. Nevin Spence at ItsRugby.co.uk
  5. "Squads: Ireland U20". Irish Rugby. Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  6. "Eleven added to Ireland squad". pro12rugby.com. 8 February 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  7. "Irish Rugby : Ireland : Results & Fixtures : Late Penalty Denies Ireland XV in Gloucester". Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  8. "Ulster star Nevin Spence dies in accident on Co. Down farm". thescore.ie. 16 September 2012. Archived from the original on 17 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  9. "Nevin Spence killed in County Down slurry accident". BBC News. 16 September 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  10. "Nevin Spence's sister gives harrowing evidence of efforts to save rugby star and family who fell into slurry tank"., Irish Independent Retrieved 19 Sept 2020
  11. Funeral of Nevin Spence, BBC. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  12. Minute's silence for late rugby star, u.tv. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
  13. Ravenhill memorial for Nevin Spence, u.tv. Retrieved 16 March 2015.
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