GAA PRESIDENT Christy Cooney has led the expressions of sympathy to the family of Garda Ciarán Jones, the Wicklow footballer who was lost his life in tragic circumstances during Monday night’s heavy flooding.

The Kilbride native was a highly-valued member of his local club and spent two years, in 2007 and 2008, with the Wicklow senior football team; he had also refereed at juvenile level with his club. Garda Jones died while assisting a motorist at a damaged bridge near Kilbride during the flooding.

“He lost his life doing what he did every day, looking out for others, and it is a tribute to the character of the man that he was off duty on Monday night when he got into difficulty,” said Cooney, who is in Australia for the International Rules series. “Ciarán’s passing has struck a chord with everyone, including those of us here in Australia. Speaking to those who knew him, he was highly regarded, a free spirit, the life and soul of his club and someone who energised people. I offer my heartfelt condolences to this family and wide circle of friends and of course his club.”

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) offered their condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and team-mates of Jones, who was a member of the GPA during his time on the Wicklow senior football panel.

“Ciarán was a real gentleman, a person who was always in good humour, always had a smile on his face,” said Paddy Dalton, the GPA representative with the Wicklow footballers. “He was an excellent footballer, very skilful and an excellent free-taker, he had great style and as our former manager Mick O’Dwyer said, he had a great strike of a ball. I watched him with Kilbride in Baltinglass a few weeks back. I think he kicked most of his side’s scores that day, nine or 10 points.”

Dessie Farrell, GPA chief executive, said: “I would like to offer my sincerest sympathies to everyone involved with Ciarán. His bravery in the face of great danger reflected the type of character he was.”

Wicklow footballers will form a guard of honour this evening at St Brigid’s Church, Manor Kilbride.