Priest leads tributes to Crossgar teenager who died in accident

Priest leads tributes to Crossgar teenager who died in accident

1 July 2020

A CROSSGAR teenager who was killed in a road crash has been described as a “well-loved, good friend” whom people felt they could turn to, his funeral service heard last week.

Eighteen year-old Samuel McCullough died in the accident at Coily Hill Road outside Killyleagh on Monday of last week.

The former St Colmcille’s High School pupil, who was known by the nickname ‘Sam Man’, was a passenger in a Peugeot 207 that was in collision with a Volkswagen Polo. The accident left six other people injured.

Hundreds of friends had raised over £4,000 in an online campaign to help with the costs of Samuel’s funeral.

Requiem Mass, which was held under Covid-19 restrictions, took place in the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph on Friday.

Father Brendan Smyth said Samuel was “like any lad of his age” and someone who was “interested in the things like anyone else in his peer group”.

Fr Smyth acknowledged that last week’s service was taking place during the coronavirus pandemic and not everyone who wanted to pay their respects to their friend could be present inside the church.

“And so we gather in our church, the immediate family of Sam Man, to place him into God’s care,” the priest said.

“Though many would wish to be inside, there are many more outside the church this morning and those who are listening through the live streaming of Sam Man’s Requiem Mass.”

The priest told Samuel’s loved ones that in the “normal scheme of things” they “should not be sitting here, for Sam Man should be out enjoying his life, as you all should have been”.

He continued: “But that was not meant to be. Sam Man was well-loved, a good friend. Someone whom his friends felt that they could turn to and trust,” he said.

Fr Smyth said Samuel’s mother, Pamela, had told him about one person on whom Sam Man had made a deep and lasting impression and he was sure there were many others.

Following the requiem mass interment took place at Holy Family Cemetery in Teconnaught.

In addition to his mother, Samuel is survived by his siblings Thomas, Chelsea and Catherine, and wider family circle.

The popular teenager was a former footballer in the Crossgar Youth League which has named a trophy in his memory. It will be known as the Sam Man Memorial trophy.

Youth League official Paul Teggart said the organisation’s management committee members were “deeply saddened” to learn of Samuel’s death.

“Sam played in the league for many years and when he won his first trophy he was delighted,” recalled Mr Teggart.

“He also enjoyed going to the league’s shop before or after games and when he became too old to play, he asked if an under 14 section could be started. Sam rounded up enough players for four teams and they played their game on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.”

Mr Teggart said Sam went on to join Kilmore Rec and came with his friends to watch Youth League matches.

He added: “Crossgar Youth League would like to pay tribute to all Sam’s friends and the local community who attended his funeral service. Their support showed just how popular he was.

“If the Youth League is allowed to start again next year, there will be a new trophy in Sam’s honour.”