Tribute to referee who died during game at Grammar School

Bill Jennings (66), who was also honorary secretary of Armagh Rugby Club, collapsed just as he had blown for a line-out in the friendly game with Omagh Academy.

St John Ambulance were at hand and along with the emergency services did all they could to revive Mr Jennings, but with no success. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Principal Kieran Mulvenna extended sympathy on behalf of the Board of Governors, staff and pupils to the family of Mr Jennings, a father-of-three, whose funeral was due to take place on Wednesday at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.

In a statement to the TIMES on Tuesday, Mr Mulvenna said: “We held an assembly for all staff and pupils on Monday morning to remember Mr Jennings, to offer prayers for his immediate family, and to provide stability for pupils in the days ahead.

“The 1st XV rugby team have expressed their wish to represent the school at Mr Jennings’ funeral and they will (cont’d six) be accompanied there by the rugby staff and myself. Once again we offer our sincere condolences to the Jennings family on the loss of a husband, father and grandfather who, by all accounts, was one of nature’s gentlemen.”

Immediately after the tragic incident, the headmaster contacted the boys’ parents to reassure them of the school’s support and to offer professional counselling to any pupil who might benefit from it.

Mr Mulvenna added: “Witnessing death is a trauma for any of us but particularly so in such sudden circumstances, and for young men who may so far have been spared its touch. The boys behaved with tremendous dignity in the face of such a sad and fraught situation, and I am deeply grateful to my PE staff, Mr Neal Kennedy and Mr Gareth McClintock, who were first at hand and had to deal with events as they initially unfolded.”