Tributes have been paid to a talented Rugby Player from Manchester who has died after being hit by a car in Newcastle at the weekend
Twenty year old Liam O’Connor died in hospital after being hit by a car in the early hours of Saturday morning in Newcastle where he was a student
Liam was an academy player at Sale Sharks
and had just completed his second year at Newcastle University and played for the Newcastle Medics team.
In a tribute the club wrote
Liam played for many years in the Heaton Moor M&J Section following on to represent their colts alongside there senior team before heading off to Newcastle University to pursue his dreams of working in the field of medicine.
Liam won the Heaton Moor player of the season award on multiple occasions and was a consistent match winner for the age group he represented. Liam studied at St Ambrose School and played for the 1st XV; he played every representative age group for Lancashire from U13s through to U18s before joining the Sale Sharks Developing Players Programme and then Sharks’ Junior Academy.
His excellent rugby career started at Didsbury Toc H, before moving to Heaton Moor, Lancashire and Sale Sharks. During his two years at university he represented Newcastle Medics. Every one of those teams and its players had a true star and warrior in their team.
Liam epitomised the spirit of Rugby Union, and always made his parents and team mates proud of his achievements.
Everyone at Sale Sharks is completely heartbroken and our thoughts turn to Liam’s family, Joan, Mike, Sean, and Kathleen.
Rest in Peace Liam, from all at Sale Sharks
