Tributes pour in for Derry footballer Aaron Devlin who lost his battle with meningitis this evening

Derry footballer Aaron Devlin has tragically passed away this evening.

The 23-year-old was admitted to hospital after falling ill during a club game last week and has lost his battle with the brain virus Meningitis. His club Ballinderry confirmed the news today.

We are sad to inform that Aaron Devlin has sadly passed away, please continue to pray and support Aarons family at this sad time. #RIP #HERO

— BallinderryShamrocks (@BallinderryGAC) July 30, 2015

A popular player, it didn't take long for online tributes to pour in for Aaron.

RIP @Aaron_Devlin! This is the dook I'll always remember! 'TOB give it to the shooters kid!' #gonetoosoon #godbless pic.twitter.com/rl0NG6onof — Terence O'Brien (@TerenceOBrien) July 30, 2015

Gone too soon. It's been a privilege and an honour to have known you, let alone played alongside you. Band of brothers @Aaron_Devlin

— michael bell (@delpieromick) July 30, 2015

The unimaginable happened this pm @BallinderryGAC have lost @Aaron_Devlin.A true warrior to end! So sorry For wonderful Devlin family #Azza — Stephen McGeehan (@mcgeehanstephen) July 30, 2015

Unbelievably sad news from Ballinderry. It's a cruel world that takes away one so young, talented and full of life. RIP Aaron Devlin

— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) July 30, 2015

RIP @Aaron_Devlin ..our loss is heavens gain!! Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends and the whole @BallinderryGAC community — Patrick Mc Neill (@PaddyMcNeill15) July 30, 2015

Our Sincere condolences to the entire family circle,friends and club members @BallinderryGAC on the passing of Aaron Devlin... May he R.I.P

— Official Down GAA (@OfficialDownGAA) July 30, 2015

Nothing less than utter respect for @Aaron_Devlin. You'll be missed big man! #RIPAaron — Odie Devlin (@OdieDevlin) July 30, 2015

RIP to a legend of a man. Going to miss trying to keep kickouts away from you big man. Rest easy dog. @Aaron_Devlin #truegentleman

— Conor McLarnon (@C_McLarnon) July 30, 2015

Heart goes out to the family and friends of Aaron Devlin and to the entire bderry community. Absolutely devastating — Caoimhe Mulholland (@cevzmul) July 30, 2015

Nothing but heartbreak for everyone affected by the death of Aaron Devlin, couldn't imagine the feeling! #RIPAaron

— Tiérnan Rush (@tiernanrushh8) July 30, 2015

Can't get my head around the news coming out of @BallinderryGAC this evening. RIP Aaron Devlin. #GAAFamily pic.twitter.com/nAgNQvPfX9 — Odhrán Bradley (@OdhranBradley) July 30, 2015

Our sincere condolences are with the @BallinderryGAC community after the passing of Aaron Devlin this evening from all at Trasna. RIP Aaron.

— Doire Trasna CLG (@PearsesDerry) July 30, 2015

Just heard about Aaron Devlin's passing. Terrible news. RIP #GAAFamily — Pierce (@PierceCallaghan) July 30, 2015

Rest in Peace Aaron Devlin - horrible news for all at @BallinderryGAC and GAA as a whole - thoughts and prayers with his family

— Eoin Kelly (@EoinKelly5) July 30, 2015

We are saddened to hear of the death of Aaron Devlin. Our sympathy to his family and entire @ballinderrygac community. #GAAFamily — Slaughtneil GAC (@GACSlaughtneil) July 30, 2015

Heartbreaking news about Aaron Devlin. Can't even imagine what the family, friends and Ballinderry club are going through #lifeiscruel

— Marty Hoey (@Hoedawg) July 30, 2015

RIP Aaron Devlin. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. https://t.co/ynmU7d9ECq — Aughlisnafin GAC (@AughlisnafinGAC) July 30, 2015

Such sad news about Aaron Devlin this evening, thoughts and prayers with all his family and friends. RIP

— Orlaith NíCheallaigh (@okelly150) July 30, 2015

Sorry to hear the news of the passing of @Aaron_Devlin talented footballer and always good banter on the pitch. Prayers are with his family. — Chris Kerr (@Kerrso86) July 30, 2015

Unbelievable news about Aaron Devlin sad day for @BallinderryGAC and his family. RIP.

— Ryan O Neill (@bigR244) July 30, 2015

Very sad news coming from @BallinderryGAC this evening. RIP Aaron devlin. A true gentleman! — Kyle Coney (Noney) (@kyleconey1) July 30, 2015

Rest in peace Azza A true legend in every sense of the word @Aaron_Devlin #azza #legend #dookiestyle pic.twitter.com/mqyBFat2NV

— Darren MacGaoithin (@weemenace) July 30, 2015

Tragic news about the passing @Aaron_Devlin True Gentleman in every way. Prayers for you and the Devlin Family #Dook #GAAFamily — Niall O Diomain (@BellaghyBlue) July 30, 2015

The final whistle has blown for you @Aaron_Devlin but by God you had some game. Rest in Peace Aaron.

— Adrian McGuckin (@bigaidso14) July 30, 2015

Deepest sympathy to the Devlin family and @BallinderryGAC on the tragic passing of Aaron Devlin. Mary, Queen of the Gael, pray for him. — RossaGaelsDerry (@RossaGaelsDerry) July 30, 2015