Tragic twist as athlete dies just days after arriving in Australia – as police speak out about what happened
Police have confirmed the young Irishman’s death just two days after arriving in Australia was “not suspicious”.
Matthew McGuigan and his partner Clodagh Corr flew into Sydney on Thursday evening and planned to spend at least six months in the country.
But police were called to a flat in Eastgardens on Saturday after reports that a “24-year-old man had suffered an episode of illness”.
“The man… was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital but died a short time later,” a NSW Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.
“The initial investigation has determined that the death was not suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner.”
Sydney’s Irish community is coming together on Thursday night to remember 24-year-old Matthew McGuigan, who died suddenly on Saturday, just two days after arriving in Australia.
Sydney’s Irish community comes together on Thursday evening to remember Mr McGuigan at a funeral mass.
The close-knit expat community, which mainly lives in the city’s eastern beach suburbs, gathers at St Brigid’s Catholic Church in Coogee at 6.30pm.
Cormac MacAnallen Gaelic Football Club, based in Sydney, for which Mr McGuigan was due to play, announced on Facebook that the mass was to “pay tribute to Matthew and show support to the wider Irish community”.
The Irish Government is providing assistance to Mr McGuigan’s family through its consulate in Sydney.
The talented athlete played for Tyrone at under-18 level in the Irish Football Championship.
The county’s Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) said: “Matty’s contribution to his team was simply outstanding and his legacy as a player will forever live in the hearts of those who had the privilege of witnessing his excellence on the field.”
“His dedication to the game and his unwavering spirit have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Killress Wolfe Tones and the wider Tyrone community.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the McGuigan and Tracy families, Matthew’s partner and friends,” Tyrone GAA wrote.
Mr McGuigan’s older brother Darragh paid tribute on social media, saying: “Forever young, love you forever.”
“I am very grateful that you became my brother for 27 years of my life, I don’t know how it happened or why – I will never understand.”
Matthew McGuigan (pictured) was a talented sportsman who played both Gaelic football and football.
A candlelight vigil was held in honor of Irishman Matthew McGuigan (left), who tragically died on Saturday just two days after he and his girlfriend Clodagh Corr (right) moved to Sydney.
This was announced by Kildress Wolfe Tones chairman Dominic McGurk. Belfast Live posts saying the entire community was “devastated.”
“Matty has been our senior captain for the last two years, he has been our leader at 24 years old. He became captain at just 22 years old,” he said.
“He was manager of our junior team (under 18s) last Sunday and was also on the committee. He was just a true leader.”
A prayer vigil for the man known as Matty was held in Gortacladdy, County Tyrone, on Monday evening, led by Catholic priest Father Paddy Hughes.
Father Hughes told Belfast Newsletter that before his body was sent home, a post-mortem examination “would probably have to be carried out” on Mr McGuigan in Sydney.
“Everyone in the parish that I have spoken to speaks highly of Mattie,” Father Hughes said.
Irish charity Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust is helping McGuigan’s family return his remains to Ireland.
“Please know that everyone is welcomed with open arms and hearts during this difficult period,” said the club Mr McGuigan was planning to play for.
Mr McGurk said that after arriving in Sydney, Mr McGuigan and his Ms Corr “sent photographs to the family of them standing outside together in the Australian sun”.
Matty McGuigan, who died in Sydney on Saturday two days after arriving from Australia, is pictured with his brother Darragh.
Matty McGuigan pictured with his girlfriend Clodagh Corr. The young Irish couple arrived in Sydney on Thursday but McGuigan tragically died on Saturday.
The couple planned to spend at least six months in Australia to experience the new lifestyle.
“As much as we hate to see him go because he was our captain, it’s nice for people to go out and enjoy life,” Mr McGurk said.
“Little did we know he would come home under these circumstances.”
As well as playing Gaelic football, Mr McGuigan also played football for his local club, Cookstown Olympic.
“Matty was a fantastic footballer and an even better person,” the football club said in a statement.
A GoFundme an appeal set up by a friend of the McGuigan family to help had already exceeded its target amount by nearly 14 times by Wednesday afternoon, with more than 1,300 people donating.
“No words can express my sadness and heartache when I heard the terrible news of Matty’s passing… I know there is nothing we can do to ease the pain, but I hope creating this page will help,” the friend said.
Many of the expressions dedicated to Mr McGuigan used the Irish phrase “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal”.
The direct translation is “May his holy soul be at the right hand of God”, and is used as an Irish version of “rest in peace”.
Life line Australia 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Male line Australia 1300 78 99 78