Annaclone woman injured in cycle crash

Mary McClory was left with a number of serious injuries including spinal damage after colliding with another cyclist and a car during the Lap the Lough event on Sunday August 28.

The 23-year-old was travelling in the Beconnell Lane in Lurgan near the beginning of the route which sees cyclists travel 80 miles around Lough Neagh. It is understood Mary, who is a final year dentistry student at Queen’s University, collided with another cyclist and fell into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

The Annaclone footballer and Ballela camogie player was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. A spokesperson last night said she remains in a stable condition in the hospital’s High Dependency Unit.

Just a day before the accident Mary had helped her Annaclone Ladies’ teammates celebrate their Championship win against Bryansford. Club chairperson Marie Devlin said the team had been left shocked by the tragedy less than 24 hours after their footballing success.

“Our thoughts are with the whole family at this time and we would be hopeful for her recovery,” said Marie. “It really has shocked everyone and the girls are just devastated but we will all be there to offer any support we can.”

This is the second tragedy to strike the McClory family in less than two years. Mary’s sister Iona was killed in a car accident in December 2009. The 27-year-old had been travelling along the Glenshane Pass when her car careered into the path of an oncoming car. An inquest later found that flooding on the road had contributed to the accident.

Parish priest Father Frank Kearney said Mary’s parents James and Bridget and brothers Eamon and James have remained at her bedside as they await news of her progress.

“Her mum and dad are down there regularly,” said Fr Kearney. “The whole parish is hoping and praying that she can make a full recovery after this terrible accident.”

Mary, who is also a member of Ballela camogie team is said to be a popular girl among her teammates, having won Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year on previous occasions.

Ballela club chairman Bernard McCusker said, “I would know Mary and have coached her in the past when I managed the camogie team,” he recalled. “She is a pleasant girl who always turned up for training on time and was very dedicated to her sport.

“She played full-back for the team and helped us secure our league victory earlier this year. She’s the type of person who you think could be good at anything she puts her mind to. We are all very much hoping and praying that she makes a full recovery.”