Death of Billy Given

The local cricket community was left in shock on Saturday evening after popular supporter and photographer Billy Given died suddenly after suffering what appears to have been a heart attack at the end of the Faughan Valley cup final at Newbuildings.

Billy was an instantly recognisable figure around the grounds and his passing has brought hundreds of messages of sympathy from players, officials and committees across the region.

Ironically it was the final throes of the most testing season in living memory and Billy had just photographed Newbuildings picking up the Faughan Valley trophy for the first time in their short history.

Billy was a keen cricketer and footballer with his local club Sion Mills, winning a senior medal with the village club. His photographs of especially cricket and football showed a shrewd eye capturing the essence of contests both on the pitch and the sidelines.

Condolences from all the North West sporting fraternity to his family and friends.

May his gentle soul Rest In Peace.