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Community 'in shock' after teenager killed in Donegal crash

Carndonagh FC Tiernan Doherty-Kelly dressed in the red kit of Carndonagh FC, stands with his hands behind his back. He is standing on a football pitch, with a field of corn in the background Carndonagh FC
Tiernan Doherty-Kelly's death has devastated the community, the local soccer club says

Tributes have been paid to a teenager who died following a single-vehicle crash in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.

Tiernan Doherty-Kelly, 18, was fatally injured in a collision on the R244 (Mountain Road) at Ballinlough, near Buncrana, shortly after 05:00 GMT on Sunday.

The teenager was the driver and only occupant of the car, Gardaí (Irish police) said.

Carndonagh FC vice chairman Albert Doherty said he was "a popular, humorous young man who was a delight inside and outside the dressing room".

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme Mr Doherty added: “He was a great contributor to sports… someone who was sorely loved. There are deep regrets at losing him, we are distraught as a community.

“We are in deep, deep shock as a community."

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Tiernan played both soccer and GAA for clubs in Carndonagh.

Mr Doherty said teammates gathered at both clubs on Sunday as they tried to come to terms with the news.

“People have fond loving memories of TK. Our thoughts, sympathies and prayers are with the extended families,” he said.

In a tribute on social media, on Sunday the Carndonagh GAA club said: “Today was a truly heartbreaking day for our club and our community”.

The club described the teenager as a “star” who always “greeted everyone with a smile”.

It had been a “privilege to watch Tiernan play football and hurling with skill and determination,” the club added.

The main Buncrana to Carndonagh road was closed on Sunday to allow for an examination of the scene by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to contact them.

The teenager is the fourth person killed on Donegal roads in just over a week.