Fifty-nine-year-old Ambose ‘Ambie’ McMullen died following an explosion at the Endeavor mine in Cobar, about 700km northwest of Sydney in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Over the intervening 72 hours, tributes to the Cootehill native and former Cavan footballer who represented his county at minor, under 21 and senior levels, have continued to pour in.
Arguably the most poignant of those came yesterday evening from Cavan GAA county board.
In a moving reflection of the father of four’s enduring legacy both on and off the field, a spokesperson said the local GAA community was “deep shock” and a prevailing sense of numbed sadness at the news.
“Ambie is fondly remembered and deeply mourned by his many friends in his native Cootehill, in Cavan and Australia,” said the spokesperson.
“His passing evoked many memories among old playing teammates and supporters of his contribution to his native Cootehill Celtic and the Cavan county teams.
“Ambie first played for Cavan minors in 1983 and he captained the team in 1984. He also played with Cavan under 21s in 1984 and 1985 and he was called into the senior panel in 1984.
“He was a regular with Cavan throughout the later 1980s playing in the full-back line usually at left full-back. He was a dedicated, highly skilful player who was a great reader of the game with keen positional awareness. He gave everything to the blue jersey and is remembered for his sportsmanship.”
Ambrose ‘Ambie’ McMullen
Today’s News in 90 Seconds, Friday October 31
A former Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) student, Mr McMullen captained the successful WIT Freshers Football Team in 1986 before going on to captain the Senior Football Team in 1987.
Those successes have likewise been mirrored by equally wholesome tributes by many of his former teammates and college friends at the now known South East Technological University (SETU) following its merging with IT Carlow in 2022.
“Ambie was widely respected for his leadership, sporting ability, and gentlemanly nature,” read one tribute. “He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him — his former teammates, classmates, and the wider WIT GAA (SETU) community.”
Mr McMullen had been living in Australia with his wife Regina, who is from County Offaly, and their four boys – Darragh, Conor, Tadgh and Oisín.
Fatalities from mine explosions are rare in Australia, with the most recent death happening in 2015 at a mine in Queensland.
In a statement Police said a man in his 60s and a woman in her 20s died at the scene. Another woman in her 20s was airlifted to hospital with minor injuries and shock.
Local councillor for Bailieborough and Cootehill, Carmel Brady, said Mr McMullen was her classmate in school. She said he found a “new home and life down under in Australia”.
“I was in the same year at secondary school, St Aidan’s Comprehensive School, as Ambie.
“He was a kind, friendly young man who excelled at all sports.”
As investigations continue apace into the cause behind the tragic events of Tuesday morning, funeral arrangements for the late Mr McMullen are expected to be made known over the coming days.