SSE Airtricity League reporter Ciaran Callan has paid tribute to the late Ryan McBride, who was buried today, and has shown what the defender meant to all SSE Airtricity League supporters... ----------------------------------------------------------
SSE Airtricity League reporter Ciaran Callan has paid tribute to the late Ryan McBride, who was buried today, and has shown what the defender meant to all SSE Airtricity League supporters...
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In the darkest of hours, this league has shone bright.
Fourteen days ago in Maginn Park, as the ball nestled into the net for Derry City’s third goal against my team Dundalk, like many opposition fans, I cursed under my breath at the player who scored it.
It’s a natural reaction for anyone but little did I realise that on Sunday evening that the same player would have left this world following his sudden death.
Ryan McBride was everything you would want as a player on your team and at your club, a fearless leader who led by example and played the game with his heart on his sleeve and a smile on his face. He was the kind of player that opposition fans and players would love to have on their side and hated playing against. He was simply just a great football player.
Reading comments over these past few days, it has been remarked that he was tough player in opposition with ‘real battles’ on the pitch. His fellow team mates spoke of their high esteem towards him and how he was a pleasure to train and play with every week. This year, the Derry captain epitomised everything good about this young, dynamic side with the professionalism and hard work we came to expect from him.
But what has come from this tragedy that gives his family and team mates hope and comfort is the show of the unity by fans and clubs alike from the League of Ireland in their support, sympathy and grief.
So many League of Ireland fans, officials and players have paid tribute to Ryan as if it was one of their own, and in truth he was. The League of Ireland is all about local home grown heroes. We can all relate to the sense of shock and loss.
Its a real testament to this country and league itself that we have all rallied around Ryan’s family, Derry City FC and the players in what has been an unprecedented tragedy.
The tributes have shown how highly regarded he was as a player and a person, a role model that young players around the country will look up to and aspire to his values towards our beautiful game.
Like Mark Farren before him, we will mark our tributes and respects this weekend to the colossus of the Derry defence, one of Derry City's FC's favourite sons.
Rest in peace Ryan...
