Ryan McBride Funeral To Take Place On Thursday
The funeral of the late Derry City captain Ryan McBride will take place this Thursday morning in his home town.
The 27-year-old was found dead at his home yesterday afternoon.
The funeral cortege is scheduled to leave his home at 9:20am for requiem mass at St Columba's Church, Longtower at 10am after which the interment will take place at the city cemetery.
The tragic news came as a huge shock to all who knew him including the Candystripes chairman Phil O'Doherty who spoke to the BBC yesterday.
"This news is so hard to take in. The players and management staff are in shock and it's an extremely tough time for everyone."
Former Derry team-mate James McClean was "devestated" by the news according to Irish boss Martin O'Neill who watched the winger train with the rest of the squad today at Abbotstown ahead of Friday's meeting with Wales.
"Well it is tragic yes. I didn't know the young lad personally myself but James McClean was a very good friend of his.
"James is devestated by the news. Obviously his family is as well too. So yes, it's a real tragic event."
The West Brom player paid his own tribute to McBride with a post on Instagram, in which he described the centre-half as a "warrior" and a "gentleman".
Also paying tribute to McBride at the Irish squad base in Abbotstown were Irish striker Jonathan Walters and defender John Egan.
"I'm sure the football family will support [McBride's family] as much as they can", Walters said today.
"We send our deepest condolences from the squad here and everyone involved but hopefully his family will be left to grieve in peace."
"It's very, very sad news", Egan added.
"To hear that a young man in his prime has passed away is very sad. I think especially the Derry lads who'd know him, it will hit them hard.
"The lads have mentioned it in the squad but it's very sad news and obviously we're all thinking of his family and his friends at this time and hoping that they're ok."
FAI chief executive John Delaney confirmed that the association will pay a tribute ahead of the World Cup qualifier against the Welsh at the Aviva Stadium.
"Irish football is in mourning with the loss of a true great of the game, with the shocking news about Ryan McBride's passing.
"I would like to pass on my deepest condolences to Ryan's family, friends, and his club, Derry City FC, for which he was their leader, their captain and their inspiration.
"On behalf of the FAI Board and everyone in the Association, I would like to offer our sympathies to all who were blessed to have known Ryan.
"Ryan's passing has left a deep shock throughout football. We will remember Ryan with a tribute at Friday night's FIFA World Cup qualifier against Wales."
FAI Director of Competitions Fran Gavin added: "I am shocked at the sad news of Ryan's passing. I saw Ryan in action for Derry City against Drogheda United recently, where he was outstanding as he so often was for his team.
"Our thoughts are with his Ryan's family and all at Derry City at this very sad time. It is a terrible blow to the SSE Airtricity League and to everyone in football to lose such a great player."
Derry City's upcoming fixtures with Limerick and Galway United have been postponed as a mark of respect while tomorrow night's EA Sports Cup first round ties have also been pushed back to a later date.