Tributes Flow In For Derry City Captain Ryan McBride, Who Has Died
Irish football is united in mourning, following the news that Derry City captain Ryan McBride passed away suddenly on Sunday.
The defender was 27-years-old.
The Derry Journal report that he was found dead in his home on Sunday afternoon.
He played in Derry's 4-0 SSE Airtricity League win over Drogheda United on Saturday. The cause of death is not known yet.
Derry City chairman Phil O'Doherty told the BBC that the club are "devastated".
"This news is so hard to take in," he said.
"The players and management staff are in shock and it's an extremely tough time for everyone."
Mr O'Doherty has decribed McBride as "a leader on and off the field" and "an ideal captain".
FAI CEO John Delaney has described McBride as "a true great of the game" and described him as Derry's "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."
Derry City were due to face Limerick in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division tomorrow night.
However that game has now been rescheduled as a mark of respect.
Irish international James McClean paid tribute to his former Derry City teammate on Instagram:
Tributes have been flowing in for the Derry City captain on Twitter: