Tributes to Omagh footballing great

THE funeral of Omagh Town footballing great, John McDaid, will take place this morning (Monday).

The prolific attacker, aged 59, passed away at Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex on Friday following a long illness.

As well as playing for hometown club, Omagh Town, the former striker, father of current Linfield player, Robbie, turned out for a number of Irish League and League of Ireland clubs, including Glentoran, Portadown, Finn Harps and Derry City.

Those clubs led the many glowing tributes following Mr McDaid’s passing.

Among them, were fond words by former teammate and Glentoran captain, Jimmy Cleary.

“John was a great lad, and a smashing player,” he said. “He was strong, skilful, could use both feet, and did so well to get into our team when we were reigning champions.

“I have no doubt that, had it not been for his injury, he could have gone onto have a great career at a high level in England. He was that good.

“On behalf of his old Glentoran teammates, I pass on to our sadness to Wendy and the family.”

A minute’s silence was observed before Saturday’s Sports Direct Premiership game between Glentoran and Carrick Rangers.

In 1986, McDaid etched his name in the folklore of Finn Harps Football Club when scoring a famous equalising goal against Derry City in front of a raucous 13,000 at the Brandywell.

The Omagh man was a beloved figure at Finn Park, and the Ballybofey club also paid tribute to their former marksman.

“Everyone at Finn Harps Football Club is saddened to hear of the passing of our former player John McDaid from Omagh.

“John signed for Finn Harps from Glentoran in the summer of 1986.

“He was top scorer for Harps in the 1986/87 season.”

“Our deepest sympathies go to his wife, Wendy, sons, Robbie and Andrew, and to his wider family and friends.”

The Cannondale native’s footballing prowess was spotted at an early age, and the gifted attacker represented Northern Ireland at underage level.

In 1980, he played in attack alongside ex-Manchester United and Northern Ireland international Norman Whiteside for NI Schoolboys.

Two years later, McDaid was attracting interest from a host of cross-channel clubs, and was poised to sign for Newcastle United when he suffered a serious leg break while playing for Glentoran against Linfield in the Gold Cup Final.

The deceased’s eldest brother, Jimmy, also a former Omagh Town footballer, passed away a little over 12 months ago.

Requiem Mass for Mr McDaid will be held in Sacred Heart Church at 10am this morning (Monday) and will be followed by interment in Greenhill Cemetery.

Mr McDaid is survived by his wife, Wendy, sons, Robbie and Andrew, brother, Barry, and sisters, Sharon and Patricia.

He is predeceased by parents, Tom and Nancy, brothers, Tom and Jimmy, niece Emma, sister-in- law, Bernie, and brother-in-law, Damien.