The funeral of former Tyrone GAA star and Trillick GAC senior football manager Jody Gormley will take place in Belfast tomorrow, a notice has confirmed.
The footballer had been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer earlier this year, with his death confirmed by his family on Monday.
Requiem Mass for Mr Gormley will take place at the Good Shepherd Church at 10am.
“He will then depart the Good Shepherd Church and will travel via Omagh and Dromore to arrive at St. Macartan’s graveyard in Trillick, Co Tyrone, at 3pm, for burial,” the notice added.
“Deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving wife, daughters, son, mother, brothers, sister, in laws, nephews, nieces and entire family circle and many friends. Our Lady pray for him.”
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Mr Gormley’s brother Damian confirmed the news of his death earlier in the week on social media.
“It is with profound sadness that I announce my brother Jody passed away peacefully this evening,” he said.
His club Trillick St Macartans posted an emotional tribute on their Facebook page, saying the entire community was “devastated”.
“The words cannot describe the heartache our club is feeling right now,” said a spokesperson.
“Jody was a true red from a young age, playing from underage to senior level. To then managing our senior team to an historical double in 2023.
“Jody played for our club from a young age and has been involved in a number of teams throughout his playing career.
“He played for Tyrone and won a number of accolades including two u21 All Irelands in 1991 and 1992.
“Jody played in the famous 1995 All-Ireland final and scored the only other point bar Peter Canavan’s scores.
“Jody was one of a kind and when returned to Trillick brought an aura with him like no other.
“Throughout his time with Trillick as player and more recently as a manager he has made an impression on everyone – coaches, players and club members of all levels in a short period of time.
“A lot of people will have learnt a lot from him and how to hold themselves. Jody truly is an inspiration, forever our hero and forever a red.
“Our most sincere and heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Jody’s family, his wife Deidre, daughters Áine and Niamh and son James. His mother Shiela, brothers Damian and Eoin and sister Anita.”
The Abbey CBS teacher managed the Newry school to its first MacRory Cup title in 19 years back in 2006, finishing the season with a national Hogan Cup title.
Following his diagnosis, Mr Gormley said he had “no fear whatsoever of dying”.
He told the BBC GAA Social Podcast that he “felt blessed his entire life” and spoke of the impact the diagnosis had on his family, reflecting that it was “probably tougher on the family than me”.
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News Catch Up: Wednesday 11th December