Priest at funeral says darragh dohertys death came as a hammerblow

EMERGING Mayo GAA star Darragh Doherty was described by one of the officiating priests at his funeral today as a footballer similar in style to previous greats of Gaelic football, Kerry's Mick O'Dwyer and Galway's John Keenan.

O'Dwyer won eight All-Ireland medals with Kerry while Keenan,  a bustling forward, won three with Galway in successive years, 1964, 1965 and 1966.

Canon Peter Waldron, a family friend 0f the Doherty family from Kilmaine, said that 19 year-old Darragh, who died in a road accident near Ballinrobe on Sunday night, was destined for greatness had his life not been so tragically cut short.

'He was a revelation, a natural born corner forward,' Canon Waldron, who wore the Mayo minor jersey himself in his younger days, said in a homily at St. Patrick's Church, Kilmaine.

Canon Waldron continued: 'He reminded me of John Keenan and Mick O'Dwyer, such physicality and strength, his sudden bursts of speed, ball in hand with an eye always for goal.'

On a personal level, Canon Waldron recalled a personable young man whose face lit up with laughter, a warm and likeable individual.

Darragh's death has come 'as a hammerblow to the pit of the stomach', the homilist continued.

Nothwithstanding, their grief and loss, Canon Waldron urged the overflow congregation to look forward to Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final between Mayo and Dublin.

'Cheer them on,' he exhorted. 'I will. He (Darragh) will too.'

Thousands from all over Ireland, many from overseas, attended the funeral over  both days in Kilmaine of the young club and county star who won an All-Ireland minor medal with Mayo in 2013 while scoring a crucial I-2 in the final.

Prayers at the funeral Mass were recited for Darragh's club teammate, Niall Heneghan, who was injured in Sunday's accident and is now recovering in Beaumont Hospital.

Chief mourners at today's funeral was the young footballer's father Tom, mother Margaret, and brothers, Cathal, Adrian, David and Gerard.

The concelebrants of the funeral Mass were Canon John Fallon P.P., Kilmaine, Canon Paddy Gilligan P.P., Cong,  Fr. Conal Eustace, Ballinrobe, Fr. Martin Costello, SMA Ballinrobe and Fr. John Kenny, P.P., Partry.

In a eulogy, Gerard Doherty recalled that his brother, who was affectionately known as 'Doc',  always brimmed with football ability and confidence from an early age.

Gerard highlighted how his family were always so proud of Darragh and his achievements.

Gifts brought to the altar in memory of Darragh's short but action packed life included his All-Ireland 2013 jersey and a photo of the team, his football boots, a photo of his beloved dog, 'Rocky', and an O'Neill's football which 'he carried everywhere he went.'

Members of Klimaine GAA Club and the Mayo minor football squad formed a guard of honour as the remains were brought to their last resting place in the local cemetery.