Mayo soccer in mourning over passing of Dermot Holmes
The death has occurred suddenly and unexpectedly of Dermot Holmes, Coolcronan, Foxford
Predeceased recently by his parents Bill and Peggy, Dermot will be dearly and lovingly missed by his wife Teresa and family Martin, Emma, Katie and Leanne, brothers Michael and Billy, sister Caroline, his adored grandchildren Kyle, Tyler, Jamie, Alannah and Darragh, sisters in-law Frances and Diane, brothers in-law Willie, John, Aidan and Liam, uncle Tony, aunts Frances and Bridie, sons in-law Shane and Kevin, daughter in-law Stacey, nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives, neighbours, work colleagues and a large circle of friends.
Deepest sympathy is tendered to the Holmes family on their loss.
In his youth, he was one of Mayo's most accomplished soccer players and represented his county at inter-league level with distinction in the early 1980s and was a member of the Mayo squad which reached the national final of the Oscar Traynor Challenge Cup in 1981.
Paying tribute to him, his club, Conn Rangers FC, described Dermot as one of the finest men ever to play for the club.
The tribute continued: "Having previously been with Lincoln City, Dermot signed for Rangers in 1979 and, remarkably, he would go on to represent Conn Rangers in four different decades, lining out in the black in green from the late 1970s right up to the early 2000s.
"A cultured, intelligent, versatile footballer, Dermot was noted for his ability to retain control of the ball even on the worst of pitches and was equally comfortable in midfield, on the wing or up front.
"His ability was recognised early on and he was part of the Mayo Oscar Traynor side that scored a famous win over Galway in Terryland back in 1981.
"Dermot was the archetypal 'team player' - no ego - he was only interested in what was best for the team and was hugely respected by those who played with him.
"Last year, we asked some former players to pick their Conn Rangers 'All Time XI' - Dermot Holmes was an automatic choice in every selection.
"When he did finally hang up the boots, Dermot moved into management and, along with PJ Duffy, lead Rangers to the Mayo League Premier Division title in 2003.
"A thorough gentleman, a wonderful teammate, and a loyal servant to the club, Dermot was a friend to all who knew him.
"His untimely passing will be mourned in Coolcronan and beyond and his memory will be cherished by the club to which he gave so much."
The funeral cortége will leave his residence on Wednesday morning at 10.30 via Lisaniska to the Church of Christ The King, Knockmore, arriving for Requiem Mass at 11 a.m.
Burial takes place afterwards in Ballinahaglish Cemetery.
Funeral Mass can be viewed on https://churchtv.ie/Knockmore/