THE FUNERAL of Noel McDermott, the father of three who lost his life in a crash in Gortahork will take place tomorrow morning. The 43-year-old was tragically killed on Friday afternoon while he was out training in Ardsbeg at approximately 4pm when his bicycle collided with a car.
St Eunan’s GAA Club led the tributes describing Noel as “an unsung hero”. Noel was a dedicated member of the club and remained so after moving from Hawthorn Heights in Letterkenny to Brinalack.
Speaking to the Donegal News yesterday Club Chairman Cathal Greene said the Club members are devastated. Cathal described Noel as the “ultimate volunteer” and said he played a huge role in stewarding at matches.
Mr Greene said: “No task was too great for Noel. It is doubly tragic for the Letterkenny community and the communities of Gortahork and Ardsbeg. He was so happy there and he loved the community. He fitted in so well.”
Noel received the award for Club person of the year back in 2014 for all his volunteer work.
“You could give him the Club man of the year award every year and it wouldn’t have been out of order. An unsung hero, a volunteer in every sense of those words,” added Mr Greene.
On the Club’s Facebook Page they shared the message: “If you didn’t know Noel, he was the guy out in the car park at O’Donnell Park when the big games were on, be it Donegal or the Seniors and Reserves at home in the league, Noel was there, missing the game – missing the game so that everything was ok for patrons in the car park. Quietly going about his business on behalf of the club – and he had to travel from Gaoth Dobhair to do it, which makes it even more remarkable.”
St Eunan’s GAA Club will perform a guard of honour at the funeral at 11am tomorrow morning in St Colmcille’s Church, Cnoc Fola with burial afterwards in the adjourning cemetery.
Noel was cycling on his own when the accident occured and Gardai at Milford are investigating. He had been working on a building nearby and after he had finished decided to go for a training spin. The driver of the car was uninjured.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses to make contact with the Milford Station on 074-9153060. The well known cyclist was also a member of Errigal Cycling Club.
Chairman of Errigal Cycling Club, James Harkin, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Afric, their children, his brother Brian and all the extended family at this time. Always smiling, always willing to help and a determined racer, Noel was the ultimate clubman.”