THE funeral of former Finn Harps favourite 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.
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 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.”
Robbie and John McDaid
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 in Omagh 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.
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