Brian Duffy (left) presents a Republic of Ireland jersey worn by his son Shane to Martin Orr to be raffled off for charity.
THE sudden death of Brian Duffy at his Derry home yesterday afternoon was learned of with great sadness.
A native of 146 Ard O’Donnell, Letterkenny, Brian (53) was a true Burma Apache and although he spent much of his adult life living in Derry he never forgot his roots.
Well known in football circles, Brian was a regular at Republic of Ireland matches home and away and watched on with immense pride as his son Shane played at the heart of the Irish defence.
Brian’s untimely death comes just a few months after the death of his own mother Martha in late February.
Former school friends, football team mates and friends have posted many tributes to a loving husband, father, grand father and friend on social media.
Posting on Instagram, Brian’s son Shane described his father as his hero.
“You weren’t just my dad, you were my hero, my idol,” the Brighton & Hove Albion defender said in his tribute.
“I’ll miss ringing u after the match and you telling me how sh**e I was.
“Daddy I love you and miss you. Look after us all now. Every time I put that green shirt on for our country I’ll be thinking about you because I know how proud you were of me playing for Ireland.
“Love you and miss you.”
He is survived by his wife Siobháin (originally from Raphoe), sons Shane and Tony, daughter Nicole, sisters Jackie and Michelle, brother Mark, and a large number of relatives and many friends to whom deepest sympathy is extended.
Funeral arrangements in compliance with Covid-19 restrictions will follow.
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