DERRY City Football Club has said it would be supporting its player Joshua Daniels left devastated by the deaths of five members of his family in the Buncrana pier tragedy.
The 20-year-old footballer, who has been with the club since he was a youngster, lost his mother, sister, brother-in-law and two nephews.
Derry City FC said on Monday night that there was great sadness at the club following the news of the deaths of Ruth Daniels, her daughter Jodie Lee Daniels, son-in-law Sean McGrotty and grandsons Mark and Evan.
Daniels, a midfielder at the club, is regarded as one of manager Kenny Shiels’ rising stars at the Brandywell.
Philip O Doherty, chairman of Derry City Football Club, last night issued a statement on behalf of the club.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Manager, the staff and the players of Derry City I want to express our shock and sadness at the tragedy that happened in Buncrana on Sunday night," he said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Daniels and McGrotty families in this most painful time.
"Our thoughts are especially with our colleague and team mate Josh Daniels who has been with this club since he was a boy.
"We are conscious of the depth of his loss.
"Inadequate as it is, everyone at the club wants to assure him that they will be with him in the coming days and, more importantly, in the weeks and months that lie ahead."
The Candystripes are due to play Wexford Youths on Saturday in the SSE Airtricity Premier League.
However, it remained unclear on Monday night if the game will go ahead.
Bray Wanderers FC also expressed its sympathies to the midfielder on Monday following the tragedy.
The club said it "would like to extend our sympathies to Joshua Daniels, his family and everyone at Derry City FC following the tragic death of five members of his family including his mother Ruth and sister Jodie in Buncrana. May they rest in peace."
