MOURNERS at the funeral of Francie Doone gathered to pay their last respects to the successful Co Antrim GAA manager.
Hundreds of people converged on St Joseph's Church in Glenavy on Wednesday where tributes were paid to the 51-year-old following his sudden death in a charity cycle race on Sunday.
Members of St Joseph's GAC, Glenavy formed a guard of honour outside the chapel as Mr Doone's wife Geraldine and three daughters led mourners inside.
Mr Doone, from Aghalee, had been taking part in the Ride On For RAFF memorial charity cycle, organised in aid of leukaemia research, when he collapsed.
He was cycling with a group from Lissummon Cycling Club when he is believed to have suffered a heart attack as they made their way along the Newry Road outside Newtownhamilton.
He was given CPR at the scene before being rushed to hospital, but passed away a short time later.
His tragic death came just a week after he saw his Glenavy side defeat Dunloy in the Antrim Intermediate Championship final.
In a statement released yesterday, Antrim GAA said Mr Doone's death "has saddened us all".
"Just over a week ago Francie managed his Glenavy team to the Antrim Intermediate Football Championship and was preparing for the Ulster campaign against the Fermanagh champions when tragedy struck while participating in a charity cycle event," the statement said.
"The whole of Antrim and the entire GAA family offer their sincere condolences to his wife Geraldine, children, family and friends.
"This is a sad time for the Glenavy Club."
Following Requiem Mass on Wednesday, Mr Doone was laid to rest in St James' Cemetery, Aldergrove.
