MOURNERS at the funeral of a man killed alongside his best friend in a weekend road crash in Co Tyrone heard him described as an "exceptional young man who epitomised all that is good".
The funeral for Killian Doherty (19) took place in Drumquin a day after the funeral of his childhood friend Maurice McCloughan.
The teenagers were killed following a two car crash on the A5 Doogary Road outside Omagh on Saturday morning.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at St Patrick's Church in Drumquin for Requiem Mass.
Killian's coffin was draped in his Drumquin Wolfe Tones GAA jersey, while members of the club helped carry the coffin and along with representatives of Fintona Pearses formed a guard of honour as the remains made their way into the church.
Paying tribute to Killian, Drumquin club chairman Tom Gormley told mourners of a young man who had the "unique ability to light up the lives of all who knew him".
"Killian’s family gave him numerous important gifts, not material things, but the gifts of happiness, an infectious good humour, an admirable work ethic and a truly positive outlook on life," he said.
"Killian always, always had a smile on his face and a glint in his eyes and when he rubbed his chin in his particular way, you just knew that whatever was to come next was going to be good.
"Killian packed more into his 19 short years than many of us do in a lifetime. He was truly an exceptional young man who epitomised all that is good," Mr Gormley told the congregation.
Speaking about the days following Killian's death the club chairman said the word "gentleman" was used to describe him "over and over again".
"Everyone who knew Killian felt like he was their son, their brother, their best friend. In death, as in his life, Killian has brought us all much closer. He has made us much more aware of the preciousness of life and of the time we spend in each others company," he added.
A talented GAA footballer for Drumquin, where he picked up a number of junior awards, Killian was described as a "truly valued member" of the senior team. He was also part of the St John's, Dromore team alongside Maurice McCloughan that won the 2012 Ulster Vocational Schools Cup.
Following Requiem Mass Mr Doherty was laid to rest in the adjoining grave yard at St Patrick's Church.
He is survived by parents Finbarr and Carmel and siblings Charlene and Fatima
Mr Doherty’s death is the second road-related tragedy to hit the family after his cousin Jonathan Doherty was killed in a road crash in Co Donegal a year ago.
