Northern Ireland

Buncrana pier tragedy: Joshua Daniels scores first Derry goal

Derry City's Joshua Daniels celebrates his goal against Finn Harps at the Brandywell on Tuesday night. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin  
Derry City's Joshua Daniels celebrates his goal against Finn Harps at the Brandywell on Tuesday night. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin   Derry City's Joshua Daniels celebrates his goal against Finn Harps at the Brandywell on Tuesday night. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin  

A YOUNG footballer has scored his first goal for his home team - just weeks after losing five members of his family in the Buncrana pier tragedy.

Joshua Daniels (20), who has been with the club since he was a youngster, lost his mother, sister, brother-in-law and two nephews in March. 

Ruth Daniels, her sister Jodie Lee Daniels plus Ruth daughter's partner Sean McGrotty and his sons Mark and Evan died when their Audi Q7 slid from a slipway at Buncrana pier into Lough Swilly.

Daniels scored Derry's first goal in their 2-2 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division draw with Finn Harps at the Brandywell on Tuesday night.

Daniels is regarded as one of manager Kenny Shiels’ rising stars at the Brandywell.

And at the time of the tragedy, Derry City Football Club said it would be supporting its young midfielder Joshua while expressing their "shock and sadness".

The statement added: "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."