MOURNERS gathered in Co Down yesterday for the funeral of a Gaelic footballer whose cancer battle inspired a campaign to fund potentially life-prolonging treatment.
Siobhán McCann, who was from Clanvaraghan, near Castlewellan, died on Monday.
The 26-year-old, who had played for St John's, Drumnaquoile since the age of five and represented her county from under-16 to senior level, was recently a member of Dulwich Harps GAC in London.
She had worked as a physiotherapist for Fulham Irish GAA and returned home after she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in April last year.
She had been due to have a tumour removed when she was told the cancer had spread to her liver, ruling out surgery.
Friends of the young woman then began a fundraising campaign to fund a costly cancer medication unavailable on the NHS.
Read More: Tributes paid to Co Down Gaelic footballer Siobhan McCann
The group organised a ladies’ sevens football competition at her home club and at Castlewellan GAC which attracted 23 clubs from across Ireland and Britain in a final push to meet the £100,000 target.
Many tributes were paid following news of her death this week, with the St John's club saying they had lost "a special member, an incredible player and a unique and loved friend".
"What that actually means in our hearts cannot be put into words as we cannot make sense of Siobhán’s passing."
Large crowds of mourners, many of whom were wearing GAA jerseys, yesterday gathered at St Mary of the Angels Church in Clanvaraghan for Requiem Mass.
Read More: £100,000 target passed to help Siobhan McCann pay for cancer medication
Among those to carry the coffin was former Tyrone footballer Owen Mulligan, who said this week that “people like Siobhán are few and far between.”
Following the Mass, burial took place in the adjoining cemetery.
