EOIN Hamill was "a beautiful little boy" with "a smile which would melt anyone's heart", mourners heard today.
More than a thousand people gathered at Holy Trinity Church in Turf Lodge, west Belfast, this morning as the 13-year-old's coffin was brought from his family home.
The talented young boxer died after he was struck by a car as he cycled on January 3.
Members of his boxing club, Gleann ABC, and classmates at Coláiste Feirste formed a guard of honour as Eoin's white coffin, emblazoned with boxing gloves, was carried into the church ahead of Requiem Mass.
Many young people wore t-shirts with images of Eoin and the slogan 'Champion'.
Fr Brendan Mulhall told mourners, including Olympic medallist Paddy Barnes and former bantamweight world champion Ryan Burnett, that his death was an "unspeakable tragedy" and an "immense loss".
"Eoin's manner of living and indeed his manner of dying have had a profound impact on all of us," he said.
"There is no deeper loss than that of losing a child."
He described how the teenager's death had hit his parents Lisa Hamill and Martin McCullough and siblings Kadin, Daithí and Clodagh.
Fr Mulhall said the 13-year-old "had his whole life ahead of him".
"Everyone expects to bury their parents but no one expects to have to bury their child or grandchild."
He added: "He was full of life and free... a cheeky wee monkey who had a smile which would melt anyone's heart.
"He was an exceptional talent... who made friends very easily."
Fr Mulhall said Eoin was a very promising boxer who had won many bouts and had taken part in fights as far away as Philadelphia.
He also had a deep interest in God and "never went anywhere without his rosary beads".
"The deepest truth of Eoin's life was that he was loved and cherished... We will remember him always with love and thanks and gratitude," he said.
Eoin's family asked for prayers for everyone involved in the accident, including the driver of the car and their family, and everyone who helped at the scene.
They also thanked the thousands of people who offered their sympathies and support in recent days.
As Eoin's coffin was carried from the church, a white dove was released in his memory.
Floral displays included one in the shape of boxing gloves and wreaths which spelt out son, grandson, and nephew.
The teenager was laid to rest at Milltown Cemetery in Belfast.
Following Eoin's death, former world champion boxer Carl Frampton auctioned gloves and shorts from his last fight to raise money towards the funeral costs.
Olympic bronze medallist Michael Conlan also auctioned off a pair of gloves. The money raised will be split between the Hamill/McCullough families and the family of 11-year-old boxer Cillian Draine, who also died suddenly on January 3.
