In one of the saddest occasions in Irish sport, former Celtic, Manchester United, and Republic of Ireland midfielder Liam Miller was laid to rest today, having passed away on Friday aged just 36. Miller had been fighting pancreatic cancer for the past number of months.
His funeral mass in Ovens, Co. Cork this morning was attended by a huge number of family and friends. Among them were several former teammates and managers.
Liam Miller’s funeral, John the Baptist Church, Ovens, Co Cork. Among the mourners are Roy Keane, Martin O’Neill, John O’Shea, Denis Irwin. pic.twitter.com/YRsMh31LIi
— Ed Carty (@EdCartyPA) February 12, 2018
Current Republic of Ireland manager Martin O'Neill and his assistant Roy Keane both managed Miller, at Celtic and Sunderland respectively, during his career.
His other former managers for Ireland Brian Kerr and Steve Staunton were also in attendance, along with Denis Irwin and his former Ireland teammates Aiden McGeady, Kevin Doyle, John O'Shea and Kevin Kilbane.
Shaun Maloney, a player Miller came through with at Celtic, also made the trip over for the service.
FAI chief executive John Delaney was also in attendance.
Mourners including former @CelticFC boss Martin O'Neill and teammate Aiden McGeady pay their respects at the funeral of Liam Miller in Cork.
Miller died last week after a battle with cancer.
PICS: PA Images pic.twitter.com/xM1IxOZNtu— Clyde 1 Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) February 12, 2018
Willie McStay, a legendary Celtic figure, and former Head of Youth at the club spoke to the congregation and said he will always remember "that wee boy who never gave the ball away and could run all day".
Miller's brother-in-law Dan Sheedy delivered an emotional eulogy.
The loss of the best is the worst... it is overwhelming.
I could live a dozen lives and not be half the man Liam Miller was.
Sheedy also talked about Miller's football legacy.
To those who knew Liam best, Liam's legacy won't be about anything he achieved on a football pitch, though, on that, he achieved what was to most of us an impossible fantasy.
Liam was that most rare of things - he lived his dreams.
He achieved these dreams with a combination of his skill, sublime as it was , his humble personality and a fierce determination we have all seen resurface these last few of months.
Football is not how we are going to remember Liam.
It was as a husband to Claire and a father of three that Liam Miller is best remembered among those who new him best.
"There was never a father like Liam. He gave every ounce of himself to his children", added Sheedy.
