It has been a tough week for communities in Derry with the passing of Ryan McBride and now Martin McGuinness, with James McClean once again leading the tributes to the former deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.
McClean, whose story has been well documented, clearly had a close relationship with McGuinness and took to Instagram to express his sadness for a man he described as a 'hero and a friend'.
Writing this with a heavy heart. Bad week just getting worse, woke to the passing off martin just now, am not going to shy away in expressing either how i feel, not only was he a hero of mine, someone i looked up to, a man that has done so much for irish people and irish peoples freedom right to the very end, he was also a good friend and someone i had the pleasure of having a good relationship with, a man i met so many times, had the privilege to share many a great conversation with, a man that always text me before games wishing me luck, a man that through the well documented tough times off the field always let me know how brave i was standing by my beliefs, that i never was alone because i had his support and backing always, you will be sorely missed martin, a great leader, a great hero and above all a great man.. thinking on all your loved ones.. beannacht agus buíochas a ghabháil leat mo chara.
