Listen: Emotional Kenny Shiels Reads Poem In Tribute To Ryan McBride

Ryan McBride is today being laid to rest in his beloved Derry, following his tragic passing on Sunday last. The Derry City captain was just 27. Hundreds lined the streets of Derry in tribute to McBride, with Michael D. Higgins and John Delaney among those in attendance.

McBride died suddenly on Sunday, just 24 hours after captaining his team to a victory against Drogheda United. That was to be the final of McBride's 170 appearances for the Candystripes.

During the funeral service, Derry City manager Kenny Shiels took to the pulpit to read a poem written in McBride's honour. Shiels' voice quivered throughout, and the congregation erupted in applause after the final line: "But in your absence/It won’t be the same".

Here is a transcript of the poem in full:

In your absence
Our trojan warrior
You’ve ran your last race
Your passion and energy, you just loved the place

In your absence
With love and respect
In your absence
We will never forget

You were our captain
Without all the hype
The one and the only
Our top Candystripe

In your absence
We will endeavour to fight
In your absence
With all of our might

Our Brandywell boy
You wore stripes with great pride
It made you so happy
To play in the side

In your absence
We still feel you here
The big number five
So vivid, so clear

Ryan, we love you
With all of our heart
A giant so gentle
And now we’re apart

In your absence
We will still play the game
But in your absence
It won’t be the same

Q Radio News filmed a video outside the church as Shiels' tribute was broadcast over the tannoy system, and you can watch that below:

An Emotional @derrycityfc manager Kenny Shields reads a poem for Captain Ryan McBride who died on Sunday aged 27 #Candystripe #DCFC pic.twitter.com/v3xetk3iGV

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) March 23, 2017

See Also: James McClean Will Be Wearing #5 Against Wales In Honour Of Ryan McBride