Tributes as rugby coach laid to rest following sudden death at age of 37

A RUGBY coach who died suddenly has been described as “bright and bubbly” by his heartbroken family.

David (Davy) Johnston, who was 37 and from Lack, Co Fermanagh, passed away at the weekend after taking ill.

He was laid to rest on Tuesday at Colaghty Church of Ireland Parish Church.

Mr Johnston had a long association with Enniskillen Rugby Football Club as a player and more recently as a youth coach. He also worked as a manager of Omagh Cinema.

His sister Sandra told the Tyrone Constitution: “David was very good working with young people — he worked with many at a fellowship group in Fermanagh. He was a bright and bubbly man, he was jovial and helpful.

“David held the role of manager since August having previously worked as the manager of the cinema in Enniskillen for 14 years. He had spent much of his life working in Enniskillen, where he was very popular.

“Various people who visited over the last few days said how helpful he had been at work and how nice he was to deal with. He was a real people person. His death was very sudden. The community have been very supportive and helpful and we can’t thank them enough for that.”

President of Enniskillen RFC Norman Richmond was a long-time friend of Mr Johnston.

He said: “He was a bubbly and enthusiastic character who was full of life. He had one of those infectious smiles that made things better, no matter how bad they were.

“I knew Davy well because he came to the club when I was captain of the second XV and he played for me.

“He was one of those individuals who lit up the changing rooms and who was great to be around on and off the pitch. An injury to his neck and back constrained him playing, but lately he returned to the club to help with youth coaching as he was determined to put back what he’d gotten from the club.

“He was down to earth so he was well respected by the kids. When I heard of his death it was devastating. It was immensely shocking.”

Mourners gathered at the church near Mr Johnston’s home in Lack to bid farewell to him on Tuesday.

Rector of Colaghty Church Rev Alan Irwin said: “He was a loving, caring individual in many ways. In his younger days he did some work for the Youth for Christ Camp and some outreach work with the food banks in Enniskillen.

“David would never have boasted about what he had done, in fact some things he was involved in are only coming to light night now.”

Ulster Unionist MLA Rosemary Barton had known Mr Johnston for many years and said he was “a very kind-hearted person who was extremely popular”.

She said the community had been left in a state of shock.

Mr Johnston is survived by his parents Geoff and Betty and his sisters Karen and Sandra.

The Christmas lights switch-on planned for next Tuesday in Lack village has been postponed as a mark of respect to the Johnston family.