Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
UNITED IN GRIEF
Tributes paid to tragic Jerry on an emotional day for all involved at Carrick
EMOTIONS ran high before and after 90 minutes of football that transcended the mundane nuts and bolts of points and plaudits in the Irish League.
Glentoran made it 10 games unbeaten with a 1-0 win at the Loughshore Arena, but the scoreline was a mere subtext to a poignant day in East Antrim. Fittingly, the narrative was dominated by bright images and vivid memories of former Carrick Rangers player Jerry Thompson, who took his own life 13 days ago.
Condolences were also expressed to Glentoran captain Marcus Kane following the death of his baby son Harrie earlier in the week.
Thompson’s family were in attendance to witness an impeccably observed minute’s silence, during which both sets of players donned the 24-year-old’s No21 Carrick shirt.
A tearful Rangers boss Niall Currie (inset) said: “It was such an emotional day and it was tough to get your head around things and focus on the football.
“It’s such a heartbreaking situation and it was about remembering Jerry and looking after his family, who were at the game. That was important.
“Jerry wasn’t at this club for very long but he made a big impact and he was such a genuine, absolute gentleman of a young man.
“He’ll be part of us forever and I told his mummy and daddy that we’ll be here for them if they ever need anything. “We’re all suffering, but it is nothing compared to the pain his family is going through and what they have ahead of him.”
Carrick, who have retired the No21 shirt in Thompson’s memory, lost Saturday’s game to a Navid Nasseri striker 17 minutes from time.
But Currie couldn’t have asked more from his players.
“I’m very proud of them,” he said. “We wanted to play the way Jerry played and that was with his heart on his sleeve and I got that.
“We matched Glentoran in every way and a great finish was the only difference between the two teams.
“We’re disappointed with the result, but there was a lot more to the day than football. I’m very proud of how we represented Jerry.”
Glens boss Mick Mcdermott paid tribute to both sets of fans for the “support they offered” both Thompson and Oval skipper Kane following the tragic loss of his baby son.
He said: “You have seen the (Irish League) community come together – fans, reporters, coaches, players – and that has been great to see.”
A Glentoran statement read: “Deepest condolences to our captain Marcus Kane, Aimee and their daughter on the tragic loss of their baby boy Harrie Marcus Kane.
“The love and thoughts and everyone at Glentoran is with the Kane family at this sad time.”