Tributes to ‘club legend’ coach who died after being struck by vehicle
THE funeral of a football coach killed in an accident near Newry will take place on Thursday.
Gary ‘Cookie’ Mcloughlin, a pedestrian who was in his 40s, died after being struck by a vehicle on the Forkhill Road, Newry, on Saturday evening.
Mr Mcloughlin, from Mill Meadows in Bessbrook, was a former football player and more recently was involved with coaching.
A death notice described him as a “devoted father of Matthew, much loved son of Jim and Maryann and treasured brother of the late Keith”.
His funeral service will take place on Thursday at St Brigid’s Church, The Meadow, with burial afterwards in Monkshill cemetery.
Linfield Football Club posted a tribute to Mr Mcloughlin, whose son Matty, plays for the Blues’ under-18 side.
“Linfield Football Club are saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Gary Mcloughlin, father of Linfield U18s player and scholarship student Matty Mcloughlin,” said the club. “We pass our sincere condolences to Matty and his family at this very sad time.”
Carnbane League side Ashgrove Rovers FC said the club was “devastated” to hear of the passing of its former player.
Mr Mcloughlin played for the Newry-based club for six seasons and helped the club win its first trophy, scoring in the final of the Sean Havern Memorial Cup.
“He definitely will go down as a club legend as you always knew when he was around you were guaranteed a laugh and good time,” the club said. “We would like to pass on our condolences to his entire family circle at this heartbreaking time. RIP Cookie.”
Mr Mcloughlin helped coach Dungannon Swifts’ under-16 squad last season and the NIFL Premiership club passed on its condolences to his family.
“As a club we would like to pass on our condolences to the Mcloughlin family after the sudden passing of Gary,” said Dungannon Swifts.
“Gary helped out with our U16 team last season and everyone at the club would like to offer their prayers and support at this time to the wider family circle.”
The Road Ahead Support Group, which helps support those who have lost a loved one
‘This is a reminder of how fragile life can be... how dangerous our roads can be’
in a road traffic accident, expressed their condolences to Mr Mcloughlin’s family and the families of the four young people who died in a road accident in Armagh at the weekend.
“The people of Ballymacnab, Middletown, Tynan, Markethill and Newry, in fact throughout Northern Ireland, have been stunned over the weekend following the sudden, horrendous loss of such beautiful young lives,” it said.
“We are heartbroken for all who knew and loved them.
“This really is a stark reminder of how fragile life can be, how dangerous our roads can be and how in a spilt second our lives can be shattered.”