After the sudden death of one of their club mates, these Irish riders put on a touching tribute at this funeral (Photo with thanks to UlsterHerald.com)
Mourning the sudden loss of one of their own, Eamon McClean, the riders of Omagh Wheelers have put on a fantastic display at his funeral service.
A near-peloton of riders decked out in club colours and kit from sportives he had ridden formed a guard of honour as Eamon’s remains were brought to the church for his funeral mass.
And when the service was over the club mates headed the funeral cortege, leading Eamon on his last journey to his resting place at Drumragh cemetery.
The photos here capture the tribute and are published here with the permission of UlsterHerald.com.
Eamon passed away suddenly last week aged just 51 years and over 1,000 people attended his funeral service last Friday at the Sacred Heart Church in Omagh.
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Club president Stevie McKenna said while Eamon had only become involved with it about three years ago, he had become an integral after first taking to cycling via the Cooley to Cooley event and the St Enda’s Cycle.
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The riders led Eamon's remains into the cemetery and formed a guard of honour, as they had done at the church earlier (Photo with thanks to UlsterHerald.com)
And having been a cross community worker for many years working with people from all sections of society, father of three Eamon brought those skills into his cycling in helping his busy club with events and assisting newcomers.
Eamon became an Omagh Wheeler about three years ago having fallen in love with cycling while training for a number of charity cycles - In Eamon's case it was Cooley to Cooley with friends from his hometown Beragh and then the St Enda's Cycle.
“He very quickly developed friendships in Omagh Wheelers and even though it’s only been three short years since he joined, Eamon's natural way with people means it feels like we have known him a life time,” said McKenna.
“The photographs I have seen this week have evoked some wonderful memories of great days on the bike in fantastic company.
“As a club we have suffered a great loss. This loss though cannot be compared to the loss suffered by his wife Roisin Gilheany, his three boys and the McClean family.
“They have lost a husband, father, son and brother. They remain very much in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
“The club were humbled this week when asked by the family to participate in Eamon's funeral and we hope that our last cycle with Eamon as we accompanied him to his final resting place gave his family some shred of comfort.
“We hope that with all the other clubs who participated we gave Eamon a fitting send off.”
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