Tributes have been paid to the club cyclist and road racer Noel McDermott of Errigal CC who was killed while cycling in Donegal. He collided with a car out training (Photo: Errigal CC)
Noel McDermott Errigal CC killed cycling in Co Donegal
Tributes have been paid to cyclist Noel McDermott killed in Co Donegal when hit by a motorist while training.
Noel was a member of Errigal CC and a married father of three young children.
The 43-year-old was from a GAA background but had come to cycling in recent years.
He rode several road races last year and had also travelled abroad cycling with his club.
Errigal CC confirmed news of Noel’s death in a statement last evening, praising his contribution to the club and his fellow riders.
“It is with deep shock and sadness that we inform you of the tragic death our club member and friend Noel McDermott who died following an accident while out cycling,” it said.
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“Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Afric, their children, his brother Brian and all the extended family at this time.
“Always smiling, always willing to help and a determined racer; Noel was the ultimate clubman.”
Before taking up cycling in a serious way Noel was a member of St Eunan’s GAA Club. He had remained active on the Gaelic games scene and the club also paid tribute to him.
Based in Letterkenny, the GAA club also singled out the contribution made by Noel; that benefitted others.
“There are no words,” it said in a tribute to him. “We have lost a friend and club mate; one of the good guys.
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“His family have lost a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle, a brother-in-law.
“If you didn’t know Noel, he was the guy out in the car park at O’Donnell Park when the big games were on; be it Donegal or the Seniors and Reserves at home in the league.
“Noel was there, missing the game so that everything was ok for patrons in the car park.
“Quietly going about his business on behalf of the club. And he had to travel from Gaoth Dobhair to do it, which makes it even more remarkable.
“Rightly, he was recognised a couple of years ago as Club Person of the Year. An unsung hero, a volunteer in every sense of those words.”
Noel was killed while cycling on the Magheroarty to Ardsbeg road close to Gortahork village just before 4pm pm Friday.
He was training at the time, in west Donegal close to where he lived, when he was in collision with a motorist driving a car.
Garda and paramedics attended the crash site but Noel was pronounced dead at the scene.
Gardai are investigating the crash and blocked the road to traffic to review the scene.
The car involved remained on the stretch of road where the fatality took place as the Garda carried out a lengthy examination.
Originally from Hawthorn Heights, Letterkenny, Noel had settled with his family in Brinlack, Gortahork.
Funeral arrangements
Errigal CC said Noel would be waked from 12 noon today, Sunday, at his home.
The funeral mass takes place on Tuesday at 11 o’clock in Knockfola Chapel with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery
Family flowers only, donations in lieu to Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus Ireland and Donegal Hospice care of any family member or Kieran Roarty funeral director.
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