The funeral of hugely respected Tyrone GAA player, manager and teacher Jody Gormley heard on Thursday that his “pure spirit and warrior soul” will remain with everyone who knew and loved him.
Thousands of mourners packed into the Good Shepherd church on the Ormeau Road in Belfast to bid a fond farewell to the 53-year-old, with well-known GAA figures among the throngs who packed into a nearby church hall set up to broadcast to those who couldn’t fit into the chapel itself.
There were those even who had to be content to wait outside in the car park, such was the depth of mourners who wished to pay their respects to the Tyrone GAA great.
GAA president Jarlath Burns was among those in attendance at Thursday’s funeral, as were teammates from the Tyrone team of the 1990s who soldiered by his side.
The Trillick man passed away at home on Monday. He had been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer earlier this year.
There were staff and pupils of Abbey CBS in Newry, where Jody had been a teacher, alongside members of the 2006 school team who he managed to Hogan Cup success.
A Trillick jersey was draped over Jody’s coffin as he made his final journey, while there were guards of honour from former teammates, clubs, counties and schools which he left an indelible mark on.
But above his GAA exploits both on the pitch with Trillick, Tyrone and Bredagh, and off it with many others in addition, Jody’s funeral was a remembrance of him as a man and the role model he was to young and old in attendance.
His comments as he faced the ultimate challenge of a devastating cancer diagnosis reverberated around the GAA world and much further in recent weeks.
Former Irish News sports reporter and columnist Paddy Heaney, former teammate of Jody’s at Bredagh, delivered an emotional tribute to his close friend.
“The biggest lesson he gave us was his life,” Paddy told mourners.
“He showed us how to live, and even showed us how to die.
“Until his last breath, he preached by example.
“Physically Jody has gone, but his pure spirit and warrior soul will always be with us.”
Delivering a sermon at the funeral mass, Holy Rosary parish priest F Brendan Hickland told mourners Jody was a “leader, model teacher and a role model”.
“Jody had a deep sense of respect for people,” Fr Hickland said.
“Jody always looked out for the good in other people. He was an encourager, not a criticiser, and in looking for good in others, he did all he could possibly do to draw out those gifts and talents that he saw beneath the surface of people’s lives.
“He was a supportive presence for his family, friends, colleagues, and anyone who crossed his path in life. We have met people in life who can drain us with negativity and put us down by their attitude.
“Jody, on the other hand, was a radiator. He radiated vigour for life, energy, enthusiasm, love, and selfless self-giving.
“He had a profound love for his wife and his children, and this love for one another was reflected back on the whole family. I know Jody said to you all, be strong.
“He knows there are tough days ahead of you, but love does not come to an end. Your love for Jody and his love for you will always be a source of strength in the tough times ahead.”
Following Requiem Mass his remains were transferred to St MacCartan’s graveyard in Trillick via Omagh and Dromore.
His coffin was carried around Páirc Uí Dhonnaile in the village before being laid in his final resting place.
