DERRY will be a city in mourning today as it buries two of its sons.
There will be a sea of red and white this morning as fans dressed in the colours of Derry City come out in their droves to pay their final respects to the Candy Stripes ‘Captain Courageous’ Ryan McBride.
Ryan, 27, was found dead in the bedroom of the family home at Bluebell Hill Gardens by his father on Sunday night.
His sudden and tragic death stunned his family and shocked the world of football.
His Requiem Masss will take place at 10 am at St Columba’s Chapel at Long Tower in the Brandywell area.
Hours later at 2 pm, one of the biggest funeral’s the city has seen since Bloody Sunday will take place for former deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.
The IRA commander-turned political leader died in the early hours of Tuesday, aged 66, following a short illness.
Thousands of people are expected to turn out to pay their respects at the afternoon Requiem Mass in the same chapel.
Former US president Bill Clinbon and Martin McGuinness during the peace process
Former US President Bill Clinton, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and former First Minister Peter Robinson will also be attending.
DUP leader Arlene Foster has now confirmed that she will attend.
Secretary of State James Brokenshire will represent the UK government alongside a number of senior political, civic and religious leaders.
It’s expected the Bogside neighbourhood will come to a standstill during this afternoon’s service at the Long Tower church.
Following his Requiem Mass, the remains of Mr McGuinness will be taken to the republican plot at the City Cemetery for burial.
Sinn fein’s Michelle O’Neill and Gerry Adams drape the coffin of Martin McGuinness with the Tricolour as his wife Bernie looks on. (North West Newspix)
