In honour of GAA legend Teddy McCarthy, the Sam Maguire and Liam McCarthy trophies were raised over his coffin before his funeral mass today.
During the packed ceremony at St Joseph’s church in his hometown of Glanmire, Co Cork he was remembered as a "humble, gifted person" who loved his family and Gaelic games.
After the famous football and hurling cups were brought to the coffin the congregation were told that the GAA legend had "made his final leap into heaven".
READ MORE - Tributes paid to Cork GAA double hero Teddy McCarthy
Mourners heard that Mr McCarthy’s family and the entire GAA community are still trying to come to terms with his unexpected death on Tuesday at the age of 57.
The co-parish priest of Glanmire Fr Pat Fogarty said the community was "stopped in their tracks" when they heard of the sudden death of the GAA great.
He said: "It was like a dark cloud descending over our community here in Glanmire, throughout the county, the country and beyond.
"My sincere sympathies to you Oonagh (his wife), his daughter Sinead, his sons Cian and Niall, to his adored grandchildren, you could never underestimate the joy and pride you brought your grandad, Tiernan and Joey."
The funeral mass was told that Teddy McCarthy was the only man to win All-Ireland senior hurling and football championship medals in the same year, achieving that historic feat in 1990 when Cork won the double.
In a moving tribute, his son Cian McCarthy said his father was never one to "stick to the script" so he followed his example and didn’t have one, instead speaking from his heart.
He also detailed his dad’s dedication to teaching his grandchildren how to play hurling and football.
He said: "He really loved hurling and football so to see his grandkids getting a kick out of it, playing games and carrying his legacy through to another generation, he was really proud of that."
Then, joking, he added: "He used to say ‘it skips a generation,’ and looks over at me."
But amid all the sorrow his son said that they also follow his father’s example even in their grief.
"We’ll stand tall because that’s exactly what he did for all of us," he said.
Among the mourners was Tanaiste Micheal Martin, as well as many high-ranking GAA officials. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins were also represented at the ceremony.
Former Ireland international and Munster star, Ronan O’Gara also paid tribute to the late GAA legend.
Many mourners held back tears as the two grandsons he adored, Tiernan and Joey, brought the jerseys Mr McCarthy wore during his record breaking double All-Ireland in wins in 1990 to the altar.
After the funeral mass thousands turned out to line the streets of Glanmire to pay their respects to the Cork GAA hero.
READ NEXT:
- 'There's an incredible cloud over Cork today.' - Larry Tompkins on Teddy McCarthy passing
- Ronan O'Gara pays tribute to 'inspirational' GAA legend Teddy McCarthy
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