Mark Farren's funeral told that he left an 'indelible mark' on many people

The funeral has taken place of the late Derry City legend, Mark Farren.

The 33-year-old, from Greencastle in Co Donegal, passed away earlier this week after an eight-year battle against cancer.

Speaking during Requiem Mass in St Mary’s Church, Ballybrack, this morning, Fr Michael Canney told mourners Derry City’s all-time record goalscorer’s “short but highly influential life” had left an “indelible mark on the life of many people.”

Fr Canny said in the eight years since his first diagnosis, Mark had “fought a good fight,” assisted by Terri his wife, his family and “many really good friends.”

Fr Canny added: “Mark’s short but highly influential life has left an indelible mark on the life of many people, particularly those involved with football and Derry City FC in particular.

“I’m told that Mark, having come back from Tranmere Rovers where he played as left-back, was picked by ‘Oxo’ Paul McLaughlin to play up front for Derry Reserves.

“Mark played up front and scored a hat-trick. This was to be the first of many days that he scored goals for Derry. Indeed, many say that Mark was central to the success of Derry at that time. Mark had something deep inside him, a desire, a dream, a vision and he went for it.

“Mark was very committed to his training, clinical at scoring goals in training, as well as being an important player in the dressing room.

“Despite his on the pitch success he was very modest and unassuming. He was never a person to talk up or boast about his achievements. He let his feet and head do the talking.

“My Brandywell insider, tells me that when Mark met Terri he was a very happy person and that life was complete for him.

“His marriage to Terri in 2009 was a very happy occasion for him. He loved his wife and football and loved the prospects of being a father.

“Unfortunately, his time as a father was to be very short because of the death of their triplets Terri, Marlie and Millie.

“In the Gospel we heard of Jesus speak of the many rooms in his Father’s House, presumably there are also many football pitches for Mark to play on.

“In the first Reading we heard of a time for the different things.

“Today is a day to mourn and remember.

“Terri, for you as his wife as well as his parents Kathleen and Michael, brother and sisters and family circle, it is a time to mourn the loss of someone very special in your lives.

“For those of us who could only but admire Mark and his goal scoring skills it is also a time to mourn his passing from this world but also a time of very special memories.”

Fr Canny concluded: “A time to remember Mark as the young, committed and dedicated striker whom we loved and whose likeness may never come this way again during our lifetime.”