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Ryan McBride (file pic). Presseye/Lorcan Doherty/INPHO

Several League of Ireland fixtures postponed following Ryan McBride's death

The 27-year-old Derry native was team captain and had been at his hometown club since 2011.

Updated at 13.53

THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland have confirmed the postponement of the Derry-Limerick game in light of Ryan McBride’s tragic passing.

The encounter had originally been abandoned after just 24 minutes following floodlight failure at Maginn Park earlier this month, while the rearranged fixture had been due to take place tomorrow evening.

All EA Sports Cup First Round fixtures scheduled to take place tomorrow evening have also been postponed, as has Saturday’s Premier Division fixture between Galway United and Derry, with new dates and times for the games to be announced in due course.

The 27-year-old Derry native was team captain and had been at his hometown club since 2011.

In addition to making over 100 league appearances, McBride featured in both the 2012 and 2014 FAI Cup finals, helping Derry defeat St Pat’s in the former game.

The FAI have also extended their sympathies to McBride’s family.

Irish football is in mourning with the loss of a true great of the game, with the shocking news about Ryan McBride’s passing,” the association’s CEO John Delaney said

“I would like to pass on my deepest condolences to Ryan’s family, friends, and his club, Derry City FC, for which he was their leader, their captain and their inspiration.

On behalf of the FAI Board and everyone in the Association, I would like to offer our sympathies to all who were blessed to have known Ryan.

“Ryan’s passing has left a deep shock throughout football. We will remember Ryan with a tribute at Friday night’s Fifa World Cup qualifier against Wales.”

FAI Director of Competitions Fran Gavin added: “I am shocked at the sad news of Ryan’s passing. I saw Ryan in action for Derry City against Drogheda United recently, where he was outstanding as he so often was for his team.

“Our thoughts are with his Ryan’s family and all at Derry City at this very sad time. It is a terrible blow to the SSE Airtricity League and to everyone in football to lose such a great player.”

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Paul Fennessy
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