Funeral for popular Gael Phelim Brewster

Tributes from GAA and other clubs across Lurgan and Craigavon have been written for the 43-year-old who is mourned by his wife Una and three young children, James, Clara and Michael.

Indeed Phelim was so highly regarded the Athletic Grounds in Armagh held a minute’s silence on Sunday prior to the Provincial final.

An Eire Og member Phelim captained his club’s Reserve side to an All County Championship title back in 2011.

Chairman Martin Hoey said “In today’s society you rarely come across characters of Phelim’s magnitude”.

He described Phelim as a ‘die hard club man’. “You never were too far from a smile and a laugh when you were in Phelim’s company and it was impossible not to become engrossed in his infectious personality. For me his personality and the fantastic stories associated with him will live long in the memory of Eire Og.”

Family friend Thomas Larkham said he was an ‘absolute gentleman’.

“He was a neighbour of mine and any time we were doing things like estate clean-ups he would be one of the first people to offer his help.

“He had helped out a lot with community work and with the residents’ group. Any time anything needed done he was always the first one there to help. He always would be out and about with the kids and he maybe had them all out giving them golf lessons on a bit of a green near his house.

St Peter’s Athletic Club Lurgan said: “Phelim was always a friendly face taking time to chat and always encouraging others, his presence will be sorely missed. Thinking of his family at this time.”