Pádraig McDonald (20) was killed in the tragedy near Cookstown in the early hours of Friday morning.
The lasting impact that Mr McDonald left on his home village of Loughmacrory was clear as hundreds gathered in St Mary’s Church for his funeral mass.
Fr Peter McAneney began the mass by inviting Mr McDonald’s brothers and sister to offer gifts symbolising his love for football, farming, his family and home.
Fr McAneney described him as an “exceptional and fine young man”.
He spoke about his own memories of Mr McDonald, recalling how he arrived late to Christmas Day mass less than a week ago.
“I won’t forget the smile on his face at the end of mass,” Fr McAneney said, recalling how Mr McDonald’s younger brother told the congregation what Santa had left them on Christmas morning.
The funeral of Padraig McDonald took place at St Mary’s Church, Loughmacrory. Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
Fr McAneney said he regularly visited the McDonald family home and knew Pádraig’s parents were proud of their ‘exceptional son’.
The priest recalled speaking to Mr McDonald’s primary school teachers who remarked on his ‘gentle nature and kind heart’.
“He strived to be the best he could be, he was a joy to teach and a joy inside and out of the classroom,” Fr McAneney said.
He quoted a tribute from Mr McDonald’s secondary school, the Dean Maguirc College in Carrickmore.
“The entire school community of Dean Maguirc College is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of our past pupil Pádraig McDonald. “Pádraig was much loved and highly regarded by both pupils and staff alike.
“He was a very popular member of E23 form class.”
The funeral of Padraig McDonald took place at St Mary’s Church, Loughmacrory. Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press.
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Fr McAneney also read a tribute from Gina’s Bar and Lounge, where Mr McDonald often drank.
“There are many people who walk through our doors, but every so often someone comes along who is truly special — not just a customer, but a friend to us all,” he read.
“When Ducky walked into the bar, the whole place instantly brightened.
“It didn’t matter if you were old or young, a familiar face or someone he’d never met, Ducky would chat away and make everyone feel welcome and at ease in his presence.
“The bar won’t feel the same without him. He will be deeply missed by our customers, but especially by all of the staff at Gina’s.
“When Ducky came into the bar, he might have come in for a drink, but he never hesitated to lend a hand. Whether it was taking in kegs or emptying bins, no ask was ever too big — and it was always done with a smile.
“And when we needed an extra pair of hands behind the bar, he never left us stuck. He stepped in on so many occasions, always with his familiar line: ‘I’ll never see you stuck.’
“And he truly never did.”
Mr McDonald was a former youth player with the local club, Loch Mhic Ruairi Naomh Treasa CLG.
Poignantly, as his remains returned home on Friday night, the cortege stopped at the team’s Pairc an Locha ground where he picked up his jersey for the final time.
The priest described how one of his coaches praised his ‘tigerish tackling’.
He noted Mr McDonald’s various sporting achievements with the team, particularly his under-14 league title, when he scored the winning goal in a key game.
The service also heard how, in recent years, the McDonald family purchased a farm, which Pádraig took great pride in.
The crash, which happened just before 1am on Friday morning, has caused widespread shock.
A teenager also suffered “life-changing injuries” and several others remain in hospital.
Fr McAneney encouraged the congregation to pray for the injured boys.