Tributes to highly popular athlete

Tributes to highly popular athlete

17 March 2021

TRIBUTES have been paid to Clough’s Glenn McBride who has died at the age of 29.

Glenn, who passed away peacefully in the Belfast Cancer Centre on Saturday, was a talented sportsman and a highly popular member of Down Special Olympics Club in Downpatrick and Shimna Stars Special Olympics Club in Newcastle.

He particularly enjoyed soccer and basketball and played both to a high standard. He won a basketball gold medal with Team Ulster at the Ireland Games in 2010.

He also won a soccer gold medal with Team Down at the Area Games in Belfast in 2017 and was a member of the Ulster soccer team at the Ireland Games the following year.

Lawrence Power, head coach of the Down Special Olympics Club football team, said he learned of Glenn’s death with great sadness.

“Our sympathies go to Glenn’s family at this time,” he said.  “Glenn’s memory will always be remembered in the Down Special Olympics Club and especially with the football team.  He was a young man who had a love for football and basketball. “

Mr Power said he encouraged Glenn to become a football coach and to take part in an Irish FA coaching programme.

He also paid tribute to IFA development officer Seamus Heath for assisting Glenn with his training.

He continued: “Glenn had a good attitude both on and off the field and would encourage the players around to do likewise.  He was a leader and a player who always gave one hundred per cent and the players respected him. 

“Whenever this pandemic clears we will return to our football training sessions with hardened hearts knowing that our friend and player will no longer wear the number 6 shirt. Rest in peace.”

Also paying tribute to Glenn, Mr Heath described him as a friend and said he would be sorely missed.

He recalled: “I first met Glenn when I coached once a week at Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick over 15 years ago.

“It was there that his football started to blossom as they kept reaching the Northern Ireland schools finals.

“Glenn had a desire for winning and that competitive edge drove him and his teammates to great success in the schools competitions.

“As he grew into manhood he excelled for Football Clubs United under Cyril McKinney and Harry Walsh and Down Special Olympics with Frank Donnelly and Lawrence Power and played in high profile game both at home and abroad.”

Mr Heath said that as he got to know Glenn better they formed a bond and became friends for life.

He went on: “As I travelled around the district coaching and managing, Glenn became part of the football scene.

“He worked with me in local schools, football camps and assisted me when I took his own teams for their weekly sessions.

Where ever we went he left a positive and lasting impression.  It got to a stage if I turned up at places without him they would ask, where’s Glenn? 

“My memories of Glenn will always be one of someone you could take anywhere with you.

His manners were impeccable, he could hold a conversation, he cared for his friends and team-mates and his infectious smile and laugh was there for all to witness.

Glenn’s supportive family circle were a credit to everyone. When I required him to be ped off somewhere or collected they were there at any given minute and the warmth of their support was outstanding.

Mr Heath added: “I have lost a friend for now and our district will miss him sorely, but we will all stay together to celebrate his life and keep his memory in the present.”

The sympathy of the community is extended to Glenn’s family.