HOURS after they laid their soccer-loving son Oisín to rest, Nigel and Sharon McGrath were welcomed into Magheracross Parish Church in Ballinamallard to celebrate football, friendship and faith in a service entitled ‘Walk Alone? Never!’.

The Belcoo family had been invited to attend the evening by Canon Brian Harper and during the poignant service, which had been arranged for some time, they were told they were not alone.

Canon Harper, the Club Chaplain at Ballinamallard United, said he was “deeply honoured” to be joined by Oisín’s family, his fellow team-mates at Belcoo O’Rahilly’s and Father Séamus Quinn who had conducted his funeral, telling mourners that in the last couple of weeks the 13 year old had made a decision that he wanted to spend his life as a professional sportsman.

In his address, Canon Harper told the congregation: “There is nowhere that God is not.” “There is nowhere you can go that God does not go with you. There is no godless place. There are evil places, abusive places, corrupt places which feel as if they are draining your soul, but God is there too. In suffering, in joy, in celebration, in friendship, in company and when alone.

“That assurance is life changing because it redirects our path so that not only does God walk with us, but the warmth of that love draws us to walk with him. You’ll never walk alone,” he said.

Representatives from Ballinamallard United, including manager Whitey Anderson and fans read portions of Scripture and instead of traditional hymns, performed some common anthems as well, including; Abide with me, You Will Never Walk Alone, Glory Glory, Amazing Grace and You Raise Me Up, which was one of the last songs performed at Oisín’s funeral Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott, a member of Magheracross Parish Church, sat alongside GAA members during the service and afterwards paid tribute to the McGrath family.

“It was an amazing gesture of Nigel and Sharon McGrath and members of the wider family, along with colleagues from Oisín’s GAA club to attend this service after the week they have had, and the day in particular, with the funeral of their son.

“I hope and pray that the family can take some comfort from their unselfish decision to allow organ donation. Please remember the McGrath family, the community and St. Michael’s College in the weeks, months and years to come,” he said.

The previous day there were sombre scenes at Ferney Park when Ballinamallard and Coleraine footballers bowed their heads in memory of Oisín ahead of the match.