Hundreds pay tribute to tragic NI fan Darren Rodgers

The Northern Ireland fan who died after a fall from a promenade in Nice has been buried following a funeral service in Ballymena today.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jun 2016, 21:53 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 20:13 BST
Remembering tragic Northern Ireland fan Darren Rodgers during today's funeral service in Ballymena. Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)Remembering tragic Northern Ireland fan Darren Rodgers during today's funeral service in Ballymena. Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)
Remembering tragic Northern Ireland fan Darren Rodgers during today's funeral service in Ballymena. Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of Darren Rodgers at St Patrick’s Church in the town on Saturday.

The service was held before Northern Ireland’s 1-0 defeat by Wales in the Parc de Princes in Paris.

The 24-year-old was later interred at Ballee Cemetery.

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Wiping away the tears at Darren Rodgers' funeral service at St Patricks Church in Ballymena. ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)Wiping away the tears at Darren Rodgers' funeral service at St Patricks Church in Ballymena. ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)
Wiping away the tears at Darren Rodgers' funeral service at St Patricks Church in Ballymena. ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)

Darren died just hours after he watched Northern Ireland lose narrowly to Poland in the group stages of Euro 2016.

He was the only son of Jacqueline and Paul Rodgers.

Northern Ireland players wore black armbands out of respect for Darren during the 2-0 win over Ukraine in Lyons and there was an ovation during the 24th minute of the game.

Republic of Ireland fans also paid tribute to Rodgers, chanting ‘Stand up for the Ulsterman’ during their 1-1 draw with Sweden.

The funeral service of another Northern Ireland fan, father-of-three Robert Rainey (62), takes place on Tuesday.

He died after collapsing in the stands during the Ukraine victory.

Related topics:BallymenaUkraine