Across almost two decades Aaron Duke watched Aaron Moffett lead Dollingstown to record-breaking success and retire as the club’s greatest-ever footballer – but still answers without hesitation how his late friend’s enduring legacy will forever remain not the player but the person.

This weekend marks six months since the tragic passing of Moffett at just 38 years old from injuries sustained in a road accident outside Markethill on July 12.

Having lifted 13 trophies as Dollingstown captain across 13 seasons before stepping into a behind-the-scenes role at the Irish League club, Moffett’s impressive achievements on the pitch secured his standing across Northern Ireland football.

Moffett’s reputation was reflected across widespread tributes last summer in recognition of a warrior spirit between first and final whistle but deep warmth and faith in the friendship of football outside 90 minutes.

placeholder image — Aaron Moffett (left) as Dollingstown captain in 2016 with striker Aaron Duke celebrating Bob Radcliffe Cup final success. (Photo by Eamonn Shanks Photography)

A family appeal at the funeral to ‘Be more Moff’ in celebration of a life built on treasured moments far beyond the football field is one Duke has embraced as a former team-mate but also lifelong friend.

With his father, Gary, a long-serving manager at Dollingstown, Duke can recall as a boy first watching Moffett walk into the club in 2008 cracking jokes before quickly establishing his professionalism and dedication.

Over the years, the pair stood divided by the length of a football pitch as pillars of Dollingstown’s play in, respectively, the roles of centre-back and centre-forward but united outside of the 90 minutes as travel partners and friends.

Those memories from along the miles together remain more significant to Duke than the medals as he continues to navigate the heartbreaking loss alongside a greater determination to celebrate the life.

"What he did in his playing career was amazing but I will always respect Aaron more as a person than footballer,” said 29-year-old Duke. “It's crazy to think it's six months...I think 90 per cent of the time I'm still waiting for him to walk into the room.

"He's a big motivation to me in life...we had an ongoing joke we were brothers both called Aaron.

"He was very close to me, I would speak to him on a personal level, about far more than just football.

"I was only a kid when he came into Dollingstown and my Dad was manager, then I started to train with the club.

"I knew him, played with him for years and even against him a few times.

"Obviously I know him from football but, more importantly, outside of games from all those club weekends away together and trips.

"So many remember and respect Aaron through his amazing contribution to Dollingstown but to his family and friends it is obviously much more.

“I see him more as one of my best friends, he would have helped me quite a bit outside of football...he was just one of a kind.

"Me, ‘Moff’ and Nathan McConnell travelled together every week and would socialise after games.

"We have so many stories and all those laughs from travelling together...McConnell and myself talk about the big guy all the time.”

Irish League club Dollingstown's Aaron Moffett shirt number retirement tribute f...

Defeat last Boxing Day for Dollingstown in the Bob Radcliffe Cup final came a decade on from the club’s first triumph in the trophy – a 5-1 win over Coagh United in which Moffett, Duke and McConnell all played.

“In 2016, I got three goals, Josh Norton scored one and then ‘Moff’...before the final last December me and McConnell were sending each other pictures of that win.

“We discussed between us how someone should say something this year and Nathan made an unbelievable pre-match speech as vice-captain.

“He really laid his heart out and what he said was just brilliant so, yes, Aaron was in our thoughts and a lot of boys were thinking of him.

“A few of us went back to the club after losing, had a drink together and said how we'd done everything we possibly could except winning and how the big guy would have been proud of us.

"One of the things I remember McConnell saying was don't do it FOR Moff...be like Moff, play like Moff and do what Moff did.

"Wear your heart on your sleeve and leave everything out on the pitch.

“He comes up all the time in conversation.

"People call him Mr Dollingstown...everybody loved him, everybody still loves him but we've got to carry on what he's done in terms of the standards he set, his attitude towards life and the professionalism he put into everything.

"We won the Bob Radcliffe Cup again after he'd retired and I can still remember talking to him that night and how chuffed he was to see the club win the trophy.

“He came into the changing room after and gave me a big hug.

“Because of the time we spent together outside of just football I’m friends with his wife Lindsey and it is lovely to see his parents, John and Florence, start to come back to Dollingstown games and the club will always be a home to them, plus his sister Hannah and rest of the family.

"They will always be in our thoughts...around the club you can still feel Aaron’s presence, his memory will always stay on because he was loved and respected as someone you could count on in any situation.

"He will always be the main man for me.”