Joe Brolly was among those who paid tribute to the late Frankie Wilson this week, after the hero of Northern Ireland sport sadly died of cancer at the age of just 52.
Wilson was manager of Banbridge Town until a month before his death on Friday, despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier in 2022.
He was a popular figure across multiple sports in Northern Ireland, having made his name both as a football player and coach, and an intercounty Gaelic footballer for the Antrim team.
His death at such a young age has sparked an outpouring of affection for Wilson.
Frankie Wilson: Beloved sportsman dies at 52
Frankie Wilson was a successful football manager, having managed the Northern Ireland U-18 schoolboys team, as well as spells in charge of Bangor and Lurgan Celtic. His playing career saw him play for various Northern Irish clubs, as well as Crewe United in the English league.
Alongside his success in soccer was a successful Gaelic football career, and Wilson lined out for Antrim at intercounty level. Just last week, he was inducted into the hall of fame at his club, Lámh Dhearg.
Hall of Fame Award 2022
The Executive Committee of Lámh Dhearg CLG are delighted to announce that the recipient of this...
Posted by Lámh Dhearg CLG on Monday, October 24, 2022
He was also a well liked PE teacher at Our Lady and St Patrick's College in Knock.
His death understandably has brought great sadness to Northern Irish sporting spheres, and tributes have poured in from all corners.
Gerard Lawlor, chief executive of the Northern Irish Football League, said:
Frankie was a much loved and respected figure in the Irish League for many years as a player and a manager. His courage and fighting spirit in recent months were reflective of how he played and enjoyed the game on the pitch.
Our thoughts are with the Wilson family circle and everyone connected with Banbridge Town Football Club at this sad time.
Tributes also came from his former club at Bangor, while the school in which he taught also shared a message of condolence to Twitter.
— OLSPCK (@OLSPCK) October 28, 2022
A tribute also came from former Derry Gaelic footballer and RTÉ pundit Joe Brolly.
Brolly took to Twitter to share his sadness upon hearing the news, and said that Wilson was a "wonderful human being" who was "full of life".
Gutted at the death of
Frankie Wilson. An incredible
sportsman, he played Irish league and Gaelic football at the top level. Coached the NI u18s & every school team at St Pat's Knock where he was a living legend. A wonderful human being. So full of life. pic.twitter.com/nXlHLrA92z— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) October 28, 2022
Frankie Wilson will be sorely missed by many areas of the sporting world in Northern Ireland - not just for his achievements on the pitch, but for his personable nature and attitude.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
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