They took Mark Lyons (41) for his last trip to Pairc na hEirne under an icy November moon on Sunday evening shortly after 8 pm in a week when the tight-knit community of Belleek has experienced great joy and sorrow.

A cavalcade of cars drove behind the hearse and there was a black and amber wreath with his No.8 jersey inside the hearse, and he was laid out in his Liverpool jersey and Erne Gaels socks.

Members of the Erne Gaels GAA club stood in perfect silence as the hearse paused briefly and looked down on the floodlit pitch before bringing him back home to his family in Rockfield Park for the last time.

The last journey to the field was most fitting as this was Mark’s Colosseum for he was one of Erne Gaels' greats and stood even taller in the heat of battle.

This was his arena where he showcased his exceptional natural skills, legendary hits and deadly one-liners.

Off the field, he tasted life through the teeth and made you feel better for his company for he had that cheeky charm of the forever young.

And he was well known to referees as he played on the edge but played with all of his huge heart and he was the happiest of men as he watched his teammates take the New York Cup to Belleek for the first time in 43 years from Plymouth only last Saturday week.

‘Big Nuggets’ was the breed of Gaelic giants like his granduncles ‘Yankee’ Jimmy and ‘Yankee' Tommy Gallagher and was utterly fearless on the field of play.

Mark excelled at Gaelic football, hurling, darts and pool and he was well-known all over South Donegal for his love of life, laughter and people. Hundreds and hundreds of mourners had attended his wake on Saturday and Sunday in his sister Maggie’s house in Breesy Park.

They came from all arts and parts and included the Fermanagh GAA senior football and the entire Erne Gaels panel and management in full regalia.

"Let Mark inspire you" were the final words from Mark’s funeral celebrant Fr. Frank McManus to a packed congregation in St. Patrick’s Church on a mild Monday morning, as Erne Gaels get ready to take on Scotstown in the Ulster Senior Club Championship quarter-final in Enniskillen on Saturday.

In a deeply moving homily Fr. McManus said that while Mark had the reputation of a hard man on the field, his mother Margaret said he had the softest of hearts.

“And mothers know these things.”

Fr. McManus said Mark’s untimely death had come in the midst of great joy for Erne Gaels winning the Fermanagh senior county championship title for the first time in 43 years.

He added that it was even more poignant as the team was captained by his brother Ryan and the Lyons family were such a strong force in Erne Gaels.

Fr. McManus said Mark was the ultimate sportsman as he played Gaelic football and hurling for Erne Gaels. He also played soccer for Erne Wanderers, Copany Rovers and Donegal Town as well as rugby for Ballyshannon and darts for a number of premises in Fermanagh and South Donegal.

He said it was a time when there were no answers for Mark’s sudden passing, but that resurrection comes from the darkest of places.

“We are here in grief for a young man who was a cherished part of Erne Gaels and the wider community.

Mark was born on February 28 in 1983 and was christened Mark but became affectionately known as ‘Big Nuggets’ and his younger brother Damian was ‘Wee Nuggets’.

“He played Minor and U-21 football for Fermanagh and, as a player, he was whole-hearted maybe at times too whole-hearted because he was well known to referees in Fermanagh.

“But from speaking to men who played against him, they all spoke of him not only with respect but also with affection.

“For he had the ability to give and take and was the very best of company.

“With Mark, what happened on the field stayed on the field and that was why he commanded such respect.

“And he enjoyed the social aspect of all sports.”

Fr. McManus said Mark was utterly devoted to his children Adam and Sophia whom he adored.

He moved to Cornwall in 2008 where he was a valued carpenter, and he met Karen his partner there.

But his heart was in Belleek, and he often came back home to see his children, family and his beloved Erne Gaels.

“His short illness came as a huge shock to his family and friends, but they can take solace that he enjoyed life and lived every moment to the full.

“And he has left a lasting legacy and treasured memories in his wake.”

After Mass, Mark was carried to his final resting place on a bright November day, as a piper played “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and Erne Gaels gave ‘Big Nuggets’ his ultimate salute in a final guard of honour.

Mark is sadly missed by his heartbroken children Adam and Sophia, their mum Marie, his parents Dermot and Margaret, partner Karen, brothers Shane (Laura), Damien (Susan), Ryan (Nicolle), his sisters Charlene (Andrew), Maggie, nephews and nieces Aaron, Olivia, Ben, Sam, Lily, Alana, Amelia and Luan, aunties, uncles, cousins, extended family and his many friends.