James McClean’s heartbreaking tribute to Martin McGuinness shows how much he meant to the people of Derry

Of all the tributes, eulogies and stories we will read and hear about Martin McGuinness over the coming days, this stands right up there with the best.

The people of Derry have been through the wringer for centuries. They are used to hardship and strife. They are used to getting through it. The past few days have seen them endure two keening blows and one wonders how they will endure. But they always do. That is their main strength - the togetherness and sense of community through even the worst of times. On Sunday, they learned of the tragic passing of Derry City captain Ryan McBride at the age of just 27. The tributes that have poured in since have been heartening and inspirational. This morning, they woke to discover that Sinn Féin politician and former Northern Ireland Deputy Minister Martin McGuinness had passed away at the age of 66. There have been warm words shared already from the likes of Gerry Adams and President Michael D Higgins and more. McClean - a proud Derry native - found out like the rest of us, this morning, and yet was able to perfectly sum up just what McGuinness meant to him and to so many others. On his Instagram page, McClean writes:

'Writing this with a heavy heart. Bad week just getting worse. Woke to the passing off Martin just now. 'I'm not going to shy away in expressing either how I feel - not only was he a hero of mine, someone I looked up to, a man that has done so much for Irish people and Irish peoples' freedom right to the very the end, he was also a good friend and someone I had the pleasure of having a good relationship with. 'A man I met so many times, had the privilege to share many a great conversation with, a man that always text me before games wishing me luck, a man that through the well documented tough times off the field always let me know how brave I was standing by my beliefs, that I never was alone because i had his support and backing always. 'You will be sorely missed Martin. A great leader, a great hero and above all a great man... thinking on all your loved ones.. beannacht agus buíochas a ghabháil leat mo chara.'

https://www.instagram.com/p/BR5WuRrAMO5/?taken-by=jimmymac_11&hl=en Wonderful words from the Republic of Ireland international.