By Katrina Brennan

THE highs of Saturday week ago were a world away from the emotions of the past week for the people of Belleek and the surrounding areas.

Last Wednesday morning the news filtered through of the untimely death of former Erne Gaels player Mark Lyons, brother of current Erne Gaels captain Ryan.

Four days before Mark passed away due to a short illness, Ryan had lifted the New York Cup for Erne Gaels for the first time in 43 years. But football, and everything else, paled into insignificance since Wednesday last as the Lyons family and the entire community were plunged into mourning one of their own.

Father-of-two, Mark was only 41 when he passed away, and had donned the jersey with pride down through the years.

He was part of the 2008 Erne Gaels team that won the Fermanagh Intermediate Championship and was also on the 2016 side that lost the Senior Championship Final to Derrygonnelly. He had also represented Fermanagh at minor and u-21 level.

Saturday week ago, Mark watched on proudly on his laptop in Plymouth, England, where he was living and working, as his brother Ryan accepted the New York Cup.

It’s a cruel, cruel blow and one that will be felt for quite some time by all who knew and loved him.

Erne Gaels manager Declan Bonner has the now unenviable task of preparing his team for Saturday’s Ulster Club game with Scotstown.

“It puts everything into perspective,” said the Donegal man.

“It’s been a long week and there’s been a lot of emotions. It’s been difficult but the whole football community really comes together at times like these.

“It’s difficult for the Lyons family and the club as a whole because Mark was such a big part of it down through the years,” said Bonner.

Last Sunday’s game with the Monaghan champions was postponed following the news of Mark’s death and now the team will prepare to run out at Brewster Park this weekend, once again.

“A couple of days after (the Fermanagh Championship victory) you were getting yourselves ready for it and looking forward to it but ultimately this tragedy puts everything on the back burner, naturally, but we’ll regroup,” Bonner said of their preparations.

“Scotstown have been up the top end of Ulster football for the last decade.

“They’re a good side if you go through their squad of players. The quality that they have and the experience that they have is a massive test and a massive challenge for us.

“They are a tough side, they are one of the favourites to win, themselves and Kilcoo are fancied to win Ulster.

“We know exactly the test and challenge ahead but it’s something the lads have to look forward to and embrace to be quite honest with you.

“It’s challenging yourself against the best in the province and we have to produce a massive performance to get over the line.”

Erne Gaels will be without Brian Mullin for Saturday evening’s match after he dislocated his shoulder joint in the first minute of the County Final replay.