Paddy Gillespie, a stalwart of Strabane Cricket Club, died at his home in Knockavoe Crescent on Sunday, a week after celebrating his 88th birthday.

His funeral took place on Wednesday at St Mary's Church, Melmount, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

Gillespie played for Strabane for more than 30 years, helping the club win a league and cup double in 1966 and a senior league title in 1968. He also represented the North West and toured Trinidad in 1975.

After his playing career, he served the club in various roles and became president. His four sons - John, Michael, Mark and Peter - all played cricket, with Peter representing Ireland internationally.

During the Requiem Mass, Peter Gillespie described his father as kind, humble and gentle, and thanked people for their tributes.

Former Cricket Ireland president Joe Doherty said Gillespie was a one-club man and a very fine batsman, and that from the early 1980s he took pride in supporting his sons' cricketing journeys.

Fr O'Donnell said Gillespie's greatest love was his family, and that he and his wife Mary were inseparable.

Outside cricket, Gillespie worked as a machine operator at Adria and gave more than 50 years of service to the Society of St Vincent de Paul.