An Historic and moving ceremony preceded the All-Ireland hurling semi-final replay between Clare and Offaly at Croke Park on Saturday. Clergy from the main Christian churches took part in the singing of hymns, the recital of prayers, a minute's silence and a reading by children representing all 32 counties (left) of the list of those who died in the Omagh bombing.
The opening address was given by the president of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Joe McDonagh. The opening prayer was led by Rev Desmond Bain, the Home Mission secretary of the Methodist Church in Ireland and was followed by a reading from the Gospel by the Right Rev John Duggan, formerly Bishop of Tuam. Also taking part were n Sean O Cearbhaill, Liam Lawton and Rev Fr P O'Donoghue. Other prayers were introduced by The Rev Alan V Martin, Clerk of the Presbytery of Dublin and Munster. These included prayers for the deceased, for the injured, for relatives and friends of the dead and injured, for medical and other helpers, and for peace.
The Lord's Prayer was recited by the attendance of some 30,000 and the closing prayers was said by Bishop Fiachra O Ceallaigh, OFM.
The hymns were Nearer My God To Thee and Make Me a Channel of Your Peace sung by Ann Marie Gubbins accompanied by the Artane Boys Band who also played the recessional hymn Abide With Me.
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