Mourners pay their respects during Dave Cleary's final journey

Dozens gathered at Edge Hall Road - the venue where Cleary had cast his legacy in the Black and Amber - for the start of the funeral procession at lunchtime today.

Many more lined the streets of Orrell as the cortege made its way to St Theresa's Church in Up Holland.

His coffin was draped with the Irish flag - Cleary played for the Irish Wolfhounds and the Irish Exiles, as well as Lancashire and the North of England - while flowers spelled out his nickname: 'Clearo'.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions only a small number of loved ones were able to attend the funeral, but many more watched a live stream of the service on Facebook.

Cleary, a former director of building firm Jackson Lloyd, starred for Orrell RU in the 80s and early-90s.

He died earlier this month, aged 59, leaving behind wife Cath and sons Matthew and Christian.

His family asked that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to the British Heart Foundation.

Dave Cleary tribute