Fan died hours after he 'fulfilled his dreams'

Friends of a football fan who died hours after meeting his hero have spoken of their devastation.

Niall Cunneen, from Limerick in the Republic of Ireland, died on 3 May. The lifelong Evertonian, 56, had travelled to Liverpool the day before with the Irish Toffees supporters' group to go on a farewell tour of the club's Goodison Park stadium.

The fans later met former players including Mr Cunneen's idol Kevin Sheedy. They were due to attend the Blues' Premier League match against Ipswich the following afternoon but Mr Cunneen died in the early hours of the morning.

"He got to do exactly what he wanted and on Friday fulfilled his dreams including meeting his hero," group member Lee Reilly said.

Mr Reilly added: "[We went] on the Goodison Park tour for the first time and [had] a night in the Winslow hotel where he got to listen to past player Joe Parkinson and ex-kitman Jimmy Martin do a talk about their memories of their time at the ground.

"Nothing could wipe the smile off Niall's face and that night will stick with us."

Another member of the group, Sean Heelan, paid tribute to the "gentle giant", who is survived by his mum Phil, brother Colm and sister Sinead.

"We were all devastated to wake up to his passing," Mr Heelan said.

"Niall was a gentleman, very mannerly and a huge Evertonian. He was a Blue all his life and would try and go over two or three times per season."

The group has asked for donations to cover the cost of bringing Mr Cunneen's body back to the Irish Republic.

Mr Heelan said the group was working with The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

Any money left over will be donated to the trust and other charities, he added.