I played in what was probably Declan's first group as we were still in school when we first started messing around, me, Declan and Pat Farrell (although Pat was never messing around, even then).

Declan was one of the gentlest people I ever met, as well as being a lovely bass player. A lovely sense of humour as well, never cruel but always a wry, subtle comment.

We had all moved on at the time of Declan's death but there was such a turnout in Marino for his funeral.