Thousands are expected to attend the requiem mass for Stuart Mangan in St Patrick’s Church, Fermoy at noon today.
Mr Mangan suffered a serious spinal injury while playing rugby with his club Hammersmith and Fulham RFC in London in April 2008. He died last Friday at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, after succumbing to respiratory problems the night before.
The former scrum-half never regained sensation below the neck following his accident, but those close to him said he never lost his “zest for life”.
Hundreds attended a memorial service in London on Wednesday.
Speaking to The Irish Timesat the service Mr Mangan's mother, Una Mangan said, "He worked hard before his accident and he was the same person after. He was incredible. He just kept us going and going."