Funeral details announced for Lydia Ross as fans prepare to remember young Ballymena fan

Lydia Ross (21) died after the accident near Aghadowey on Thursday night.

She was a Ballymena United supporter and attended each match with her father Paul, who described her as his “princess”.

On Saturday afternoon, fans at Ballymena’s game at Glenavon will stage a minute’s applause in Lydia’s memory.

Meanwhile, funeral details have been announced.

Lydia’s funeral service will take place on Monday at 1pm in First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church, with burial in Dunloy Presbyterian Graveyard.

The notice described Lydia as the “dearly loved daughter” of Paul and Ruth, a “much loved sister, “beloved grand-daughter” and “a very dear niece”.

It said donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Air Ambulance NI.

The single-vehicle crash, involving a blue Peugeot 207, happened on the Curragh Road, Aghadowey, shortly after 10.15pm on Thursday.

Lydia was taken to hospital but died from her injuries.

Sharing an image of the pair, her father Paul posted on X. formerly Twitter, on Friday: “Last night our beautiful daughter Princess Lydia was killed in a car accident, words can’t describe how we are feeling, my match-going companion with Ballymena United every Saturday, this was our last selfie on Boxing Day”.

Condolences poured in from the football fraternity in Northern Ireland, led by Lydia’s own club Ballymena.

The club said Lydia was “a well-known and committed Sky Blue who attended faithfully along with her father Paul”.

Ballymena manager Jim Ervin said Lydia’s loss would be felt right across the club, “from the players to the back-room staff”.

“During my time as a player, I became really friendly with Lydia’s father Paul and it was only Christmas Day we were texting,” he said.

“Paul and Lydia went to every home and away game together, they were very well connected and associated with everyone at the club.”