Clubs pay tribute to girl (13) who died during football match as she’s named locally

The girl collapsed during a Louth School Girls League (LSGC) match on Thursday evening July 11 and was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead.

She has been named locally as Zara Murphy.

Writing on social media her local club Termonfeckin Celtic said ‘’Termonfeckin Celtic extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and teammates of Zara on her untimely passing yesterday evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with Brian, Angela and Ben at this time’’.

Paying tribute Drogheda United FC said: ‘’All at Drogheda United are deeply saddened by the news of the tragic passing of Zara Murphy. We extend our deepest condolences to her parents, Brian & Angela, brother Ben, and all of Zara’s family, friends and teammates’’.

Drogheda Boys FC said: ‘’Zara’s Father Brian and Grandfather Joe were both a part of the fabric of our club and indeed we had the pleasure of helping Zara fall in love with the game at the beginning of her football journey while admiring how well she was doing each time she visited Marley’s Lane to play. We are all in deep shock and can not possibly find the right words to express our sadness and dismay at this time’’.

Another local Club Trim Celtic said ‘’Tragic news from one of the NERL games last evening, Zara Murphy, who was playing with her beloved Termonfeckin girls, passed away during the game. Trim Celtic AFC sends our sincere condolences to Zara’s family, teammates, and friends. During this time of profound grief, may you find comfort in the love and memories you shared with Zara’’.

Boyne Rovers FC also wrote: ‘’The Murphy family have been ingrained in schoolchildren’s football in Drogheda for over 40 years and we and the footballing community in Drogheda and the North East have the Murphy family in our thoughts at this difficult time’’.

Local councillor Michele Hall wrote ‘’Such a tragedy is hard to comprehend. My thoughts and prayers are with Zara’s family, friends and fellow players at this very sad time’’.

Her father Brian who is a soccer referee in the county as well as secretary of the Louth branch of the NEFL was at the match and rushed to her side to assist before an ambulance arrived

Gardaí were alerted but are satisfied there was no foul play involved. “This was a tragic medical incident,” said a source.

On Friday morning the North East Football League (NEFL) called off all its fixtures scheduled over the weekend, including all ladies matches “as a mark of respect”, it said in a statement.

Local gardaí were alerted that a teenage girl had become ill in Termonfeckin on Thursday.

“She was taken to

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Co. Louth, where she subsequently passed away,” the Garda said in a statement.

Zara is survived by her father Brian, mother Angela and her brother Ben. No funeral arrangements have been made as yet.