Family of Zara Murphy (13) ‘utterly heartbroken’ following sudden death, funeral hears

Zara Murphy, 13, from Drogheda, died after becoming ill during a football match in the town last week.

She had been playing for the Termonfeckin Celtic FC under-14 team in a match against Glen Magic last Thursday as part of the Louth School Girls League.

Emergency services were called to the scene. She was brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital where she later died.

Her father Brian told her funeral service on Tuesday that she was one in a million, and had dreamed of becoming an even better footballer than Irish captain and Arsenal player Katie McCabe. She was laid to rest in Newtown Lawns Cemetery, Termonfeckin Road.

“Zara was our amazing, beautiful and loving daughter; Angela, Ben and I loved her so much. We are utterly heartbroken and our worlds have been turned upside down,” he said.

“Zara loved life and lived every day to the fullest. Everybody she seemed to meet loved her back too. Zara was a strong-willed, sassy, funny, and exuberant girl. She gave everything she took up 200pc commitment.

“She loved sport, especially football, soccer, and gymnastics and was determined she would make it at one of them and her major ambition to be bigger and better than Katie McCabe.”

Hundreds of mourners, many sporting jerseys from the several clubs in which Zara was involved, followed the hearse, as many more packed the church where only months earlier she had made her confirmation.

Zara’s funeral procession was led by players from both Termonfeckin Celtic FC and Newtown Blues GFC walking on either side of the hearse. They paused at The Glen football pitch, where the flag was flown at half mast, and led a round of applause.

Throughout the mass, Zara was remembered as a “bright, kind, sporty girl, who lived life to the full”.

Classmates and teammates brought items to the altar to remember her many achievements; jerseys from her beloved clubs, and shields, cups and medals to mark the success where she had invariably been captain to the victorious team or had scored the winning goal.

“Today is undoubtedly one of unspeakable sorrow and raises very difficult questions, questions that can’t be answered; why do bad things happen to good people, why Zara. why such injustice? ” said Canon Eamon Sweeney.

“It’s also a day of a certain gratitude; for the blessing of having had Zara first place, even if for so short a while.”

Some of the many tributes paid to the young girl were also recalled by Canon Sweeney, not least St Oliver’s NS, where she had just completed her primary studies before her intended entry into Ballymakenny College in September.

“Zara was a wonderful, bright, shining, kind, placid and beautiful child who lit up our hearts and lives in St Oliver’s NS,” one of her teachers said.

“She delighted us all with her gentle, thoughtful nature and wonderful football skills. Her unassuming nature, her care for others and gorgeous soul will stay with us for ever.”

Music was provided by local soprano Amie Dyer and pianist David Leddy, and as Canon Sweeney pointed out, Zara lived up to her name.

“The name Zara means shining, bright, radiant; so we’re really grateful that Zara indeed was a bright light for us all,” he added.

“Zara will be forever be young and vibrant in our memories”.

Zara is survived by her parents Angela and Brian and brother Ben.