Funeral details for ‘wonderful’ and ‘kind’ Louth teen who died during football game

Funeral details for Louth teenager Zara Murphy have been announced as tributes continue to pour in.

The 13-year-old fell ill during a Louth School Girls League (LSGC) game at a soccer grounds in the village of Termonfeckin on Thursday evening.

Zara was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in nearby Drogheda, where she sadly died.

The young girl’s death notice reads: ‘Beloved daughter of Angela and Brian and loving sister of Ben. Zara will be very sadly missed by her heartbroken parents, brother, nana Jacinta, granda Joe, aunts Pauline, Brenda and Sinead, uncles Alan, Micheal and Kevin, cousins Claire, Saul, Matthew, Jack, Ana, Caimin, Lucy, Beth, Caitlyn, Jimmy and Marty, her large circle of school friends and team-mates in Soccer, Gaelic and Gymnastics. Predeceased by her grandparents Jimmy and Nancy O’Brien.’

Zara will repose at her home on Sunday and Monday evening from 4pm to 8pm. Her funeral mass will take place on Tuesday at 11.30am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Meanwhile, the FAI (Football Association of Ireland) has issued a statement following the death of the teenager.

A minute’s silence will be observed in honour of Zara’s memory before the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixture between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park at 7.45pm on Friday.

A statement from the FAI expressed their ‘deep sadness’ to learn of the teenager’s death as they extended condolences to her family, friends and local community.

‘All games in the Louth School Girls League and in the North Eastern Football League, including all women’s fixtures, have ben called off this weekend as a mark of respect to Zara, a dedicated sports star across many disciplines,’ the statement said.

Children’s Officer with the Louth School Girls League Bróna Mackin said ‘nobody can comprehend what the family are going through now and we are all heartbroken for them.’

Ms Mackin said Zara was ‘a wonderfully committed footballer who loved the game.’

FAI President Paul Cooke added: ‘To learn of the passing of a talented footballer at such a young age is particularly devastating. On behalf of everyone connected to Irish football in any way, can I offer our sympathies to Brian, Angela, Ben and their extended families.’

St Oliver’s Primary School also paid tribute to their late pupil branding her a ‘wonderful, bright, shining, kind, placid and beautiful child who lit up our hearts and lives.’

They 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 forever.

‘For her short time in this world she had a big and lasting impact.’