Tributes have been paid to a young teenage girl who died after taking ill during a soccer match in Louth yesterday evening.
Zara Murphy was playing for the Termonfeckin Celtic FC under-14 team when she became unwell.
Emergency services were called to the scene and she was brought to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, in Drogheda where she later died.
Zara has been described as a “wonderfully committed footballer who loved the game”.
Termonfeckin Celtic were playing Glen Magic yesterday evening as part of the Louth School Girls League.
“She had previously played for Glen Magic until her recent transfer to Termonfeckin Celtic and thus many of her fellow players will be so touched by this devastating news. As her League, we can only offer all our support to Zara’s family, to both clubs and to all affected by this shocking loss of one so young”, said Bróna Mackin, Children’s Officer with the LSGL.
The league issued a joint statement with the FAI this afternoon.
“The Louth School Girls League and the Football Association of Ireland are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of teenager Zara Murphy after she collapsed as she played for Termonfeckin Celtic FC against her former club Glen Magic FC on Thursday evening,” they said.
They offered the thoughts and prayers “of all involved with Irish football” to Zara Murphy’s parents, brother, extended family and many friends.
Zara’s father Brian Murphy is well known in the Louth soccer community and is Chair of the Louth Branch of the Irish Referee’s Society.
FAI President Paul Cooke said that 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 and to all who knew Zara, particularly within Termonfeckin Celtic FC and Glen Magic FC. May she rest in peace.”
The statement also described Zara as a “dedicated sports star across many disciplines”.
Support staff have been liaising with the clubs and the LSGL.
“We will make every assistance available to all affected as they come to terms with this shocking news,” FAI Grassroots Director Ger McDermott said.
All games in the LSGL and the North Eastern Football League, including women’s fixtures, have been called off this weekend as a mark of respect.
A minutes silence in honour of her memory will also be held before the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division fixture between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park.
Gardaí say they were notified of an incident where a female in her teens took ill in Termonfeckin yesterday.
They said she was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Co Louth where she subsequently passed away.