Teenage girl who died during football match in Louth named locally

Stephen Porzio

Update: 5pm, 12 July

The FAI has paid tribute to the young player.

A teenage girl who died during a football match in Louth on Thursday evening (11 July) has been named locally as Zara Murphy.

The young player took ill as she played for Termonfeckin Celtic FC against her former club Glen Magic FC.

Collapsing during the game, she was taken to a hospital where she later passed away.

She has since been named locally as Zara Murphy, who is the daughter of local referee Brian Murphy.

In a statement on Friday, the North East Football League (NEFL) announced it is calling off all its matches this weekend as a “mark of respect” to Ms. Murphy.

It said: “The NEFL committee have called off all NEFL matches scheduled for this weekend including all ladies’ fixtures as a mark of respect due to the untimely passing of Zara Murphy, daughter of Louth Branch secretary Brian Murphy.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to her parents Brian & Angela, her brother Ben, her Grandparents, Uncles, Aunties, cousins and all their extended family and friends at this time.”

“May she rest in peace.”

All games in the Louth School Girls League have also been called off this weekend.

The league and the FAI have also issued a joint statement, paying tribute to Zara – describing her as a “dedicated sports star across many disciplines”.

A minute’s silence in honour of her memory will take place before Friday night’s SSE Airtricity Men’s Division fixture between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park.

Louth School Girls League and FAI offer support to family of Zara Murphy.

Full statement below. pic.twitter.com/3pI3L6LaIL
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) July 12, 2024

Bróna Mackin, Children’s Officer with the Louth School Girls League, said in the statement:

“The first thoughts of all coming to terms with this tragedy are with Brian, Angela and Ben.

“Nobody can comprehend what the family are going through now and we are all heartbroken for them.

“Zara was a wonderfully committed footballer who loved the game. 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.”

FAI President Paul Cooke also said:

“The news that came our way on Thursday evening was so shocking.

“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 and to all who knew Zara, particularly within Termonfeckin Celtic FC and Glen Magic FC. May she rest in peace.”

FAI Grassroots Director Ger McDermott added: “We are so shocked to learn of the news of Zara’s tragic passing.

“Our local Development Officer Mick Neville and our support staff have been liaising with the clubs and the Louth School Girls League and we will make every assistance available to all affected as they come to terms with this shocking news.

“We also extend our sympathies to our referees in Louth as Zara’s Dad Brian is the Chair of the Louth Branch of the Irish Referees’ Society and all his refereeing colleagues will share our sense of loss today.”

In a statement to JOE, a Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí were notified of an incident where a female (aged in her teens) took ill in Termonfeckin, Co. Louth, on Thursday 11th July 2024.

“She was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Co. Louth, where she subsequently passed away.”

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