Tributes flow for Zara Murphy as funeral details are confirmed for talented teenager

Funeral details have been confirmed for Zara Murphy, the young girl who died while playing a soccer match earlier this week. 

The talented young 13-year-old girl lined out for Termonfeckin Celtic. She was playing for the club in a School Girls League match on Thursday when she fell ill on the pitch.

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

Her funeral notice on RIP.ie says: "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".

Miss Murphy will repose at her home on Sunday and Monday evening from 4pm until 8pm.

The funeral cortege will leave her home on Tuesday morning at 10.30am proceeding on foot via The Glen (Football pitch, Yellowbatter) arriving to Our Lady of Lourdes Church for funeral mass at 11.30am.

Burial will take place afterwards in Newtown Cross Lawns Cemetery, Termonfeckin Road.

The late Zara Murphy. Photo: RIP.ie

The North East Football League (NEFL) committee have called off all NEFL matches scheduled for this weekend including all ladies’ fixtures as a mark of respect and extended their condolences to the family.

Tributes have been paid to Zara including from her club, Termonfeckin Celtic, who 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. RIP Zara."

Her school, St Oliver's Primary School outside Drogheda, issued a heartfelt statement on Friday, describing Zara as "wonderful, bright and kind."

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A statement read: "Deepest and heartfelt condolences from everyone at St Oliver’s NS on the passing of our dearest pupil Zara Murphy.

"Zara was a wonderful, bright, shining, kind, placid and beautiful child who lit up our hearts and lives in St Oliver’s NS. 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. May beautiful Zara Rest In Peace. Thinking of all her wonderful family at this time, especially Ben a past pupil of ours and her Mam Angela and Dad Brian. May the angels meet her and take her to their heavenly home," the statement concluded.

"The thoughts and prayers of all involved with Irish football are with Zara’s parents Brian and Angela, her brother Ben, extended family, her many friends and all now grieving her loss in the local community,” a statement from the FAI said this week.