Funeral details for Zara Murphy, a 'wonderfully committed footballer who loved the game'

The funeral details have been released for 13-year-old Zara Murphy from Drogheda who tragically died after collapsing during a football game on Thursday.

The talented youngster was described an "integral" part of her Termonfeckin FC club which has been left stunned by her passing.

Zara died on Thursday having fallen ill while playing against her former club, Glen Magic FC in Termonfeckin.

She was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in nearby Drogheda, but sadly passed away.

Zara's father Brian Murphy works with Meath Co Council and is well known in the Louth soccer community and is chair of the Louth Branch of the Irish Referee's Society.

All Louth School Girls League and in the North Eastern Football League, including all women's fixtures, have been cancelled this weekend as a mark of respect.

A minute's silence in Zara's memory was observed before Friday's SSE Airtiricty Men's Premier Division fixture between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park.

Termonfeckin Celtic Football Club issued a statement expressing their sympathies with Zara’s parents Brian and Angela and brother Ben.

“Termonfeckin Celtic extends it’s 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”.

Louth School Girls League children's officer Bróna Mackin said: "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. 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."

Louth football club Albion Rovers FC, also expressed their sympathies with the Murphy family and hailed Zara has a fantastic player.

“Everybody at the club would like to extend our deepest sympathy to local referee Brian Murphy and the whole Murphy family on the passing of Brian's daughter Zara.

“Many times Zara played in some fantastic matches against our Girls sides over the years for Glen Magic and of late for Termonfeckin Celtic and we cannot begin to imagine how Brian and his family feel at this sad time. May she rest in peace”.

Trim Celtic AFC said Zara passed away during a game with her "beloved Termonfeckin girls".

“Tragic news from one of the NERL games last evening, Zara Murphy, who was playing with her beloved Termonfeckin girls, passed away during the game.

“All of Trim Celtic AFC sends our sincere condolences to Zara's family, teammates, and friends. During this time of profound grief, may you find comfort in the love and memories you shared with Zara”.

Details of Zara's funeral have been confirmed.

Reposing at her Home on Sunday and Monday evening from 4pm until 8pm. 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 which can be viewed live on www.saintpetersdrogheda.ie. Burial will take place afterwards in Newtown Cross Lawns Cemetery, Termonfeckin Road.

The death notice reads: Zara Murphy, The Priory, Westcourt, Drogheda, Co. Louth. Died Tragically on 11th July 2024 aged 13 years. 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.