Teenage girl who died during football match in Louth named locally

The young player reportedly fell ill during a game on Thursday evening.

According to multiple outlets, the young player took ill during a Louth School Girls League game in Termonfeckin and 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."

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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