A community has been left “heartbroken and bereft” following the death of Zara Murphy after a short but bright life, mourners at the teenager’s funeral Mass have heard.
The 13-year-old, from Westcourt, Drogheda, collapsed during a Louth School Girls League (LSGC) match last Thursday and was later pronounced dead. Zara is survived by her parents, Angela and Brian, and brother, Ben.
Hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects around 45 minutes prior to the arrival of the funeral cortege for 11.30am Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Drogheda.
A guard of honour was provided by Drogheda councillors along with children and adults from Newtown Blues FC, Glen Magic FC, Termonfeckin Celtic, members of the Irish Soccer Referees’ Society, Drogheda Boys and Girls FC and her primary school, St Oliver’s.
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Zara’s wicker coffin was adorned by numerous wreaths of white lilies and football shaped flower arrangements.
Symbols of Zara’s life highlighting her love of soccer, GAA and beauty were brought to the altar by her friends including a photo, a cross and hair curling and straightening tongs, her first soccer jersey, a team picture, a trophy and a memorial stone.
Other momentos included a match ball, a captain’s hat, a shielf from cup final in which Zara scored the winning goal, a St Oliver’s school hoodie, a photo of them winning the schools final and the winning medal and shield the teenager lifted as captain.
Zara’s father Brian told mourners that the family’s lives have been “turned upside down” and that “Zara loved life and lived every day to the fullest”.
“Everybody she seemed to meet loved her back, too. Zara was a strong-willed, sassy, funny and exuberant girl. She gave everything she took up 200 per cent commitment. She loved sports, especially football, soccer and gymnastics,” he said.
“She was determined she would make it at one of them, a major ambition was to be bigger and better than Katie McCabe. Zara loved her friendships, particularly, our closest ones. She was always talking to new friends. I used to find it hard to keep up, but over the last couple of days, those friendships are what has helped us through this difficult period.”
Fr Eugene Sweeney told mourners the teenager “lived her life in the present” and “was a bright and shining girl which is what the name Zara means”.
“We thank the Lord for Zara’s 13 years. She was a beautiful gift even for such a short period of time,” he said. “We come together to offer our sympathy and support to those left behind...”
He said the symbols brought to the altar were testament to “what a filled life Zara had, she was happy with so much happening with her many friends”.
“We bring today a sense of shock and devastation around the cruel passing of Zara at such a tender age last Thursday evening. We are heartbroken and bereft. We are uncomprehending that such a beautiful gift is without warning so unfairly snatched from us,” Fr Sweeney said.
Fr Sweeney concluded his eulogy by saying that Zara, who turned 13 last month, lived life in the “present moment and did not worry”.
“She was happy and she was similar to a Scarlett Anemone and blossomed beautifully. Her life was complete and full - a lively, funny, outgoing girl, full of energy, sporty and loved soccer, Gaelic and gymnastics. Beautiful tributes have been paid to Zara. She loved discussing soccer and who should have scored for Manchester United. We thank the Lord for having Zara even if it was only for a short while. We thank the Lord that Zara was so fulfilled in her life.”
He added that “Zara was a bright light for us all and she will be forever young”.
A round of applause rang out as the funeral cortege left the church ahead of Zara’s burial at Newtown Cross Lawns Cemetery on the Termonfeckin Road.
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