Ireland were paid a touching gesture by their Fijian opponents ahead of their clash at the World U20 Rugby Championships, having having suffered three tragic losses in a matter of days.
The game of rugby was rocked on Monday by the news that former Scotland international Greig Oliver, the father of Ireland scrum-half Jack, had died after a paragliding accident in Cape Town, while out in South Africa to support his son in the tournament.
That tragic news came as the Irish team were already planning to wear black armbands in their final pool game, to honour 18-year-old St Michael's College students Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall who died on the Greek island of Ios. Six players in the U20s squad are from the same Dublin college and were left "massively devastated" by the news according to coach Richie Murphy.
READ MORE: Welsh rugby's touching tribute to Morgan Ridler after Wales star's nephew dies
Despite the immense tragedy they had faced in the build-up to the Fiji match, Ireland bravely went ahead with the fixture, while Oliver was understandably removed from the squad after losing his father in horrific circumstances.
And they did those they had lost proud as they delivered a rousing rendition of Ireland's Call having taken to the field wearing black armbands and held a moment's silence for the three men.
The young team were visibly emotional, with some appearing to wipe away tears, as they bravely belted out the anthem along with their coaches on the touchlines and the travelling Irish support in the stands.
But then, just before kick-off, there was a lovely moment between the two sides, as Fiji's captain Moti Murray presented a jersey to Ireland skipper Diarmuid Mangan as a mark of respect.
The two men shook hands as Murray gave his condolences to the team, before returning to his half to help lead his side's Haka.
Oliver's death came as a total shock to the rugby world on Monday and was described as an "unspeakable tragedy". Holding the role of elite performance officer at Munster, the club's CEO Ian Flanagan described him as "a great colleague and friend to so many".
"He will be dearly missed across the Munster and Irish Rugby community," he added. "Greig made his presence felt each day, he was always there to provide a helping hand and was a hugely popular character with his light-hearted nature and sense of humour. He had an infectious enthusiasm for the game and was incredibly passionate about helping young players be the best they can be on and off the field. May he rest in peace."
Irish Rugby Football Union chief executive Kevin Potts also paid tribute to the "hugely popular" 58-year-old, adding: "He played a key role in the development of many young players during his time at Munster Rugby. Today's news is an unspeakable tragedy and our thoughts are with Greig's wife Fiona, children Jack and Ciara, and his many friends, family and colleagues. May he rest in peace."
Before news of Oliver's tragic death broke, Ireland coach Richie Murphy had said his squad were having a "really tough time" with many of them affected by the loss of their friends Max Wall and Andrew O'Donnell.
"We have a number St Michael’s guys here in the squad, who know them well, and as a father of kids around that age and an Irishman I feel really devastated for them and we’d like to offer our condolences to the Wall and O’Donnell family," he said.
