Heartbreaking tributes are being paid to Sligo footballer Red Og Murphy who died suddenly in Dublin on Friday.
The 21-year-old, who was studying primary school teaching at DCU, was a talented GAA player for his club, county and college. He also spent eight months playing Australian Rules with North Melbourne in 2019.
The entire GAA community has been left "absolutely devastated” by his tragic passing.
READ MORE: Sligo community 'devastated' as talented footballer Red Og Murphy dies suddenly aged 21
In a statement issued on Saturday afternoon, his club Curry GAA, said: “This is a terrible tragedy for the Murphy family, our club and our community.
“We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with the Murphy / Lavin families and friends. Red Og was a member of Curry GAA club and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
“We have been in contact with his parents and they have requested that we all understand their need for privacy at this difficult time. Offers of support have been pouring in and are greatly appreciated.
“The clubhouse is open to all, to support them and to offer them advice and guidance. We would ask you to respect our privacy at this time.”
Sligo GAA has confirmed that all GAA activity in south Sligo has been postponed.
A statement issued on Saturday reads: “Sligo GAA is deeply shocked at the untimely death of Red Og Murphy. We knew Red Og as a public figure through his great sporting ability, but he was first and foremost a son and a brother. Our first thoughts are with his family and then his teammates, friends and clubmates.
“Our concern now is to respect the family's privacy and to support those who knew, played and worked with Red Og as players and coaches and in particular the community of Curry GAA club who will want to remember and celebrate his contribution to their community and their lives.
“For now all GAA activity in the South Sligo area has been postponed. Games elsewhere and the games involving county teams will proceed as we believe that where possible it is best to bring people together to meet, talk and remember within their normal GAA environment.
“We are very grateful for the support of our colleagues in Croke Park and in the wider GAA community over the past 24 hours. Og go deo. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.”
The Gaelic Players Association said it had “lost one of its own” and urged its members to use its 24/7 support line if needed.
“We remember Red Og Murphy, a young man gone far too early.
“To his family, loved ones, friends and teammates; our hearts are broken for you
“Players across Ireland have lost one of their own. May he rest in peace,” it wrote in a statement.
Many people have been taking to social media to pay tribute to the popular sports star.
Yeats County Inn wrote: “Our village is stunned at the passing of Red Og Murphy, an inspiration and a role model to the local young generation and loved by the older generation for being such a talented footballer and wonderful, polite and gifted lad. Curry so proud of him and hurting badly tonight. RIP.”
RTE sports broadcaster Des Cahill added: “Painfully sad news. Sincere sympathy to all of Red Og’s family, friends & teammates in Curry and DCU.”
Sligo county councillor Martin Connolly, who was also his neighbour, told the Irish Mirror last night that the local community is "devastated" and "speechless" as it rallies around to support his family.
"The community is devastated here. The parish of Curry in Sligo, the parish that he played for, the community is absolutely devastated.
"Speechless is the word I'd put on it. People are walking around in a daze, they don't know what has happened.
"Our sympathies is all we can do, to give our sympathies to his dad and mum, Geraldine and Redmond, and his two brothers.
"The community is rallying around here big time. There are ten or 15 people in the community centre, cleaning it and getting it ready for the events that'll happen in the next couple of days."
Mr Connolly added: "He was a highly respected young fellow in this parish. The world was thought of him.
"Young boys and girls in the area here in Moylough National School, where he went to school, they really looked up to that lad.
"Everybody is so shocked and saddened for the family and for the community. This is a great community here, the family will be looked after."
Funeral arrangements have not yet been released.
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