A community has been left "absolutely devastated" after a young Sligo GAA player and former Australian Rules player died suddenly in Dublin on Friday.
Red Og Murphy, from Curry in south Sligo, was a talented and well-known footballer who played for the Sligo county team as well as his own local club, Curry GAA.
The 21-year-old was studying primary school teaching at DCU in Dublin and played for the university's GAA team.
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The news of his sudden death has sent shock waves through the local community.
Sligo county councillor Martin Connolly, who was also his neighbour, told the Irish Mirror that the local community is "devastated" and "speechless" at the news of Red Og's tragic death and is rallying around to support his family.
"The community is devastated here," he said. "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."
Red Og played Australian Rules at North Melbourne for an eight-month stint in 2019 before he returned to Ireland later that year.
He is a former pupil of St Attracta’s Community School in Tubbercurry where he completed the Leaving Cert.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been released.
Tributes poured in for the young GAA player online, with people heartbroken at the loss of a young life.
One person wrote: "So so sad Rip young man condolences to his family and friends at this sad time."
Another wrote: "Awful news. Deepest condolences to all his family, friends and team mates. Rest in peace."
A third added: "Unbelievably sad. Sincerest condolences to his grieving family and friends. May Red Og rest in peace."
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