Tributes are being paid to a young Limerick woman who has died following an illness than she bore 'bravely'.
Emma McGuire, aged in her early 30s, from Cahercorney, passed away at Milford Care Centre on Wednesday.
She was an avid GAA player, having played for St. Ailbes' Ladies Gaelic Football Club in Limerick as well as the Queenstown Gaels in New Zealand.
Emma was described by those who knew her as a "very special person" who was "never without a smile on her face".
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Her death notice on Rip.ie reads: "Emma died peacefully at Milford Care Centre, after an illness very bravely borne.
"Beloved daughter of Antoinette and Dan and cherished sister of Mark, Sarah, Joanne and Daniel.
"Sadly missed by her loving family, sister-in-law Siobhan, brother-in-law Brian, nephews Jack and Mikey, nieces Elllie and Laoise, aunts, uncles, cousins and a large circle of friends in particular her closest friends who were there for Emma throughout her illness."
Emma's GAA club, St.Ailbes, paid a heartfelt tribute to her online following the news of her passing, describing the former captain as a "leader" with passion that was "infectious".
The wrote in a statement on Facebook: "On our St Ailbe’s page we like to share all that is happening in our club from fixtures to celebrations but today we unfortunately have to share the sadness of the loss of our dear friend, Emma McGuire.
"There have been many words to describe her, a leader, determined, strong, extremely witty, never without a smile on her face even when she sang.
"It’s hard to write words in the past tense about this fabulous girl. All the characteristics she had were evident in her achievements on the field, she won two Senior County football titles with St Ailbe’s and in the 2011 title she was Player of the Match. She was a former captain and her leadership qualities and courage on the field drove all the girls on. She drove standards for others to follow and her passion was infectious. She also won an All Ireland medal in 2010 with Limerick Ladies Football.
"She wasn’t just a leader and a player for her club she was also a willing and helpful club member. To quote one of her closest friend “she never let us down on or off the field”
"Emma was a very special person and will be forever in the hearts of her friends and her club.
"Our thoughts and Prayers are with Dan, Antoinette, Mark, Sarah, Joanne, Daniel and all her friends at this time."
Her former GAA club in New Zealand, the Queenstown Gaels, also wrote a tribute to Emma on Facebook, saying: "It is with a heavy heart we write this post to say that one of our former club members, Emma McGuire, has passed away.
"Emma played with the Queenstown Gaels back in 2020/2021 and she was truly the brightest light and touched all of us who got to know her. We are so lucky she spent some of her beautiful life with us here in Queenstown.
"Our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers are with her family back in Ireland from Emma’s Queenstown family."
Her funeral Mass held on Friday morning in the Sacred Heart Church in Herbertstown and she was laid to rest in Lough Gur Church Cemetery.
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