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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Michelle Cullen

Tributes pour in for young footballer with 'a heart of gold' after sudden death

Tributes have poured in after the sudden death of west Belfast footballer Molly White.

Molly's heartbroken parents said they have been "overwhelmed" by the outpouring of love for their talented daughter.

A hugely popular player with St James' Swifts ladies team, Molly was laid to rest on Friday afternoon following a requiem mass at St Paul's Church.

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After the amateur footballer's passing, her dad Stephen, mum Mary and brother Stephen thanked those who had offered up their sympathies and contributed to a "truly special send-off" for their daughter, reports Belfast Live.

A statement on St James' Swifts' Facebook page said it had been a "heartbreaking week" following the "loss of our much loved player Molly".

The statement read: "After what has been a heartbreaking week for our entire club at the loss of our much loved player Molly, the club has been asked to issue a statement on behalf of the White family to thank each and every club that has taken part in a minute's silence before games and who came along to pay their respects at her home and/or at her funeral.

"It goes to show that football is more than just a sport and that Molly was a treasured player amongst all the clubs in the NIWFA and NIFL leagues.

"The support has been overwhelming and the send off was truly special, just as she deserved. There's only one Molly White #11. Thank you, Mary, Stevie and Stephen White."

Following her death on August 13, St James Swifts said Molly "lit up the game whenever she played and lit up any room when she entered".

The club went on to describe the young Belfast woman as "a girl with an infectious bubbly personality and a mass of sporting talent who impacted the lives of everyone she came in contact with".

Molly was laid to rest in City Cemetery on Friday following Requiem Mass at St Pauls Church at 1pm.

People offered up their condolences to Molly's family as they remembered her as having "a smile for everyone" and "a heart of gold".

One person wrote: "You had a smile for everyone, you had a heart of gold, you left the sweetest memories, this world could ever hold."

A second said: "Heartfelt sympathy to our friends Mary, Stevie and wee Steven on the death of their beautiful daughter and sister Molly."

While a third wrote: "Rest in peace sweet Molly I never got to say goodbye to you but i will always cherish meeting you and I will always remember you in my heart."

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