There were several poignant tributes at sporting venues across the north west and in Australia on Saturday, in memory of Sligo gaelic footballer Red Óg Murphy who died on Friday at the age of 21.
A minute’s silence was held before Sligo hurlers national league final against Derry in Ederney, Co Fermanagh.
👏 A moment’s silence observed before the match in memory of local Ederney priest Fr Sean McGrath and Sligo’s Red Óg Murphy who tragically passed away this week. pic.twitter.com/elNJZWGHqu
— County Derry Post (@derrypost) April 2, 2022
There was a similar mark of respect by the Donegal and Sligo minor footballers just before their Ulster minor football league game at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey.
In Australia, the players from Murphy’s former AFL club North Melbourne Kangaroos wore black armbands during their game against Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.
The Sligoman spent eight months on North Melbourne’s books between 2018 and 2019, and performed with distinction there.
He kicked two goals against Footscray in his final match for the Roos in the team’s last game of 2019.
Vale Red Og Murphy. 💙🤍
— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) April 2, 2022
A club statement from the Melbourne club said: “Our thoughts are with those closest to Red Og, his family and friends in his home in Ireland, and all those who played and worked alongside him and became friends with him during his time at North Melbourne.”
Sligo GAA confirmed on Saturday that all GAA activity in the south of the county has been postponed as a mark of respect.
Several club games in other parts of the county, which did go ahead, observed a minute’s silence before throw-in.
The decision to allow games involving county teams proceed on Saturday was taken, the county board said, as it was felt it would be best bring people together to meet, talk and remember Red Óg within their normal GAA environment.
