Updated at 9.15am
A vigil has been held for a camogie player who died after an incident during a match in Co Galway.
Kate Moran, 20, from the village of Monivea, was fatally injured playing for Athenry Camogie Club in a senior league game in Ardrahan on Monday.
A rising star of the sport, who won two All-Ireland medals for Galway at U-16 level, she died in hospital on Tuesday.
We are shocked & saddened at the untimely and sad passing of Kate Moran, RIP. We offer our deepest sympathies to Kate's parents Cathal & Mary, to Thady, Leah & Saoirse, the extended Moran Family, to TJ & the Brennan Family and to all the members of Camogie community in Galway🕯️ pic.twitter.com/tSrKly15LB
Advertisement— Galway GAA (@Galway_GAA) April 20, 2022
Large crowds gathered at Kenny Park in Athenry on Wednesday to pay tribute.
The name Kate and her shirt number 12 were displayed in large letters on the pitch during the candlelit vigil.
RTÉ GAA correspondent Marty Morrissey conducted a vox-pop among attendees at the vigil. They shared their special memories ofKate Moran.
One woman said she would cherish her memory of Kate zipping around town in her Beetle car.
“In the last year she got a Beetle car, and it really suited her personality. A lovely white Beetle car. I will never forget that happy, smiley face on the girl. She always had a big huge smile on her face.”
Another man said that it was quite poignant to see so may people candles being lit at the vigil.
“ To see the candles lighting at all areas of the pitch. We must of had six or seven thousand people at the vigil. To me that is huge. It speaks words for what was thought of Kate and her family and the Athenry camogie club.”
Athenry Camogie Club described Ms Moran as a “tremendous role model”.
“This is a terrible tragedy for her family, our club and our community,” said a club statement.
“We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with the Moran family and friends. Kate will be greatly missed by all who knew her.”
Please find the details of Kate Moran’s Funeral arrangements through the following link.
Ar dheis Dí go raibh a anam dílishttps://t.co/0tdzYeF9jf pic.twitter.com/21bVntAyOZ— Athenry Camogie Club (@AthenryCamogie) April 20, 2022
The club added: “She was a tremendous role model for our many underage players and a wonderful leader both on and off the field of play. Her bubbly personality will be remembered for eternity.”
Joe Rabbitte, one of her coaches, said Ms Moran was a “wonderful, wonderful kid”.
“A part of Athenry camogie died on Monday, we’re devastated, it’s going to be a very hard road for us to travel for the next couple of months,” he told RTE.
Ms Moran was a third year student at NUI Galway’s College of Business, Public Policy and Law.
In a statement, the university said: “We at NUI Galway are deeply saddened at the sudden, tragic death of student Kate Moran and extend our heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends and loved ones.
“She was a tremendous role model, a talented sportswoman and someone who had a bright future ahead of her, both on and off the field.
“Our hearts go out to all those who knew and loved Kate.”
Funeral arrangements
Ms Moran will lie in repose at her home in Monivea on Thursday with her funeral taking place tomorrow at the local Church of the Sacred Heart.
Father Benny McHale, of St Mary’s Parish in Athenry, told Morning Ireland on RTE Radio 1 that he has never seen such a “veil of sorrow” encompass a community.
“I have been a priest for a long time. I have seen lots of tragedy and brokenness. I new saw anything like this. It was almost like a Good Friday darkness came over the whole land. A darkness came over the whole parish, the community and the county.
"I have never met so many people so taken up with grief and sorrow. It all came together tonight. So many people coming here. Like Mary and the disciples standing at the foot of the cross. Broken hearted. I thought Good Friday was over but Good Friday came again for the Moran family.”
Fr McHale said that it meant a good deal to the Moran family that locals “came to stand with them in their sorrow.”
“They are so grateful. But knowing that nobody can ever take the place of their daughter.”
The requiem mass will be live streamed on https://m.facebook.com/Abbeyknockmoy-Parish-100964301576727/ with burial following at Templemoyle Cemetery, Newcastle, Athenry.
-Additional reporting by Olivia Kelleher
