Funeral of GAA player Red Og Murphy told he was 'loved, cherished and adored'

Sligo and DCU star Red Og (21) died tragically on Tuesday, April 5th in Dublin.

Today, the young man was laid to rest on following an emotional funeral mass at his parish church in Moylough, Co Sligo.

The mass celebrant, Fr Leo Henry, told mourners that Red Og had a presence that would brighten your day.

“Red Og was loved, cherished and adored by so many people.

"His was a presence that brightened your day, a presence that put a smile on your face and a presence that put a pep in your step,” he said.

“What Red Og achieved in 21 years may well take others four score years and ten more to achieve.”

Fr Henry called on the community to “air their feelings” and “not let this happen again.”

“Some unexplainable darkness descended onto Red Og last Thursday night and into Friday morning,” he continued.

“There but for the grace of God, Red Og entered a dark space, and thus he left behind him another dark cloud.”

He said the death of Red Og was “sudden, unexpected and untimely that has stunned and shocked all of us and so many others across our country and his death has left a huge void in the local community.”

He urged other young people to “talk about your feelings, express your anger, vent your rage.”

He said help was available for anyone else who needed it.

“Please make a pledge with your best friend to tell them if you are feeling unwell, and your best friend will do the rest, they will act immediately and get you the help you need.”

“Please make a pledge with your best friend to tell them if you are feeling unwell, and your best friend will do the rest, they will act immediately and get you the help you need,” he continued.

The Mayo GAA star’s former teacher and friend, Colm McGee, read a eulogy on behalf of his heartbroken family.

“The words I’ve heard all week are charismatic, warm, genuine, kind, gentle. We can all learn great lessons with how he treated people.”

Speaking about his humble attitude to his sporting career, he added: “One of his club mates said earlier in the week, some of the stuff he did just had to be seen to be believed.”

“His beautiful left foot. His ability to stay in the air and field high balls.

"His fitness levels, his squeaky clean boots and his very, very questionable haircuts. He just didn’t accept the mediocre from himself.

"He propelled himself and the teams he was a part of to new heights.”

“He reached heights that most of us can only aspire to and in doing so he inspired everyone he came in contact with, young and old,” he continued.

He also used the eulogy as an opportunity to encourage the mourners to “lean on someone in your time of need. Share your nagging thoughts.”

“Let us use words for good, let us use words to build people up instead of knocking people down.”

“Communicate, talk and listen, empathise with people, share your thoughts, care for one another,” he said.

The body of the late DCU student was carried to the church by his friends and family as a guard of honour lined the streets.

During the ceremony, gifts offered included football and a pair of football boots, a crucifix he made in school, a family photograph, a textbook and a pair of “fancy socks” brought up by his heartbroken girlfriend to symbolise his love of style.