President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Trina Murray, has paid tribute to former Armagh footballer Aoife Lennon, who tragically died in a car crash on Wednesday, reports The Mirror.
Aoife, aged 38, was part of the Armagh panel that secured the Ulster Junior title in 2004, and she later earned a TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship medal in 2005. At club level, she won a Junior Championship medal with Derrynoose.
She was behind the wheel of her car when it collided with a truck on the N2 near Castleshane in Co Monaghan at approximately 2.45pm on Wednesday, September 10, reports The Mirror.
Despite the efforts of emergency personnel at the scene, Aoife – who lived in Derrynoose, Co Armagh, and was married to a local Garda – was sadly pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination will be scheduled. No other individuals were injured in the incident.
In addition to her playing career, Aoife also worked as a coach with Ulster GAA, regularly visiting primary schools across Armagh to teach the basics of Gaelic Games, reports The Mirror.
“News of Aoife’s passing has come as a huge shock to all of us at the Ladies Gaelic Football Association.
“We watched Aoife wearing the colours of Derrynoose and Armagh with distinction for many years and she was a truly wonderful footballer,” said LGFA President, Trina Murray said.
“In a coaching capacity, Aoife also displayed exemplary skills and she touched the lives of many young people with her abilities in that regard, as well as serving as a much-loved and admired role model with her prowess on the field of play, reports The Mirror.
“An extremely warm and caring person, Aoife has left a long-lasting legacy and her life has sadly been cut short far too soon. On behalf of all of us at the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, I wish to extend our sympathies to Aoife’s wife, Karen, all family members and her wide circle of friends. Aoife was a trailblazer whose passing will leave a huge void in the lives of so many people. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dÃlis,” reports The Mirror.
Aoife was a long-time member of Derrynoose GAA, and the club shared a heartfelt tribute online.
“The members of Derrynoose GAC deeply regret the death of former player Aoife Lennon who has tragically passed away on Wednesday 10th September,” said a post on social media, reports The Mirror.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Aoife’s wife Karen, her mum & dad Seamus and Adele, her brothers Patrick & Sean (Senior player), sisters in law Michelle and Michaella(Committee Members) her nephew Jamie, her nieces Grace & Lila (underage players) and to her wider family circle,” reports The Mirror.
Ulster GAA also expressed condolences, recognising Aoife’s contribution to their coaching team.
“It is with deep sadness that Ulster GAA mourns the tragic passing of our former colleague, Aoife Lennon. Aoife was a valued member of the Ulster GAA team as a Key Stage 1 Coach on our DENI Programme from 2007 – 2018. We offer our deepest condolences to her wife Karen, parents Seamus & Adele, brothers Patrick & Sean and the wider Lennon family. We remember Aoife’s friends and former teammates of Derrynoose GAC and Armagh LGFA, and all the schools and clubs she coached at,” reports The Mirror.
A funeral notice described Aoife as a “devoted wife of Karen and dearly beloved daughter of Seamus (Jamie) and Adele, cherished sister of Patrick (Michelle) and Sean (Micheala). Dear daughter in law of Ann and Kevin.”
Her funeral service will be held at St Mochua’s Church, Derrynoose on Thursday at 2pm, reports The Mirror.
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