Our powerful tribute to Jonah Lomu touches hearts globally

The sporting world is in mourning following the untimely death of All Black legend Jonah Lomu, and a visual tribute to the player from today’s paper has struck a chord with many.

The powerful image was highlighted first on today’s Irish Examiner front page.

The stark yet affecting image prompted an immediate reaction when we shared it on social media.

A tribute from our front page to the late rugby legend #JonahLomu who sadly passed away at the age of 40. #RIPJonah pic.twitter.com/DlzESqqmdG

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) November 18, 2015

The page attracted attention in Ireland and beyond.

@irishexaminer beautiful way to mark a great #RIPJonah

— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 19, 2015

@irishexaminer congratulations, simple and so very moving #thankyou

— Donald Peddie (@turbrech) November 19, 2015

Belle image @irishexaminer 🌞 #JonahLomu #willremainaLegend 🏉

— Etienne (@Etiennecity) November 19, 2015

@irishexaminer excellent! Nice done and very expressive.

— Ladygarra (@garrapincha) November 19, 2015

Thank you @irishexaminer - simply brilliant just like him. pic.twitter.com/oxrwMuvZf3

— pearse fahy (@Pearse1) November 19, 2015

The image also made it’s way to Lomu’s native New Zealand, where it was shared on Super Rugby’s official Facebook page.

They captioned it: “The heartbreakingly simple front page of today’s Irish Examiner” and the image has been re-shared from their site almost 40,000 times.

@irishexaminer That's a tremendous compliment. Thanks from a kiwi.

— MarkMyWords (@MarkSReynolds) November 19, 2015

@irishexaminer Nobody does poetic sorrow quite as well as the Irish. Respect, from NZ.

— CityZen (@citizen_parable) November 19, 2015

@irishexaminer love ya work ! #brilliant ! Kia ora from #NZ xx pic.twitter.com/b8nKo7cJd3

— Ali Leonard (@AliLeonardMC) November 19, 2015

The reaction was so great that @irishexaminer was trending throughout Twitter.

Irish Examiner, @irishexaminer is now trending in #Wellington https://t.co/S9pUxd1p2P

— Trendsmap Wellington (@TrendWellington) November 19, 2015

Irish Examiner, @irishexaminer is now trending in #Sydney https://t.co/pCmfpRNn0r

— Trendsmap Sydney (@TrendsSydney) November 19, 2015

Irish Examiner, @irishexaminer is now trending in Australia https://t.co/giFpgT62Zv

— Trends Australia (@TrendsAustralia) November 19, 2015

Irish Examiner, @irishexaminer is now trending in #Melbourne https://t.co/X4NwPDCyjH

— Trendsmap Melbourne (@TrendsMelbourne) November 19, 2015

Irish Examiner, @irishexaminer is now trending in #CapeTown https://t.co/IgdYNrY9D3

— Trendsmap Cape Town (@TrendsCapeTown) November 19, 2015

Irish Examiner, @irishexaminer is now trending in #London https://t.co/K1m5a2VteU

— Trendsmap London (@TrendsLondon) November 19, 2015

Irish Examiner, @irishexaminer is now trending in New Zealand https://t.co/dewpaNTAwL

— Trendsmap NZ (@TrendsNZ) November 19, 2015

A fitting tribute to a sporting icon.