Tears as sports star Aoife laid to rest

SHE was looking forward to her first teenage disco this weekend, had just got tickets to see Rihanna in concert next year and was being tipped to play international ladies’ soccer for Ireland.

But yesterday, the grief-stricken family and friends of the once-vibrant and talented young sports star, Aoife Downey, 15, who died after a freak sledding accident in Cork at the weekend, gathered to say goodbye.

Chief celebrant Fr Bob Brophy told mourners at the Church of the Incarnation in Frankfield that Aoife was doing on Saturday what every young person should do — “being fully alive, enjoying life and being adventurous”.