Liverpool manager to write to family of schoolboy

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is to write to the family of a young Cork fan of the club who died after a kickabout with his friends.

Graham O’Connell, 14, died from a suspected heart attack after a game of football with friends in Mayfield, on the northside of Cork City, on Monday.

His friends mounted a Twitter campaign urging the club to honour his memory by displaying his name on the scoreboard during the club’s Europa League qualifier against Hearts tonight.

However, that looks unlikely. Last night, the club’s supporters’ committee posted a message on Facebook which read: “We have received a number of emails from well-wishers expressing a desire for LFC to make an announcement or put his name on the scoreboard tomorrow night. Club officials have informed us that it is not possible for LFC to use the scoreboard but Brendan Rodgers will be writing a personal letter to Graham’s family and the club will be in contact with them soon.”

Graham, who is survived by parents David and Jackie and sisters Karen and Edel, will be buried after requiem Mass today in St Catherine’s Cemetery in Kilcully.