Tributes to teen who died saving 2 girls from drowning

Hero schoolboy Ricky Osagie will receive a guard of honour from the football club he played his heart out for when he is laid to rest later this week.

The 13-year-old striker, who planned to make football his career, dreamed of playing for Ireland and was looking forward to a trial with Arsenal in a few weeks time.

In a poignant Facebook tribute his aunt posted a photograph of him in an Ireland jersey balancing a ball on his raised foot.

Omoigui Bridget wrote: “My darling nephew. Thinking how I am going to stay the rest of my life without seeing you again. My heart bleeds for your death. RIP our hero for life.”

It was just one of hundreds of messages posted on social media over the weekend by devastated family members, friends, neighbours and the football community — at first willing Ricky to recover and then expressing deep sorrow at his death.

Ricky was pulled unconscious from a man-made lake at Waterville Park near his home in Blanchardstown in west Dublin last Friday after he bravely plunged into the water to help two local girls who had got into difficulties swimming there.

He was rushed to Temple Street Children’s Hospital but died there early on Saturday morning. The two girls were also hospitalised but have recovered well.

His distraught parents, Kelly and Lydia Osagie, were by his side when he died and have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of grief and support that has followed his death.

The couple are from Nigeria but Ricky, like his sisters, Temma, 11, and Omonigho, 6, was born in Ireland and he was immersed in the sporting life of the community.

He played for Corduff FC and club jerseys and flags were among the flowers and other mementoes left at the scene of the accident.

Team-mates, other players and club officials are to form a guard of honour outside St Patrick’s Church, Corduff this Friday for his removal and on Saturday morning when his funeral Mass takes place.