Girl, 14, dies after collapsing during Gaelic football match

A 14-year-old girl has died after she collapsed during an underage Gaelic football match in County Wexford.

Secondary school student Ciara Ryan died as a result of a suspected brain haemorrhage while playing a match with an under-14 team in Gorey on Thursday evening.

Ciara became unwell during the game, complaining of a headache, and subsequently fainted.

A paramedic was watching the match from the sideline and delivered first aid on the scene. A local doctor also arrived within minutes.

An ambulance arrived later and conveyed the teenager to Wexford General Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Ciara was the daughter of local couple Anthony and Patricia Ryan.

She was a student at the local Gorey Community Secondary School.

Described as a keen athlete, she was a prominent member of the Kilanerin, Ballyfad GAA Club’s underage set-up, and also played soccer locally.

The death of the teenager has left the rural community in north Co Wexford in shock.

Described as a “lovely and bubbly girl” by her peers, Ciara’s death has sparked an out-pouring of grief.

Gorey county councillor Robert Ireton expressed his sadness at the tragic loss of a local young person.

“It’s devastating news for the parish of Kilanerin…very sad on the whole community,” said Mr Ireton.

The Labour councillor noted that the rural community was “very close-knit” and the sudden death of a young person would have a profound impact on everyone.

He added his concern for the other young people on the team who would have to come to terms with the loss of their teammate.

“It will be very difficult for them to take in properly I have no doubt, it just beggars belief that something like this would happen to a young girl,

” said Mr Ireton.

Fine Gael TD and chairperson of the GAA club Michael D’Arcy expressed his sadness at the tragic loss.

“My whole community is in shock,” said Mr D’Arcy.