'You owe me a rematch in Fifa': Brother pays tribute to e-scooter victim at funeral

Mourners hear tributes to Avu Idris, 17, at his funeral service

Avu Idris was on Waterford’s Villa FC U-17 squad.
Picture: Noel Browne

"I wish I had spent more time with you this year, if I had known you were going... and although it’s too late to say it, you owe me a rematch in Fifa.” 

These were the words of Nur Idris, speaking at the memorial service for his younger brother Avu.

17-year-old Avu, who was on Waterford’s Villa FC U-17 squad, was one of the two teenagers who died when their e-scooter collided with a coach last week.

Speaking to mourners at the Maranatha Christian Community Church, in Manor, Waterford city, Nur added: “I wish he was alive to carry on his football career.

“I wish he made it further.

“Just know that I really love you.

“Everyone loves you and everyone is going to miss you.” 

His sister Aminah wept as she stood up and addressed mourners, saying: “One thing about me and Avu is that we could not go a day without cracking a smile.” 

She recalled their “gatherings in the kitchen, debating on what to eat and what girl he’s texting next”.

She added: “I’ll never forget his handshakes, his presence, his love, and his time spent playing Fifa.

He was definitely the best big brother.

“I’m very blessed to have had interaction with him and I have no regrets.” 

Villa FC coach Johnny McEvoy — who was one of the coaches who coached him since he joined the club as an U12 player — also paid tribute to him.

He said that while he enjoyed watching players develop, “every once in a while you get a couple of individuals that really shine”.

In a faltering voice, he said: “Within that cohort, you get some who shine so bright that it is such a simple pleasure and [a blessing] to have got to know them.

“In the years I have been coaching, Avu was the brightest of those blessings.

“To say he made our job easy was an understatement.

“He was a strong leader amongst all the lads.

“He gave everything at all times, and he did all of this while wearing that Avu smile.

“He was an amazing person on and off the pitch, a true leader in every sense of the word, and someone who raised everyone up around him.” 

They were on their way back from Snap Fitness, in the Waterford Retail Park, at the time.

One of his best friends broke down as he told mourners how Avu had called him on the night he died and promised to play online games with him later.

“The last words I had... he told me that when he comes home from the gym, he was going to get in a game with me at 2am,” he recalled.

“But I didn’t hear from him again.” 

Tommy Kennedy, a close friend, told mourners he was "a wonderful friend, an incredible team mate, and an overall amazing person".

He said: "Your personality was always shining with a bright smile that showed your joy and happiness.

“No matter what the situation, you could always make people smile.

“I’m so grateful for the friendship we shared and the many memories we made together.” 

Music for the service was provided by the Maranatha Christian Community Church Youth Workshop Group.

The service, which was attended by about 300 mourners, started with Donna Taggart’s 'Jealous of the Angels'.

People wept quietly as the opening verse was played, with the lyric: "I didn't know today would be our last, or that I'd have to say goodbye to you so fast.” 

Well-wishers and friends have left bouquets of flowers, candles, cards, and a teddy bear by the roadside, near where the incident happened.

As well as Nur and Aminah, Avu is survived by his father Fatah, mother Priscilla, brothers Mury and Adam, sister Noora, as well as his uncles Kasim and Yusuf.

He will be buried on Thursday after a two-hour funeral Sservice at the Maranatha Christian Community Church, from 10am, with removal at noon to Kilbarry Cemetery for burial on arrival.