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Meath captain Shane McEntee, left, and Wexford captain Martin O'Connor hold commemorative jerseys in memory to the late Ashling Murphy before the O'Byrne Cup match in Ashbourne. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
This week, it’s been hard to think about anything or anyone except Ashling Murphy. Even the bright sporting moments, such as the Barrs’ thundering, highly entertaining victory over Austin Stacks in the Munster football final, were tempered and shadowed by the sadness of Ashling’s senseless death.
Before the match, both managers extended their condolences to the Murphy family, and spoke movingly about how devastating news such as this puts sport in perspective. It has been heartening to see the wider GAA family remember and pay their respects to Ashling, camogie being one aspect of her busy and vibrant life, by holding a minute’s silence before many of last weekend’s matches.