Irish Examiner’s powerful front-page tribute to Jonah Lomu touches hearts globally

The stark yet affecting image prompted an immediate reaction when the paper shared it on social media.

Thu, 19 Nov, 2015 - 10:47

Grainne McGuinness

The sporting world is in mourning following the untimely death of All Black legend Jonah Lomu, and a visual tribute to the player from the Irish Examiner has struck a chord with many.

The Irish Examiner, a sister organisation to breakingnews.ie, used this powerful image on today’s front cover.

A tribute from our front page to the late rugby legend #JonahLomu who sadly passed away at the age of 40. #RIPJonah pic.twitter.com/DlzESqqmdG
— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) November 18, 2015

The stark yet affecting image prompted an immediate reaction when the paper shared it on social media.

The page attracted attention in Ireland and beyond.

@irishexaminer beautiful way to mark a great #RIPJonah
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) November 19, 2015

@irishexaminer congratulations, simple and so very moving #thankyou
— Donald Peddie (@turbrech) November 19, 2015

Belle image @irishexaminer 🌞 #JonahLomu #willremainaLegend 🏉
— Etienne (@Etiennecity) November 19, 2015

@irishexaminer excellent! Nice done and very expressive.
— Ladygarra (@garrapincha) November 19, 2015

Thank you @irishexaminer - simply brilliant just like him. pic.twitter.com/oxrwMuvZf3
— pearse fahy (@Pearse1) November 19, 2015

The image also made its way to Lomu’s native New Zealand, where it was shared on Super Rugby’s official Facebook page.

They captioned it: “The heartbreakingly simple front page of today's Irish Examiner” and the image has been re-shared from their site thousands of times.