The mother of two died suddenly on Tuesday
Laura McGibbon (née Brown)
The funeral of former Armagh LGFA star Laura McGibbon (nee Brown) has taken place in Lurgan.
The mother of two, who was one of the greatest players in Armagh ladies history, died suddenly on Tuesday, December 30.
McGibbon, then Brown, was Player of the Match in both the Ulster final and the All-Ireland final in 2012 with Armagh, as well as being nominated for an All Star that year.
Speaking during the Requiem Mass at St Peter’s Church, Parish Priest Fr Colum Murphy recalled how the young woman developed a love of sport.
“She always had a football close by. She loved Liverpool Football Club, which is where her love of sport began and she went on to win medals and trophies in snooker and in boxing. She then found a love for Gaelic football and played for both club and county with immense distinction and pride, and achieved many accolades in this. She was a true Gael,” he said.
“It was after her football training, when she was 16, that she met Marty and they were inseparable from day one. Marty had noticed a tanned girl running around, so he stayed on to ask her out, crutches and all.
“He asked, could he walk her home and if she wanted to go out with him. Within just one week, he had given her a matching heart necklace. He had one half, Laura had the other. and that was it.”
Fr Murphy told the congregation that the love between Laura and Marty grew when nine years ago they welcomed their daughter Eirinn into the world, followed by Maeva.
“Laura was the best mommy that anyone could ask for, and her two girls were the absolute light of her life and their mummy is now the brightest star in the sky watching over them, and they will always make her so proud, each and every single day,” he continued.
“And these are just a few memories that Laura’s family shared with me, but there are countless other memories that so, so many people will have of her and treasure in the time ahead.”
Fr Murphy said that while he had only been in the parish for 15 months, he had witnessed the community coming together in an “incredible way.”
“In times when it is needed, this community comes together so that for those who need it, they literally become a new family, offering support and love that is above and beyond what I have ever witnessed before and I have no doubt that this will continue well into the future, so that when Laura’s second family, the Clann Éireann ladies, the wider club, and all those other friends that she knew throughout this community will support and love with everything they possibly can, those who miss Laura the most.
“But what we also have to remember is Jesus does something else. Three days later, he rose from the dead. He overcame death itself, so that we can know that death does not break the bonds of love that we have in this life. Death does not have the final say.
“Even now, Laura will still be with us in everything we do. Laura will still be a guiding light in our lives. Laura will still be sharing her joy and love for us from where she is now and until we are reunited with her in heaven, her love for you will never stop.
“And God’s love for us all will remind us that we are all truly family and will be our strength and our hope in this time ahead.”
One of Laura’s Clann Éireann teammates told those gathered that Laura was “Clann Éireann through and through.”
“Her energy, passion, and drive infiltrated every part of the club as a gifted footballer, coach, mentor, and a friend,” she said.
“Laura wore the badge with honour, and the initials on her back inspired her to give her very best to every training session, every match, and every battle.
“She was the leader in the team and in the changing room and on the field, but more than that, she was full of kindness, strength, and laughter.
“In football, we talk about leaving everything on the pitch. Laura did that in life. The mark she has left in us all will not fade. It will live on in the friendship she shaped, the young players she inspired, and the love she shared so generously.
“Our hearts break for our beloved husband Martin, their two beautiful girls, Eirinn and Maeva, and the entire Brown and McGibbon families. We hold them close in our thoughts and prayers. We are there for them always. As we say goodbye today, we do not let go of her. Instead, we carry her forward with gratitude for the time we had and the happy memories that we made.”
A spokesperson for the family thanked the PSNI, paramedics, and fire service who attended the scene, as well as the neighbours, friends, and family who rallied around to support them over the last few days.
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