RIP: Tributes paid to All-Ireland winner killed in road crash involving car and truck

Tributes have poured in following the death of well-known footballer and All-Ireland winner Aoife Lennon in a road collision earlier this week.

The incident, which happened on the N2 at Castleshane in County Monaghan on Wednesday afternoon, involved a car and a truck. 

Emergency services rushed to the scene but the Armagh woman, who was the driver of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. 

Aoife will be sadly missed by her wife Karen, parents Seamus (Jamie) and Adele, brothers Patrick and Sean, parents-in-law Ann and Kevin as well as all the extended family members and friends. 

The 38-year-old was a member of the Armagh squad that won the Ulster Junior title in 2004, before she captured a TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship medal in 2005. Aoife also won an Armagh Junior Championship with her club Derrynoose. 

Aoife served as an Ulster GAA coach and she visited many primary schools across Armagh, teaching the fundamentals of Gaelic Games. 

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Trina Murray, President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, is lead the tributes following Aoife's passing. "News of Aoife's passing has come as a huge shock to all of us at the Ladies Gaelic Football Association. We watched Aoife wearing the colours of Derrynoose and Armagh with distinction for many years and she was truly a wonderful footballer," she said. 

"In a coaching capacity, Aoife also displayed exemplary skills and she touched the lives of many young people with her abilities in that regard, as well as serving as a much-loved and admired role model with her prowess on the field of play.

"An extremely warm and caring person, Aoife has left a long-lasting legacy and her life has sadly been cut short far too soon. On behalf of all of us at the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, I wish to extend our sympathies to Aoife's wife, Karen, all family members and her wide circle of friends". 

"Aoife was a trailblazer whose passing will leave a huge void in the lives of so many people. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis".

Armagh LGFA also posted a tribute to Aoife following her passing. It read "Everyone in Armagh LGFA is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of our former player Aoife Lennon, R.I.P. Aoife was a part of our Junior All-Ireland winning team in 2005 and Ulster winning team in 2004". 

"We would like to send our condolences to Aoife's wife Karen, parents Seamus and Adele, brothers Patrick and Sean, her nieces and nephews and the wider family circle. We also keep in our thoughts Aoife's friends and former teammates in Armagh LGFA and Derrynoose GAC. Leaba i measc na naomh go raibh aici". 

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Heartfelt tributes have been left for Aoife on RIP.ie with one mourner saying "I met Aoife in June 2024, she was so kind and caring to me, I will always remember her for her courage, strength, kindness and her bubbly personality". 

Another message read "Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of a great girl, I remember her as a child and that beautiful head of black curls and her being the boss, she was already a character in the making". 

"Deepest condolences to Karen, the Lennon family and extended members of the Mullen family. I am thinking of you all through this difficult time, may her gentle soul rest in peace" wrote another mourner. 

Aoife's Funeral Mass will take place at St, Mochua's church in Derrynoose at 2pm on Saturday. Burial will take place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. 

May Aoife rest in peace.