Mourners attending the funeral of esteemed and deeply loved Armagh GAA star, Laura McGibbon were comforted by hearing that she is now the “brightest star in the sky” who will constantly watch of her two young daughters – who were “the light of her life” and her husband, Marty – who she loved from day one.
Laura, from Lurgan, was a central figure in one of the most successful eras in Armagh ladies’ football history. Her sporting accolades were not only impressive, but endless.
Tragically, the devoted mother-of-two passed away suddenly on December 30 plunging her close-knit community into a deep state of shock, disbelief and profound sadness.
Presiding over her Requiem Mass, on what is only the second day of the New Year, Father Colum Murphy told mourners in St Peter’s Parish, Lurgan that “death does not break the bonds of love. Death does not have the final say.”
The Priest explained that when Laura was raised in Albert Street by her parents, the late Harry and Bernie from the “earliest age she always had a football close by”.
Her favourite Premier League club was Liverpool and he said this is where her “love of sport began”.
Laura went on to win medals and trophies in snooker and in boxing before finding a love for Gaelic football. In Gaelic she played for both club and county with “immense distinction and pride” and achieved many accolades in this.
Father Murphy said simply, “she was a true Gael”.
It was after football training when she was 16-years-old that she met her husband, Marty.
The priest said they were “inseparable from day one”. Of the beginning of their love story, he explained that after the match Marty stayed on to ask her out… “crutches and all”.
Said Fr Murphy: “He asked could he walk her home and asked if she wanted to go out with him. Within one week he had given her a matching heart necklace… he had one half, Laura had the other. And, that was it!”
Nine years ago, their “love grew” when their family increased in size by one, with the arrival of Eirinn. It grew again when Maeva came along.
“Laura was the best mummy that anyone could ask for,” continued Father Murphy. “Her two girls were the absolute light of her life. 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.”
Referring to a reading of the Holy Gospel according to John, the priest said he had chosen that particular Gospel for a reason, explaining: “It is an image of immense grief and tragedy” where Jesus’ close friends and family mourned his death and attempted to understand how they might cope with their loss.
He said, “What Jesus does is quite remarkable… he creates a new family. He gives his own mother to John to look after him and he gives his mother a new son.
“I have only been in this parish for 15 months but I have already seen that this community does this in such 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.”
He continued: “Jesus does something else. Three days later he rose from the dead… Death does not break bonds of love that we have in this life. Death does not have the final say. Laura will still be with us in everything we do…. Laura will still be a guiding light… Her love for you will never stop.”
Laura’s nieces Holly, Hannah and Emily were then invited to give prayers alongside Laura’s daughter, Eirinn.
Bravely fighting back their tears the young girls, comforted by Fr Murphy said: “We pray for auntie Laura. May God reward her for all the goodness and kindness she displayed to all of us throughout her life.” “We pray for auntie Laura’s family and friends that God will visit them in comfort and peace. We pray to the Lord.” “We pray for all our departed family and friends, especially auntie Laura’s parents, Harry and Bernie. May they rest in peace. We pray to the Lord.”
Nine-year-old, Eirinn prayed: “We thank you God for the gift of mummy’s life, for all the love, laughter and joy she gave us and the memories we now have. We pray to the Lord.”
Fr Murphy shared a poem from Shane, Laura’s nephew. It read: “Laura Brown, an auntie, second mum and friend all in one / Unparalleled achievements with a heart as big as the sun / An Ulster and All-Ireland winner, topped off with an All Star / Wherever I go Laura, please don’t be far / A goal line clearance against Waterford / I cheered so loud you’d have thought she scored / No words can describe how much you meant to me. that’s RLB Number 3 / You were the life and soul of the party / But also a rock for your husband Marty / An inspiration for so many young girls to get into football / A woman who would help you feel ten foot tall / All of the photos and posts show just how much you were thought of / Please look after us all from above / A loving wife, mother, auntie, cousin and friend / You were a joy to be around / Goodbye Laura, on the blanket on the ground.”
The emotional reading culminated with a round of applause from the congregation before the priest introduced Catherine and Tommy to say a few words.
Catherine, speaking on behalf of Clann Éireann said the club had lost one its “most precious daughters” adding, “there will never be another Laura”.
She said Laura wore the club badge with pride and though a valued coach, player, mentor and friend she was “more than that full”, as a woman full of “kindness strength and laughter”.
Tommy then shared a few words of gratitude for the PSNI, paramedics and fire service who all attended the scene on Tuesday and did “everything possible in very difficult conditions”.
His thanks extended to neighbours, friends and family who “rallied together”, the GAA family – from near and far – and those who paid “glowing tributes” to Laura.
He thanked those who stewarded or helped in any way at all and to Fr Colum, he said “thank you for everything you have done, going above and beyond in the call of duty. You won’t be forgotten for it.”
Tommy read a final poem ‘An Ode to Laura’ from Laura’s dear friends, Aine and Emma.
It read: “Laura Brown you were worth your weight in gold / But you were also so, so bold / Life is never going to be the same / There’s only me left for Aine to shout at and blame / After putting our stories together / We realise now the lies you told us all / Anything to get to the club and have a ball / ‘I’m going to the shop’, is your most famous quote / But really sneaking in for a pint, singing the blanket and hurting your throat / How are we here this can’t be true? / We were expecting that laugh and you shouting, ‘Boo!’ / Talent in abundance, beauty even more / Just wish you knew Laura our hearts are so sore / Eirinn, Maeva and Marty her pride and joy, her whole heart / 25 years with Marty she loved him from the start / The amount of pics and videos of her have made us laugh so hard / Don’t know how she got away with things / And didn’t get us barred / We spoke through slagging that was just our way / But I hope you know we loved you in every single way / Now you are with your mum and dad side by side / Watch over your girls with love and pride / One last wee slag before we let you go / Remember the tin opener, Pea-head! O! Tally ho! / All our love Aine and Emma.”
