Laura McGibbon: Emergency services including police, firefighters and paramedics thanked by Lurgan family of 'true Gael' as Armagh GAA legend is laid to rest

Speaking at the service at St Peter’s Church in Lurgan, a family friend said the emergency services did ‘everything possible in very difficult conditions’ though Laura sadly passed away on Tuesday.

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The chapel was packed, filled with many of Laura’s Clann Eireann and Co Armagh GAA Ladies team mates and many family and friends.

Laura won several accolades during her GAA career and was a member of the Armagh ladies side which won the 2012 All-Ireland intermediate football championship. Her talent earned her an All-Star nomination, as well as Player of the Match awards in both the Ulster and All-Ireland finals.

There was silence as her little daughter Eirinn, her voice cracking in sorrow, said: “We thank you God for the gift of Mummy’s life, for all the love, laughter and joy you gave us and the memories we now have.” Her youngest daughter Maeva helped carry a gift for the Altar.

Born and raised in Albert St, Lurgan, the daughter of Harry and Bernie, she had a football close by from the earliest age, a priest, Fr Colum Murphy told mourners.

“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.

"It was after her football training when she was 16 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 if he could 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.

"Nine years ago this love grew when two became three with the arrival of Eirinn and then grew even more when Maeva came along. Laura was the best mummy that anyone could ask for and the 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.”

"I’ve only been in this parish for 15 months but I have already seen that this community already does this is 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.

"I’ve no doubt that this will continue well into the future so that Laura’s second family, Clann Eireann Ladies, the wider club and all those friends she knew throughout this community will support and love with everything they possibly can those who miss Laura the most,” he said.

A friend from Clann Eireann said the club had ‘lost one of its most precious daughters’. “There will never be another Laura.”

"Laura, or just Brown as she was affectionately referred to in football circles was Clann Eireann through-and-through. Her energy, passion and drive infiltrated every part of the club as a gifted footballer, coach, mentor and a friend.

“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 a 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 on us all will not fade. It will live on in the friendships she shaped, the young players she inspired and the love she shared so generously. Our hearts break for her 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. May Laura rest in eternal peace. And may we all take strength from the precious memories and love we shared."

A close friend of the family said: “We would like to thank the PSNI, the paramedics and the Fire Service who all attended the scene on Tuesday and who done everything possible in very difficult conditions.

“To all our neighbours, friends, and family who have rally together over these last few days whose support have met the world to us.

“To all the GAA family, I see a lot of them here today from there and far, who have all paid glowing tributes to Laura. To all those who stewarded and who helped in any another way at all - a sincere thanks.

“To Fr Colum for everything that you have done, you have went up and beyond the call of duty.

He also read ‘An Ode to Laura’ by Aine and Emma in which she was described as ‘worth her weight in gold’. ‘Life is never going to be the same.

She had “talent in abundance, beauty even more. Just wish you knew it 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.”