GAA match is postponed after death of three-year-old

A RURAL community was plunged into mourning at the weekend following the death of a three-year-old girl.

Little Annabel Loughlin died following a tragic accident at the family home in Co. Westmeath on Friday.

Yesterday, the Leinster club hurling semi-final between Westmeath’s Clonkill and Dublin’s Ballyboden St Enda’s was postponed as a mark of respect for the grieving family.

Annabel’s father Enda Loughlin plays for the Clonkill club.

In a statement posted to its Facebook page yesterday, Westmeath GAA said its network of players and supporters ‘stood in solidarity’ with the Loughlin family in the wake of Annabel’s death.

Clonkill hurling club offered the sympathy of its members to the Loughlin family ‘on the tragic loss of their little princess Annabel’.

Ballyboden St Enda’s GAA sent its ‘deepest condolences’ from its club base in southwest Dublin. The rescheduled match will take place tomorrow at Dublin’s Parnell Park.

Annabel’s funeral Mass will take place tomorrow morning in the Church of the Assumption in Delvin, Co. Westmeath, followed by burial in Taghmon Cemetery, Co. Westmeath.