Pals want Liverpool tribute for tragic fan Graham

[King Binny]

THE FAMILY of a football-crazy teen who collapsed and died during a match with friends has now asked Liverpool FC to pay a special tribute to the boy.

Graham O'Connell (14) -- who had previously been treated for a heart complaint -- died on Monday evening after he collapsed during a kick-about on a green hear his Cork home.

His family and friends have asked the English club to remember him at their Europa Cup clash against Hearts at Anfield tomorrow night.

Graham, who idolised the Anfield club, had been eagerly counting down the days to the start of the new season.

"He was the biggest Red in Cork -- he absolutely loved Liverpool," one friend told the Herald.

The Cork teen even got Liverpool's new jersey for the 2012/13 season.

Friends of Graham -- backed by his family -- have launched a Twitter and email campaign to ask Liverpool to post a message of tribute on the Anfield scoreboard.

Graham's parents, David and Jackie, are "absolutely devastated" by the tragedy.

They were too upset to comment to the Herald today at their Mayfield home.

A family member said they have been overwhelmed by messages of sympathy and support.

"Everyone is in shock -- we're just too upset to say anything. We just cannot believe it," she said.

Graham, from The Steeples, in Mayfield, Cork, was just metres from his home when he collapsed during an evening kick-about on Monday.

He had previously been treated in Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin for a heart issue -- but had refused to allow it restrict his lifestyle and his love of playing football with his friends.

He had also been assessed at a special UK clinic.

"He was playing around with his mates and he fell down without warning. They went over to him and they thought he was just messing.

"They didn't realise it, but he was already gone," a friend said.

The O'Connell family is deeply involved in Glen Rovers GAA club -- and Graham's two sisters were at a camogie training session when the tragedy occurred.

Graham was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital but doctors were unable to revive him.

Graham will be removed tonight to Our Lady Crowned Church in Mayfield. His coffin will be adorned by his favourite Liverpool jersey. He will be buried after Requiem Mass at noon tomorrow.

A FATHER battled to save the life of his young son who collapsed and died while playing football with his friends near his home.

Graham O'Connell (14) had been playing in the green area of The Steeples, Mayfield, Co Cork, when he collapsed suddenly at about 5.45pm on Monday.

It is understood he had suffered from a heart condition.

The football-mad youngster, and pupil of St Aidan's Community College in Dublin Hill, was due to travel to England at the weekend to watch his beloved Liverpool team play Arsenal.

Following the sudden death, Graham's heartbroken friends started up a Twitter campaign to have him remembered on the Anfield scoreboard tomorrow night when Liverpool play Hearts in the Europa League.

One friend tweeted: "Please remember the passing of 14-year-old Graham O'Connell, a huge Liverpool fan, by displaying his name on the scoreboard Thurs nite."

Local councillor Ted Tynan, who knows the family, said: "There were other kids on the road as well and he just fell down on the ground.

"I called to the house this morning and they are devastated. He was out on the road kicking the ball, looking forward to going over to the Liverpool game next weekend. He would have been full of life that way."

Graham's devastated father David rushed to his son's aid with the help of a local doctor and another neighbour after the teenager collapsed.

The emergency services responded to frantic calls for help and battled to save the young boy's life.

He was later pronounced dead at Cork University Hospital. The O'Connell family were too upset to speak last night.

Graham is survived by his parents David and Jackie and sisters Edel and Karen.

Neighbour Dolores Hosford described Graham as outgoing, chatty and respectful. "We knew him since he was a little kid. He was a big Liverpool fan.

"Hopefully they'll put his name up on the scoreboard," she said.

Graham's removal service will take place this evening at the Coburg Street funeral home at 7pm and the funeral will be at Our Lady Crowned Church in Mayfield at noon tomorrow.

He will be laid to rest in St Catherine's Cemetery, Kilcully.

R.I.P. Graham

 

[goodspam]

Sad news.

 

[Fallon]

It's terrible news.

Cute puppy, though.

 

[Shadey]

I'm sure they'll do it

 

[goodspam]

Liverpool are to contact an Irish family to express their deepest sympathies over the sudden death of their football- obsessed teenage son.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is to write a personal letter of condolence to the family of Graham O'Connell (14), in Cork, who will today bury the teen who collapsed and died while playing football near his home with friends.
The Anfield club have also confirmed they will post special condolences to the family on the club's Twitter feed -- a service Graham used daily to keep up to date with developments at his favourite club.
"We are aware of the efforts being made by Graham's friends and family to honour his memory," a Liverpool spokesperson told the Irish Independent.
"If Graham's family wanted to come to Anfield they would of course be welcomed and we would look after them. We are in the process of obtaining contact details for the family and Brendan will be writing to them in due course. Our condolences go out to them at such a sad time."