The senseless murder of Ashling Murphy in Tullamore took its toll on the country this week, and has led to days of public grieving and solidarity.
With a full day of Irish sporting action on Saturday, Gaelic football and rugby teams up and down the island paid their tributes to the late school teacher, with many teams leaving the number 23 (Murphy's age) vacant in their matchday squads.
The most poignant tribute came from Murphy's home county of Offaly, whose senior football team linked arms with their opponents Louth for a moment's silence ahead of their O'Byrne Cup tie on Saturday.
Murphy was a member of the Kilcormac-Killoughy club in Offaly and played with the senior camogie team.
Two counties stand united in a lovely tribute to Ashling Murphy as a wreath is laid in her memory pic.twitter.com/4gCHzbwvqh
— Mary Dunne (@maryballyfore) January 15, 2022
Courtesy of Sportsfile, here are some shots of the touching tributes to the late Ashling Murphy up and down the country on Saturday.
15 January 2022; A general view of the Wexford number 23 jersey, which was left vacant, and a wreath for Ashling Murphy, who was murdered in Tullamore, Offaly, earlier this week, before the O'Byrne Cup Group B match between Meath and Wexford at Ashbourne GAA Club in Ashbourne, Meath. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
15 January 2022; A detailed view of the remembrace card written by the Wexford team for the late Ashling Murphy, who was murdered in Tullamore, Offaly, before the O'Byrne Cup Group B match between Meath and Wexford at Ashbourne GAA Club in Ashbourne, Meath. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
15 January 2022; Meath captain Shane McEntee, left, and Wexford captain Martin O'Connor hold commemorative jerseys in memory to the late Ashling Murphy before the O'Byrne Cup Group B match between Meath and Wexford at Ashbourne GAA Club in Ashbourne, Meath. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
15 January 2022; A tribute to the late Ashling Murphy, who was murdered in Tullamore, Offaly earlier this week, is seen on the big screen at half-time in the Heineken Champions Cup Pool B match between Connacht and Leicester Tigers at The Sportsground in Galway. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
15 January 2022; Fermanagh players stand for a moment's silence in memory of the late Ashling Murphy before the Dr McKenna Cup round 3 match between Fermanagh and Derry at Shamrock Park in Roslea, Fermanagh. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
15 January 2022; Spectators stand for a moment's silence in memory of the late Ashling Murphy before the O'Byrne Cup Group A match between Longford and Dublin at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in Longford. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
15 January 2022; Dublin players during a moment's applause in memory of the late Ashling Murphy before the O'Byrne Cup Group A match between Longford and Dublin at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park in Longford. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
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