Football club in emotional plea for ‘hugely popular' boy, 15, who died while swimming as family ‘devastated by tragedy'
Talented footballer
Co
Advertisement
4
Kofi Owusu tragically drowned while swimming in Co Meath
4
Redeemer Celtic said the club is 'heartbroken' by the tragedy
His body was
in Laytown on Friday night — three hours after the alarm was raised.
Kofi, who also went by the surname of Jackson, became the second teenager to lose his life in the water this week.
He was from the Blackrock area of
Kofi's
club Redeemer Celtic
yesterday told how the untimely passing of their talented player has "left so many heartbroken" and "shook a community, town and further to its core".
Advertisement
READ MORE IRISH NEWS
The club launched a
Paying tribute to their player, Redeemer Celtic said: "A child of fantastic talent. Hugely popular with a wide circle of friends.
"A child whose characteristics show he was raised as a highly respectful youngster. He was a credit to his loving family.
"A family that have been devastated by a tragedy, and sadly we have no words to ease their suffering at this horrendous time.
Advertisement
MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN
"This [appeal] can only help with support of the financial burden that also comes sadly at a heartbreaking times to so many.
Urgent warning for Irish parents as RNLI issues major water safety advice ahead of school holidays
"May God Rest your gentle soul Kofi, and gift strength to your family & loved ones at this time. Rest in peace Kofi."
The
In an emotional post by the
club last week, they lay two No 6 jerseys and flowers on their pitch in Kofi's memory.
Advertisement
The club said: "We are Heartbroken. Closed until further notice.'
'DILLIGENT STUDENT'
Kofi Owusu had just finished completing his Junior Certificate in Colaiste Chu Chulainn earlier this month.
In a statement, the school described his loss as a "terrible tragedy" for his family, friends, the school community and the local and surrounding areas.
A spokesperson said: "Kofi was a very caring young man with a wide circle of friends.
Advertisement
"He was a diligent student and a regular awardee for excellent attendance.
"Kofi was also an accomplished sportsman. He was a member of the school's under 15 soccer team and represented the school in the recent Leinster Shield final on the 19 of May 2025.
"Kofi was also a member of the school's under 16 basketball team and represented the school in the All-Ireland final on the 23 of January 2025.
"Our sympathy and thoughts are with Kofi's family and friends at this time."
Advertisement
SECOND TRAGEDY
The school confirmed that Guidance Counsellors and staff at the school will be helping students to deal with this tragic event.
The spokesperson added: "The school will be open to students and parents to support them and to offer them advice and guidance.
"The National Educational Psychological Service of the Department of Education and Youth have been in contact with the school and will be supporting and advising staff in their efforts to assist our students."
Kofi's funeral details are expected to be confirmed at a later time.
Advertisement
said they were aware of videos of this incident in circulation but urged people not to share them.
It marked the second such tragedy in a week after
died in the River Burrow on Tuesday.
Heartbroken pals of the teenage boy told he 17-year-old "would always stay smiling" in a poignant
4
Kofi had been living in the Blackrock area of Dundalk in Co Louth
Credit: Coláiste Chú Chulainn
Advertisement
4
The tragic incident occurred at Laytown Beach
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
16 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Jim McGuinness vows Donegal will bounce back after All-Ireland heartbreak as Kerry crush final dreams again
JIM MCGUINNESS insists Donegal will rise again despite losing Sunday's All-Ireland final. Advertisement 2 Donegal manager Jim McGuinness insists his side will bounce back after another All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry 2 Kerry lifted their 39th Sam Maguire title on Sunday at GAA HQ But He said: 'That's what you're hoping to do. There's a huge amount of good work going on in Donegal. 'There's massive amounts of work going on behind the scenes in terms of the academy and trying to build teams and trying to put our younger lads in a position where they can experience days like this more often, if you like. 'That work has to continue and the work with the players has to continue in the dressing room there as well. No, listen. Today is not the day for that. Advertisement read more on gaa 'We have to reflect today. We've got to take it on the chin and we've got to also tip our hat to Kerry. Kerry were brilliant today. 'They played really, really well for long periods of that game and even though we did get into situations where we felt we might get a bit of traction, that never really materialised. "So, yes, we have to take it on the chin.' And McGuinness refused to compare Donegal's 2014 All-Ireland final loss to the Kingdom's win on Sunday. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Live Blog The Glenties man walked as boss after that 2-9 to 0-12 result when they failed to turn up at Croke Park. But he believes the current crop can bounce back and move on from what happened against the Kingdom this time around. 'Sad to see him go' - GAA fans emotional seeing Michael D Higgins attend last men's All-Ireland final as President He said: 'No. None, We felt good going into the game. They were relaxed all weekend. We didn't feel it in the dressing room either. 'Just Kerry came hard. They came hard early and set the terms of the game. Then you're trying to manage that and you're trying to claw your way back in. Advertisement 'We tried to respond to that but, at the end of the day, they were still keeping the scoreboard ticking over. So, very quickly, you're in a fight. 'Today's not a good day for the group and it's not a good day in terms of what we wanted to achieve and very, very disappointed for the people of Donegal that it didn't work out. 'They were here in their droves today and didn't get the performance either, which is disappointing. "But, as I said earlier, we have to take that on the chin. I said to the players in the dressing room, it's not a game you should think about for a long time. Advertisement 'We didn't deserve to win the game. That's the reality of it. We didn't do enough to win the game. So, you have to let it slide. Sometimes you just have to let performance slide and this is one of them.'
Irish Examiner
16 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
It dawned on David Clifford that one All-Ireland wasn't enough
David Clifford admitted this was the first season when he realised one All-Ireland wasn't much to show for a man who made his senior debut in 2018. The two-time footballer of the year had been going season by season without giving himself the opportunity to reflect on his career, which had comprised four All-Ireland finals including a replay and just one victory. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Clifford said: 'It was probably the first year where I personally got a chance to take stock and you're looking back at it and you're kind of saying, 'Jesus, I've had six or seven great years with Kerry, but still we've only had one All-Ireland. It was the first year where I thought, 'Jesus, that's not enough.'' Like his manager Jack O'Connor and brother Paudie, Clifford had also been paying attention to how Kerry had been seen as a one-man team. If it put any pressure on him, he wasn't feeling it. If anything, he took motivation from those who were trying to soften him up. 'Look, to be honest, I think there's a bit of that coming from people that are building you up, hoping you'll fail. So that gives me a lot of motivation, to be honest. I'm not sure if a lot of it is sincere. Some of it is, of course, but I'm not sure if it all is. So it gives you a nice motivation too.' For the golden generation of All-Ireland winning minors including Clifford, Seán O'Shea, Diarmuid O'Connor, Graham O'Sullivan and Mike Breen, this latest All-Ireland victory will soften the coughs of those who claimed they had been underperforming at senior level. Clifford admits he asked himself the question if that defeat to Dublin would define this group under O'Connor. 'Look, obviously winning in '22 was sweet, but the years that followed it were tough both personally and as a team. 'The '23 final in particular, it didn't go well. Obviously, we led by three points twice in the second half and didn't get over the line and you're kind of saying, 'Are we going to be defined by that?' 'But thankfully we're not. We came back this year with a real kind of motivation. Obviously, we got knocked back in the Meath game, but we're massively proud of everyone, wow we rode in behind each other after that and look, it's unbelievably sweet now to win.'
Irish Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Donegal player ratings after slumping to All-Ireland defeat
Donegal's will have to wait at least another year to end their All-Ireland drought as they were outclassed by a clinical Kerry team on Sunday. The Kingdom, for the most part, dominated proceedings with a certain pair of brothers dictating proceedings. Most felt coming into this one was a coin toss and even though Donegal did saw patches of fightback, the day belonged to Kerry. Here is how Donegal rated. Donegal Player Ratings 1 Shaun Patton - 6 Kerry won plenty of Donegal kickouts though how much Patton is culpable is open to debate. Didn't cover himself in glory for the goal. 7 Caolan McColgan - 5 Dylan Geaney took him for scores while he spilled possession for David Clifford's first two-pointer, which had a profound effect on the game. 4 Peadar Mogan - 5 Struggled with Paudie Clifford, who ran the game for Kerry. Fouled him for Sean O'Shea's crucial second half two-pointer. 3 Brendan McCole - 6 Allowances must be made for a gargantuan task on David Clifford, but 0-9, plus a foul for a two-point free, was more than Donegal could afford. 6 Eoghan Ban Gallagher - 6 Was shifted out of centre-back to allow Finbarr Roarty to tackle Sean O'Shea and didn't make much of an imprint on the game. 2 Finnbarr Roarty - 5 Didn't come out the better of his duel with Sean O'Shea. Conceded a pointed free in 27th minute which broke his side's momentum. 5 Ryan McHugh - 6 Forced out of the game early in the first half through injury but hadn't been a big presence in the game prior to that. 20 Caolan McGonagle - 6 Dropped into starting team but didn't bring enough. Gave away possession for first half David Clifford point which pushed Kerry nine clear. 9 Michael Langan - 7 He's had a brilliant year and was one of Donegal's better performers, without quite being the force that he was all summer. 12 Ciarán Moore - 5 Like several Donegal players, just couldn't get himself into the game while his direct opponent Gavin White wreaked havoc. 11 Ciaran Thompson - 6 Not much to report for the big Naomh Conaill man, whose final came to a premature end but he won a converted free. 10 Shane O'Donnell - 7 Kicked his second point of the day in the 48th minute and was doing ok, but was replaced two minutes later for Paddy McBrearty. 13 Conor O'Donnell - 8 Was Donegal's top scorer from play prior to the final and embellished that status with another 0-4. Their top performer. 14 Michael Murphy - 7 Remains to be seen if, at nearly 36, he will be back but he contributed well, scoring 0-2 from play and being fouled for two more converted frees. 15 Oisín Gallen - 7 Was on 0-3 by the 22nd minute but didn't score thereafter, though he did lay one on for Murphy and won a converted free before being replaced. Subs: 25 Dara O Baoill for Thompson (23) - 6 Saw plenty of action but questionable decision-making at times. 8 Hugh McFadden for McColgan (HT) - 6 Dropped from the starting team but provided no great impact. 26 Jason McGee for McHugh (41) - 7 Got into the game, won a free which Michael Murphy pointed. 22 Paddy McBrearty for Conor O'Donnell (50) - 5 The captain couldn't provide the spark that Donegal needed. 23 Jamie Brennan for Gallagher (59) - 5 Poor attempt at a tackle for Joe O'Connor's goal.
