Clare teenager Sarah Mescall has been remembered as "a happy girl" and a "cheeky devil in the nicest possible way" at her funeral Mass in Kilnamona, Co Clare.
Speaking on behalf of the Mescall family, her uncle, Oliver Mescall, told mourners "Sarah will always be with us".
Earlier, Fr Martin Shanahan told the congregation and hundreds more watching via a live stream in a nearby community centre that "a very heavy cloud has been hanging over our parish" following Sarah’s death on Monday after "a very short life".
Oliver Mescall paid tribute to the emergency services along with medical staff at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), Temple Street Children’s Hospital and Crumlin Children’s Hospital for "giving Sarah a chance".
At the Church, Sarah’s friends embraced each other and wept as they listened to warm tributes for the 14-year-old.
On behalf of Clarecastle GAA, Camogie & Ladies Football Club, we wish to express our deepest condolences to the Mescall & Power families and everyone in @IKOT2020 on the tragic passing of Sarah. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
AdvertisementRest in Peace🙏 pic.twitter.com/hsNWHla6QV
— Clarecastle GAA, Camogie & LGFA (@ClarecastleGAA) September 27, 2023
Fr Shanahan told mourners that Sarah’s friends had come together to share their memories of Sarah, a number of which he read aloud.
Sarah’s friends said "many were fortunate enough to call Sarah their friend".
"She was loyal, she stood for everyone. She was hilarious, and her constant smile was a source of joy for everyone who met her."
One described Sarah as "a tremendous friend", and recalled that "from an early age, Sarah was popular with the boys and had her first marriage proposal in 1st class, which was firmly rejected much to the disappointment of her love-struck class mate".
One friend said "Sarah found happiness in her love of horses, and she was an excellent show jumper", while another said that "GAA was a huge part of Sarah’s life and a great source of pride to Sarah".
Some of the gifts offered to symbolise Sarah’s life included her riding helmet, her fake tan and make-up, her camogie helmet and family pictures "which speak for themselves".
In his remarks at the end, Oliver Mescall said the support for the family from Inagh-Kilnamona Camogie Club has been "unbelievable".
He added: "We understand they are suffering along with us and it makes us very special to be part of such a community."
Mr Mescall said that Sarah "got huge joy from playing camogie and being part of the group and the whole scene".
He said that the most fun for Sarah "was going for a ride on her pony, Gypsy".
"She did it with one hand on the reins and another on the phone, I don’t know how she did it and she enjoyed it. They had great times together".
Cheeky devil
Mr Mescall said that Sarah loved going to the Queens teenage disco in Ennis with her friends and hanging around with the girls.
He said: "Great times. She was a cheeky devil in the nicest possible way - getting the tan done was as much for the camogie as the Queens disco I think."
He added: "Our neighbours and friends - we can never say enough - the support, the help over the last few days has been unbelievable."
Sarah is survived by parents, Joe and Deirdre, brother, Jack and sister, Emily.
After her funeral Mass, Sarah was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
Gardaí are investigating if Sarah may have died after taking part in a viral social media challenge and a file is being prepared for the Coroner.
In a statement this week, TikTok said content such as the 'aerosol challenge' are prohibited on its platform and would be removed if found. A TikTok spokesperson added the challenge is "not a TikTok trend".
