A 14-YEAR-OLD girl from the Mid West region, who died after taking part in a so-called social media ‘chroming challenge’ was “a beacon of light” in an often turbulent world, her funeral heard.
Sarah Mescall, who was an avid camogie player and a second year pupil at Coláiste Muire in Ennis, County Clare, was laid to rest today (Friday) in a white coffin that was draped in her camogie jersey, in her native Kilnamona.
Her Inagh-Kilnamona camogie teammates, joined by the club’s hurling and football teams and Clare youth players, as well as students from Coláiste Muire, performed guards of honour along narrow roads leading to St Joseph’s Church in Kilnamona.
Bewildered and broken-hearted, the local community came to a standstill, in silent respect, joining several hundred mourners as Ms Mescall’s family shouldered her white coffin into the church.
“This is a big blow, there’s a cloud hanging over our parish these past few days, it’s a very heavy cloud,” offered parish priest Fr Martin Shanahan.
Friends left symbols by her coffin representing Ms Mescall’s love for her family and her pony ‘Gypsy’, her passion for her local camogie team, and her commitment to a wide circle of school friends.
Fr Shanahan said the large attendance at the funeral mass was a message to the Mescall family “that we are with you, every step of the way, to support and help you along this sad journey of life, which was so short for Sarah”.
“Sarah was a beacon of light in life’s storms, she fought the good fight, her race was short but she finished it,” Fr Shanahan added.
A reflection written by Sarah’s friends entitled ‘Memories of Sarah’ told of her tremendous friendship, her “great pride in her appearance”, and her excellent skills as a show-jumper and hurler.
“She adored the social side of school and quickly amassed a tribe of friends, and many were fortunate enough to call Sarah their friend.”
“She was loyal, she stood up for everyone, she was hilarious, and her constant smile was a source of joy for everyone that met her.”
Ms Mescall’s uncle, Oliver, thanked members of the emergency services and the doctors and nurses in University Hospital Limerick, Crumlin Children’s Hospital, and Temple Street, Dublin, “who worked so hard to give Sarah a chance”.
Paying tribute, he described his niece as “a happy girl who loved fun and great times”.
“Look, she was a cheeky little divil, in the nicest possible way, getting the fake tan done, it was as much for the camogie as for the discos, I think.”
“I’ll leave it at that and just say thanks to everyone, and that Sarah will always be with us.”
Ms Mescall’s remains were laid to rest in Kilnamona Cemetery.
She is survived by her parents Deirdre and Joe and siblings Emily and Jack.
