Aoife Lennon: Tributes paid to GAA ‘trailblazer’ and All-Ireland winner after death in tragic accident

Aoife Lennon also served as an Ulster GAA coach and visited many primary schools across Armagh, teaching the fundamentals of Gaelic Games

14:50, 12 Sep 2025

Ladies Gaelic Football Association President Trina Murray has led the tributes to a former Armagh All-Ireland champion who tragically lost her life in a road traffic accident on Wednesday[1].

Aoife Lennon, 38, was part of the Armagh[2] squad that won the Ulster Junior title in 2004, before she captured a TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship medal in 2005. Lennon also won an Armagh Junior Championship with her club, Derrynoose.

She was driving when her car collided with a lorry on the N2 in Castleshane, Co Monaghan[3] around 2.45pm on Wednesday, September 10.

Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Aoife, a resident of Derrynoose, Co Armagh[4] and wife of a local Garda officer, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.

No other injuries were reported.

Aoife also served as an Ulster GAA coach and she visited many primary schools across Armagh, teaching the fundamentals of Gaelic Games.

"News of Aoife's passing has come as a huge shock to all of us at the Ladies Gaelic Football Association.

"We watched Aoife wearing the colours of Derrynoose and Armagh with distinction for many years and she was a truly wonderful footballer," said LGFA President, Trina Murray said.

"In a coaching capacity, Aoife also displayed exemplary skills and she touched the lives of many young people with her abilities in that regard, as well as serving as a much-loved and admired role model with her prowess on the field of play.

"An extremely warm and caring person, Aoife has left a long-lasting legacy and her life has sadly been cut short far too soon.

"On behalf of all of us at the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, I wish to extend our sympathies to Aoife's wife, Karen, all family members and her wide circle of friends.

"Aoife was a trailblazer whose passing will leave a huge void in the lives of so many people. Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam dilis."

Lennon was a member of the Derrynoose GAA club and they shared their tribute online.

"The members of Derrynoose GAC deeply regret the death of former player Aoife Lennon who has tragically passed away on Wednesday 10th September," said a post on social media.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Aoife's wife Karen, her mum & dad Seamus and Adele, her brothers Patrick & Sean (Senior player), sisters in law Michelle and Michaella(Committee Members) her nephew Jamie, her nieces Grace & Lila (underage players) and to her wider family circle."

Lennon worked with Ulster GAA and they said: "It is with deep sadness that Ulster GAA mourns the tragic passing of our former colleague, Aoife Lennon. Aoife was a valued member of the Ulster GAA team as a Key Stage 1 Coach on our DENI Programme from 2007 - 2018.

"We offer our deepest condolences to her wife Karen, parents Seamus & Adele, brothers Patrick & Sean and the wider Lennon family.

We remember Aoife's friends and former teammates of Derrynoose GAC[5] and Armagh LGFA[6], and all the schools and clubs she coached at."

A funeral notice described Lennon as a "devoted wife of Karen and dearly beloved daughter of Seamus (Jamie) and Adele, cherished sister of Patrick (Michelle) and Sean (Micheala).

Dear daughter in law of Ann and Kevin."

Her funeral will take place on Thursday at St Mochua's Church Derrynoose at 2pm.

References

1. ^ tragically lost her life in a road traffic accident on Wednesday (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
2. ^ Armagh (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
3. ^ Castleshane, Co Monaghan (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
4. ^ Co Armagh (www.belfastlive.co.uk)
5. ^ Derrynoose GAC (www.facebook.com)
6. ^ Armagh LGFA (www.facebook.com)