THERE were emotional scenes in Warwickshire last night, as James Connolly’s GAA team took to the field without tragic Joel Richards for the first time.
The talented 19-year-old was killed in last week’s shooting in Tunisia, along with his grandfather and his uncle.
Last night marked the first time his teammates would play without him – and his death was mourned in a minute’s silence taken by both Connolly’s player and their opponents John Mitchels before throw in.
Standing in solidarity with their arms around each other’s shoulders, Joel’s fellow GAA players mourned the loss of one of their own.
Despite not even a week passing since Joel’s death, the club members were confident that the University of Worcester student would want them to push ahead with the quarter final.
“We had a game on the Sunday after he died and I wanted to call it off but the players said to me that’s not what Joel would’ve wanted,” club president Tony Donahoe said.
That game was ultimately called off by the other team – making last night their first game without the teenager.
See pictures below from the James Connolly’s GAA tribute
Pictures via James Connolly's GFC Facebook
See More: Featured, Joel Richards, Tunisia
