'A terrible tragedy' - Tributes paid to soccer star teen who died during match

Izzy Dezu was playing for the under-16 Shelbourne FC in a league decider against Saint Kevin’s Boys FC when he collapsed.

The game at the Athletic Union League (AUL) complex in Clonshaugh was in the second half when the young player collapsed on the pitch.

The game was abandoned as emergency services were alerted. Paramedics from Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) worked on the youth for some time before he was brought by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital.

He was later pronounced dead.

President Michael D Higgins paid tribute to the young soccer star, saying today; "It is with great sadness that I have heard of the death of Izzy Dezu, a brilliant young member of Shelbourne F.C.’s Under 16 Academy.

"To his family, fellow players, friends and to Shelbourne F.C. I offer my sympathy at their tragic loss."

A Shelbourne FC spokesman said today: “We are heartbroken to have to confirm the news that our Academy U16 player, Izzy Dezu, collapsed and died during a match at the AUL Complex last night.

“The thoughts of everyone at Shelbourne FC are with his family, friends, teammates and coaches who have been devastated by this tragic loss.  May he rest in peace.”

The FAI also paid tribute to the youngster, saying in a statement today; "The Football Association of Ireland expresses its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Shelbourne Under 16 player Izzy Dezu, who passed away suddenly during a DDSL match against St Kevin’s Boys last night, at the AUL Complex in Dublin.

"The striker had been in fantastic form for Shelbourne this season and was widely regarded as one of the most promising players at this age level in the country."

FAI CEO John Delaney paid tribute to Izzy and passed on his condolences to the Dezu family and to Shelbourne FC. He said: "Everyone involved in Irish football is deeply saddened by the loss of Izzy Dezu at such a young age, particularly in these tragic circumstances.

“On behalf of the FAI Board and everyone in the Association, I would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Izzy's family, friends, team mates and his club, Shelbourne FC. We will pay a special tribute to Izzy at the next Senior Men’s home international at the Aviva Stadium in 2018."

Izzy was a leading player in the Dublin and District Schoolboys League U-16 Premier.

A source last night told Independent.ie that the teenager collapsed on the field with "nobody around him".

"It doesn't seem that anyone ran into him or collided with him, he just fell to the floor. It is absolutely awful," a source said.

"The people who responded worked on him, they were brilliant in fairness, and they were doing their best. They were working on him on the pitch and then brought him to hospital," an eyewitness said.

Brendan Bermingham, secretary of St Kevin’s Club, said today “It’s absolutely devastating. It just doesn’t make sense. It’s a terrible tragedy.

“Everyone at Saint Kevin’s want to extend our deepest sympathy to his family and to his friends and teammates and all the Shelbourne family. It is extremely sad,” he said.

Paddy Dempsey, chairman of the Dublin and District Schoolboy’s League, said today: “It’s a shock for the whole league that a person so young could die in such tragic circumstances. He had gone out to play a sport that he loved playing and end up not going home.  It’s just devastating.

“On behalf of the whole league, I would like to offer condolences to his family and to his football family as well. We also feel for the players and the match officials last night.

“We would like to thank the emergency services for all they have done trying to help Izzy,” he said.

A post on Shelbourne FC's Facebook page prior to the game described the highly anticipated clash as a "winner-takes-all" league decider.

Friends of Izzy were paying tribute to the player on social media. One young Dublin  man said that Izzy was “a big friendly  giant” and a “very special.”

“You had a heart of gold man and everyone loved you for that,” he stated.

The AUL sports complex is located on Clonshaugh Road, Dublin 17, and plays host to a number of separate league fixtures.

The game last night between the two underage teams was the last competitive match of the season before they started their winter break.

It was also due to be the St Kevin's Boys team's last game together as a team, according to the club.

It is understood that the game was due to take place last week, but was rescheduled due to a bereavement.