The Ireland Under-20 rugby team will wear black armbands for their match in South Africa today as a mark of respect to the two teenagers who died on holiday in Greece.
It comes as head coach Richie Murphy spoke of the devastation felt by the squad following the deaths of Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall, both aged 18, on the Greek Island of Ios.
He said those in his team who knew the two teenagers are in shock.
The young men were both former students at St Michael’s College in Dublin, where six players on Murphy’s team attended.
Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall were with a larger group from the Ballsbridge secondary school celebrating completion of their Leaving Cert exams.
It has been reported that Andrew's body was found by police on Sunday at around 9.20am on rocks in a field outside the island’s main town of Hora.
He had reported missing by a friend, after they are understood to have become separated on their way back to their accommodation after socialising in Hora.
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It is believed he may have suffered a fall.
Max, who is understood to have had a history of heart problems, is believed to have collapsed near the island's port that afternoon after hearing about the death of his friend.
Post mortems are due to be carried out today.
Today the Under-20 squad will wear black armbands in their World Rugby Under-20s Championship game against Fiji as a mark of respect to the late teenagers.
"It’s a really tough time," said Murphy.
"Obviously, we are massively devastated to hear of the passing of Max Wall and Andrew O’Donnell, two boys from St Michael’s.
“We have a number of St Michael’s guys here in the squad who know them well, and as a father of kids around that age and as an Irishman, I feel totally devastated for them, and we’d like to offer our condolences to the Wall and O’Donnell families.
Ireland U20s Head Coach Richie Murphy opened today's Media Conference by extending the sympathies of the entire squad to the friends and families of Andrew O'Donnell and Max Wall.
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 3, 2023
They are in the thoughts and prayers of everyone in Irish Rugby at this incredibly sad time. pic.twitter.com/Lh5QfUQZOv
“I think the guys are definitely in a little bit of shock.
"Devastated, obviously, at what’s happened. I think that’s through the whole squad.
"Obviously these guys know the young boys a lot better than some of the other members.
“Everyone is in the same sort of position where it’s shock.
“We’ve our doctor on hand, he’s looking after the guys.
"We’ve had a number of conversations with a couple of them, and the guys were obviously very upset (on Sunday), but definitely feeling a little bit better (on Monday) and (have) not come to terms with it but clarified what’s happening in their heads.”
The squad was struck by another tragedy when Munster Rugby coach Greig Oliver (58), who was in South Africa supporting his son Jack, passed away following a paragliding accident there.
Munster Rugby's Greig Oliver dies in paragliding accident in South Africa
His son was listed as a replacement for Tuesday’s game before the news emerged.
Oliver, a former Scotland international, played in two Rugby World Cups for Scotland.
Following retirement, he held academy management and coaching roles with Scottish Borders and Edinburgh before moving to Ireland with his family in 2007.
In 2011, Oliver assumed the role of elite player development officer with the Munster Rugby Academy.
Shocked & deeply saddened by the sudden passing of our close friend & colleague Greig Oliver.
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) July 3, 2023
Our immediate thoughts are with Greig's wife Fiona, children Jack & Ciara, & the wider Oliver family.
May he rest in peace
Munster Rugby CEO, Ian Flanagan, said: “On behalf of Munster Rugby, I would like to express our deepest sympathies to Greig’s wife Fiona, son Jack, daughter Ciara, and the wider Oliver family.
“We are all in a state of shock following Greig’s tragic passing.
“He was a great colleague and friend to so many and will be dearly missed across the Munster and Irish Rugby community.
"Greig made his presence felt each day, he was always there to provide a helping hand and was a hugely popular character with his light-hearted nature and sense of humour.
“He had an infectious enthusiasm for the game and was incredibly passionate about helping young players be the best they can be on and off the field.”
