Northern Ireland

GAA fans honour Natalie McNally with tribute to murdered Co Armagh woman

SOLIDARITY: Fans applaud and hold pictures of murder victim Natalie McNally in a tribute to the 32-year-old during the 32nd minute of yesterday’s Allianz Football League match between Armagh and Mayo at the Box-It Athletic Grounds               PICTURE: John Merry
SOLIDARITY: Fans applaud and hold pictures of murder victim Natalie McNally in a tribute to the 32-year-old during the 32nd minute of yesterday’s Allianz Football League match between Armagh and Mayo at the Box-It Athletic Grounds PICTURE: John Merry

GAA fans have paid tribute to Natalie McNally at Sunday's Armagh vs Mayo football clash, with a round of applause breaking out at the 32nd minute to remember the murder victim.

The family of Ms McNally (32), who was stabbed to death in her Lurgan home in December, were invited to attend Sunday's match at Armagh's Box-It Athletic Grounds.

The invite to the Allianz League Division One clash was made by the Armagh County Board, in honour of Ms McNally, who along with her loved ones was a staunch Armagh supporter.

An image of Ms McNally, who was 15-week's pregnant at the time of her killing, was shown on screens at the stadium during the game, along with the number for the Crimestoppers charity.

Applause broke out at the 32nd minute of the match as a mark of respect for Ms McNally.

Ahead of Sunday's game, the McNally family, including Natalie's parents Noel and Bernie and her brothers Niall and Brendan, posed with a banner featuring Natalie's image on a backdrop of Armagh colours.

Others in the image held banners with the slogan 'Justice for Natalie', while Niall posted the image to Twitter alongside the hashtag #EndViolenceAgainstWomen.

Niall McNally told the Irish News last week that the banner and campaign were to honour his sister's own activism, which included seeking to highlight the threat of male violence faced by women.

"I think she would be proud of us for carrying on this message so it’s about keeping the word out there and helping to put an end to this," he said.

Following the game, Niall said in a post the match was an "amazing, special and emotional day" for his family.

Last month also saw a tribute to Natalie at the home of Premier League soccer club Everton F.C.

Sports fan Natalie had previously travelled with her dad to Liverpool's Goodiston Park to watch matches, and the tribute, featuring an image of Noel and his daughter in Everton's traditional blue colours displayed during a match against Southampton.

A 32-year-old man has been charged with murdering Ms McNally at her home in Lurgan's Silverwood Green on December 18.

Stephen McCullagh was remanded in custody following last Thursday's hearing at Lisburn Magistrates' Court.