Jonah Lomu: 1975-2015
Irish kids pay tribute to Lomu with Gaelic haka
ESPN Staff
December 2, 2015

The popularity of Jonah Lomu, and the global reach of his fame and charisma, have been shown once more in regional Ireland.

Tahy, in County Kildare, 72 kilometres southwest of Dublin, first achieved a level of sporting fame in July 1903, when the 84km Gordon Bennett Cup ran through the town as the first international motor race held in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; that race was otherwise marked by the debut of the famous colour British Racing Green.

All Blacks greats perform emotional haka at Lomu memorial
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Players/Officials: Jonah Lomu

Step forward 112 years, and Tahy again finds itself front and centre - thanks to the students of "Mr. O'Sullivan's 5th & 6th class" at Bilberry National School, who performed a haka in tribute to Jonah Loma as the All Blacks rugby legend was farewelled at a private funeral in Auckland.

A student introduced the haka by saying "an haca Gaelach ar son Jonah Lomu" - "the Haka in Gaelic for Jonah Lomu" - before the schoolchildren perform their tribute.

Lomu died in Auckland after returning from the Rugby World Cup via Dubai, with his medic, Dr John Mayhew, saying "the most likely cause was a clot on the lung which can be a complication of long-distance travel".

Dr Mayhew said that Lomu was at greater risk of such complication because of his long-standing chronic kidney condition.

Lomu was subject of an Pacific "Aho Faka Famili" celebration of his life in South Auckland on Saturday before an emotional public farewell at Eden Park on Monday.

Lomu was buried on Tuesday after a private ceremony at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsin Mangere.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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