Alan Murphy is pictured with his son, AJ, at Anfield Stadium on February 6, where he laid a special memorial plaque to his late son, Jordan, outside the home ground of Liverpool FC.

Athlone IT student who died tragically to be 'Forever 19' in iconic Anfield

Geraldine Grennan

Published: Fri 18 Feb 2022, 5:42 PM

A young Tullamore man who died when he was struck by a van at Valleycourt, Athlone, in 2018 is to be immortalised at the iconic home of his beloved Liverpool FC next year.

Jordan Murphy, who was just 19 and a second year business student in Athlone IT when he was tragically killed, is to have a specially-engraved stone laid on the ‘Anfield Forever’ walkway which will form part of the planned expansion of Anfield Stadium.

The touching tribute, which will see the young Liverpool fan’s name become an everlasting part of the Liverpool FC story, was organised by his dad, Alan, who said the family is “absolutely delighted” to have been able to organise the memorial in honour of Jordan.

The memorial stones come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are available to purchase by Liverpool fans from across the globe.

Alan Murphy explained that he has been “trying to get his hands on one of them” since his son passed away in 2018, but was unable to finally secure one until this month.

“Jordan was just mad about Liverpool and we attended several games together, so I was really eager to get one of these memorial stones once I heard about them,” said Alan.

The poignant wording on Jordan’s memorial stone reads “Jordan Murphy, Offaly, Ireland, Forever 19.”

Alan Murphy travelled to a Liverpool game earlier this month with his young son, AJ, and they laid a special memorial plaque to Jordan outside Anfield Stadium.

A memorial plaque to the late Jordan Murphy which was placed at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool by his Dad, Alan, and brother, AJ, on February 6 last.

He is looking forward to seeing the memorial stone he has purchased for Jordan being installed at the Anfield Road end of the iconic Liverpool FC Stadium when the Anfield Road Stand extension is completed next year.

“We are not sure when the Stand will be completed, but that’s where Jordan’s memorial stone will be placed,” said his Dad

Alan Murphy said purchasing the memorial stone has helped him to cope with the grief of losing Jordan.

“You do what you have to do to cope in these situations,” he said, “and I know Jordan would be so proud to be part of the Liverpool FC story for ever more.”

Alan and Jordan’s extended family is currently organising the fourth annual Jordan Murphy Memorial Fundraiser, for a date in June or July.

Last year’s fundraising event raised in excess of €40,000 for Accessible Counselling Tullamore (ACT).