The 16-year-old was a midfielder for Belvedere and was playing in a league match against rivals St Kevin’s Boys when tragedy struck at around 1.30pm
Popular Shetemi Ayetigbo played for North Dublin side Belvedere Football Club.
The 16-year-old was a midfielder for their U16 premier team and was playing in a league match against rivals St Kevin’s Boys when tragedy struck at around 1.30pm.
Despite desperate attempts to resuscitate Shetemi at the St Kevin’s Boys Football grounds on Shanowen Road, in Santry, he died at the scene.
A shocked witness told the Irish Daily Mirror: “There was no incident, any attack. The young lad was playing, and he just dropped on the pitch.
“It was around 25 to 30 minutes into the game.
“A number of people rushed to his side straight away to give him first aid, as there was a defibrillator at the grounds.
“An ambulance came, and paramedics tried to treat him there. But he couldn’t be saved.
“They then took his body to the hospital. The match was cancelled. Everyone was in shock.
“The young players, staff, and supporters had never witnessed anything like that on a football pitch.
“There were a good few people watching the match because it was the last game of the season.”
It is understood Shetemi’s family was not present at the game.
Friends of the family accompanied the ambulance to Beaumont Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The cause of death has not been confirmed yet and a postmortem was due to take place last night.
It is understood that Shetemi may have suffered from a form of the sudden death syndrome.
Tributes poured in yesterday for the “very well-liked” teen, who attended Donabate Community College.
Shetemi, who was known as ‘Shay’ to friends, was extremely passionate about football and sports in general and one of his dreams was to one day “jump out of a plane”.
Shetemi’s heartbroken friends took to Facebook yesterday to express their grief.
Jackson Tola wrote: “Just after hearing what happened. Passed away while playing the sport you loved. Can’t believe it man you had such a bright future. My heart goes out to you and your family.
“Miss & Love you brother.”
Gabriel Okuribido: “RIP Shetemi. Know you like two years now, you were sick at football. Hope you have a great send off, I’ll definitely be going. Miss you bro.”
Andrew Finni added: “Imagine a man died playing the sport he loved and he was our age.
“That actually shows you can lose your life at anytime, value your life, family and friends while they’re still here cause we’re not going to be here forever.
“[It] doesn’t give you an excuse to go out and do every drug you can get and head to all the sessions you hear of, means nothing on your deathbed because if a healthy athlete died, doesn’t mean you can’t lose your life either.”
William Sexton put up a photo of his friend and wrote: “Haven’t been in so much shock in my life. Was only talking to you on Friday before I got on the bus, such a good mate, could trust you with everything, school and the summer will never be the same without you, [you] will always be in my heart rest in peace brother.”
Belvedere Football Club said they are “mourning” his death.
His football club said in a statement on their page: “Belvedere Football Club is mourning the death of one of our U16 players who tragically collapsed while playing for the club [yesterday].
“While all of our members are in deep shock, our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this tragic time.
“We ask that the privacy of the family be respected as the club supports them in grieving their boy.”
The club confirmed it would support Shetemi’s fellow “U16 players, coaches and parents who are devastated at the loss of a very popular team-mate”.
St Kevin’s Boys Club said that the football community and all who were present at the match are in “deep shock at this tragedy.”
The club issued a statement which read: “We extend our deepest sympathy to his family, friends, team mates and the Belvedere Club at this awful time and ask that the privacy of those involved be respected. Rest in peace.”
Shetemi’s relatives were last night being comforted by close friends. It is believed that while the young man grew up in Fingal, his parents are originally from Nigeria.
Before playing for Belvedere FC, the teen had also been a member of his school team and once played for rivals Home Farm FC.
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