ULSTER Rugby has paid an emotional tribute to a teenage victim of the 2022 Creeslough blast by renaming a trophy in her honour.

The sporting body said the Ulster Girls’ Youth U-14 trophy is to be named after 14-year-old Leona Harper.

Leona was one of the victims who died when a suspected gas explosion caused the collapse of a commercial and apartment complex in the west Donegal village in October 2022. Ten people, including three children, died in the tragedy. Leona was the last victim to be recovered from the rubble the day after the explosion.

A keen rugby player, Leona played for Letterkenny Rugby Club. In a touching tribute to the teenager, Ulster Rugby’s Paula Stewart and Mollie Davies traveled to Letterkenny this week to unveil the new Leona Harper Cup and meet her family.

Letterkenny RFC girls’ youth coach Colin Farrell said the renaming of the competition meant a lot to the community in the town.

Mr Farrell, who coached Leona, said: “It’s very important. When Leona died, her family took great strength from being part of a club team.

“That closeness and that friendship, they got some strength out of that during a very difficult time. Having the cup named after Leona is a wonderful gesture for the family.”

Leona was “still very much talked about” by her teammates. As new generations joined Letterkenny Rugby Club, they would be told about the teenager, Mr Farrell said. He said future generations will be told about Leona’s story.

The Creeslough families are calling for an independent inquiry into what happened. Following a meeting with the Republic’s justice minister last month, the families said serious questions remained about the blast.

A separate Gardai investigation is continuing with the intention of making a case to the Director of Public Prosecutions.