The sporting world will remember December 18, 2022, for a thrilling World Cup final as Argentina edged out France in an epic encounter. But for the McNally family in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, that evening brought the worst news imaginable.
Natalie McNally, 32, was stabbed to death in her home in County Armagh town. She was 15 weeks pregnant with a baby boy.
Police investigating the murder have made several arrests, but nobody has been charged. Detectives have released CCTV footage of a suspect seen walking towards Ms McNally's home on the night she was killed.
For those directly affected by horrendous incidents of this nature, everything is placed into perspective. At times, nothing else can carry the same importance or significance as it previously did but conversely, the simplest gestures of support and solidarity provide solace, comfort and support when it matters the most.
Natalie McNally and her dad Noel frequently travelled to Goodison Park (Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)But as the great Arrigo Sacchi once said, football is the most important of the least important things, and it is in times of great adversity that the power of sport and its communities becomes clear. Sport has rallied around the McNally family to not only provide support but to raise awareness and strengthen their push for justice.
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Natalie was a huge fan of Everton and accompanied her family on their multiple trips to Goodison Park throughout the season. Ahead of the Merseyside club's recent Premier League home clash against Southampton, a photo of Natalie standing with father Noel at the stadium alongside was displayed on Goodison's big screen. "May she rest in peace," the message read.
Natalie's brother Niall, also a lifelong Evertonian, explained to Mirror Football: "My cousin was in touch with Everton initially and the club then reached out to me. The Southampton match was the first opportunity they had to publicise the message.
Everton displayed the message ahead of their recent home clash vs Southampton (Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)"It was so lovely to receive all the messages of support that we did, not only from Everton as a club but all the fan groups – and those of Southampton too. Supporters who saw that took the time to offer their support and that matters.
"We always try to get over to as many Everton games as possible as a family, we usually get going a few times over the course of a season. The trips are always something to look forward to, we would make the most of it by spending a few days there around the game.
"The club have said they would bring two of us over for a game and take care of us, which is likely to be in the second half of next month or in early March. There are a few possibilities – either the Leeds, Aston Villa or Brentford game.
Niall McNally, brother of the late Natalie, has praised the role of sporting clubs (Supplied)"There is always a big crowd of us who are wanting to go over and it will be the same this time, our family and extended family will likely be going."
For the McNally family, no Everton star is held in quite the same regard as the club's long-serving right-back and club captain Seamus Coleman. The Donegal native has gone above and beyond to show his support.
"Seamus has said he wanted to meet us personally and that is something that really means a lot," explained Niall. "My dad is 67 and he has always said that Seamus is his favourite player from all that time.
"He has supported the club his entire life and has enjoyed those great Everton teams with the likes of Bob Latchford, Kevin Sheedy, Peter Reid and Neville Southall starring for years but Seamus has been his favourite – even though he has not been involved in any trophy-winning teams.
Seamus Coleman is Noel McNally's favourite Everton star (Getty)"The fact he has been there for 13 or 14 years, through good times and challenging ones, he has been consistent through that and we have had a massive soft spot for him.”
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Coleman's gesture comes a matter of months after a near-chance meeting with the family.
"We are big Armagh GAA fans and last year they were playing Donegal at Clones," added Niall. "Our family had all travelled down for the game. It was being shown on TV, and we got a text to say that Seamus was at the game, cheering on Donegal.
"Armagh won the game and there was a big pitch invasion at the end from the fans, but we were not interested in that – we all ran the other way to see if we could get a chance to see Seamus. But he must have made an early exit that day!"
Image of the late Natalie McNally (Far Left), with mum and brother, Niall (Supplied)Gaelic games play a significant role in the wider community around Armagh, and the county's team, like Everton, reached out to the McNally family.
"Armagh have invited us to a game next week and are in talks about what they can do for us," Niall explained. "They have a big screen there too so there’s an opportunity for a message to appear.
"We are huge sports fans, if there is anything on TV or that we can go to watch then we will. Whether its football, GAA, cricket, darts or rugby – we love everything. Armagh have also reached out to Ulster Rugby and the Belfast Giants ice hockey team. Those gestures mean a lot to us.
"Those sports teams all coming together and reaching out, via clubs, supporters groups and everything else – it is something that we all appreciate a lot."
Natalie McNally was 15 weeks pregnant when she was killed (Police handout)As is common across Northern Ireland, many football supporters combine their fandom of an English club with the support of an Irish League club. Top-flight club Glenavon, whose hometown of Lurgan is where Natalie was murdered, have added weight to her family's search for justice.
"They reached out to us and that meant so much too," Niall adds. "My dad has been a fan of the club since he was 16 and they invited us to the director’s box for last week’s game at home to Cliftonville. We were in the boardroom and they had prepared a speech for us at half time, with both clubs involved and that was brilliant."
Niall believes that sport can continue to provide an element of escapism for his family as they continue to grieve and come to terms with their loss.
"Football and sport in general can definitely act as a distraction, it allows you some time not to be worrying or thinking about things you don’t want to," Niall said.
"Sport and clubs really can be very important at times like this. Whether it is Everton, Glenavon or Armagh GAA – they have communities and they can rally around in difficult times. We cannot thank the clubs enough."
A £20,000 reward is being offered by the Crimestoppers charity for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Natalie's killer. On Saturday, more than 1,000 people gathered in Lurgan for a rally in memory of the 32-year-old, as police renew their appeal for information into her murder.
* Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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