Siobhan Cattigan Rugby writers and broadcasters paid tribute to Siobhan Cattigan on Sunday, with one Scottish rugby star saying she will “be sadly missed”.
By Georgina. Gross Monday, 6th November 2020, 7:00 am
Siobhan Cattigan died on Saturday (Credit: Stirling County)
The 23-year-old from Linyard-on-Tees, who died after “entering cardiac arrest”, was a well-loved member of the Stirling County rugby and women’s teams, and has been remembered as “an adored member of the Stirling community”.
The Stirling County Rugby Club said: “The family of Siobhan Cattigan, who sadly passed away on Saturday, would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and condolences. We ask that, as in all circumstances, you avoid commenting on this and the family has requested that we do not issue statements on social media at this time.
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“An idolized member of the Stirling community, we have a tendency to area unit saddened to listen to of the passing of Siobhan. she is going to be sadly incomprehensible.” She will be sadly missed.”
A Scottish Rugby spokesman added: “Scotland Rugby is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Siobhan Cattigan. On behalf of Scottish Rugby, I would like to thank the family for their kind words, wishing them strength and comfort as they grieve.
Scotland's former head coach Richie Readler tweeted: “Very sad to hear of Siobhan's passing. She was an incredibly kind and gentle person who treated everyone she met with warmth, kindness, and love.”
Cattigan, who won 14 caps for Scotland and scored three tries, enjoyed a stellar career with Stirling County – having spent five years at the club.
Barrie Miller, former chief executive of the club said: “The thoughts of the entire team are with Siobhan’s family.
“She will be sorely missed by the team and her ex-coach, Mike Ribbins, who will fondly remember Siobhan as a player and a player’s coach.
“She worked hard to meet and exceed the club’s expectations of a player and played the game with a passion and determination as only she could.
“I am not sure that either of us could have done anything to ensure her health. She was a fine rugby player and many people enjoyed watching her. Siobhan was proud of her heritage, her father’s Scottish heritage, her father’s interest in rugby, and her mother’s support for the club. I sincerely hope she is there for them through this difficult time.”
The former England and Scotland prop, on a brief visit to Stirling County in March, was also a keen supporter of their women’s rugby side, whose matches he was following on Facebook, the former England hooker posting photographs on social media, with the caption “must say he will be missed”.
Young rugby, on the Murray Cup project, which is spearheaded by Chris Joiner, tweeted: “It saddens me to hear of Siobhan Cattigan’s passing. Heard she lived locally and was a regular at the Stirling County player's golf tournament every year. Thought Siobhan was an incredible Welsh export! RIP Siobhan.”
Former England coach Eddie Jones said: “Gutted to hear of Siobhan Cattigan’s passing. Lost as he was when he learned she passed away. Everyone at England Rugby sends their thoughts and prayers to her family and friends.”
Clive Woodward, Rugby Football Union director of performance, said: ““We are saddened to hear of Siobhan’s passing. They are a hugely talented young player who was a solid performer for Stirling College and Stirling County as well as touring Scotland in 2017. Thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.”
Her Stirling County team-mate Peter Lepilo said: “My first contact with Siobhan was when I was training with Scotland at the age of eight. She was a true Welsh girl who was truly excited to be traveling with the national team to Japan in 2017.”
An MRI scan taken at Wellington Hospital on Tuesday morning found she had died. A Scottish Rugby spokesman said: “The family of Siobhan Cattigan, who sadly passed away on Saturday, would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and condolences.
