The late Private Seán Rooney has been remembered by his family, friends and Defence Forces colleagues at a soccer match in Dundalk today.
The Seán Rooney Memorial Cup was played at Oriel Park in the town.
Friends and members of Seán Rooney's family from Dundalk and Donegal took on a team of his former colleagues on a special army select team.
The event was held in advance of the first anniversary of his death next Thursday.
24-year-old Private Rooney was killed while on a UN Peacekeeping mission in Lebanon last December.
Private Rooney was shot when the armoured vehicle he was travelling in came under attack.
He grew up in Dundalk and was later part of the 27th Battalion based at Aiken Barracks in the town.
One of those on the pitch today was Seán's uncle, Eugene Rooney.
"We were more like brothers, there was only two years in the difference between us. We went to school together, joined the army together, done absolutely everything together. We'd see each other like brothers," he said.
Mr Rooney said the family thinks about Seán everyday.
"He had such an impact on every single one of us, we all love him and miss him dearly. We know he is with us in heart and spirit," he said.
Eugene Rooney said he only served at Aiken Barracks with Seán for a short time.
"It was an honour to call him my brother and my brother in arms."
He described today's event as "very special".
Christopher O'Neill is a childhood friend of Seán Rooney and is one of the organisers of today’s match.
He said the pair were very close all their lives.
"Me and Seán grew up together in Muirhevnamore. We went to the same primary school, we done everything together, went to the first disco together, first lads holiday," he said.
Mr O'Neill said the loss of his friend Seán had been devastating for their very tight knit group of young friends.
"Some stuff you can't put into words, but when you've events like this, it kind of helps take your mind off it and put it into something kind of positive," he said.
Despite the match being played at the home of Dundalk FC, his friends and family said Seán Rooney had actually been a Derry City fan.
"He was a Celtic and Real Madrid fan, that's why we decided to do the soccer match," said Christopher O'Neill.
It's now hoped the Seán Rooney memorial cup will be an annual event. The Army side were victorious in the inaugural match, with a 1-0 result.
A fundraiser event also took place in aid of the charity Rainbows Ireland. The charity supports children with bereavement and parental separation.
Christopher O'Neill said the charity was close to the family's heart and that Seán had availed of the service at a young age when his father passed away.
Former colleague Jackie Agnew was also playing today. He served with Private Rooney on the 27th Battalion before he was deployed overseas.
He said it was an honour to remember Seán today and bring people together for the event. He said people were only too happy to help out and remember Seán and "how good a guy he was".
"Playing a game of football to remember him in his hometown is huge," he said.
