Souths star Tyrone Munro makes big NRL call amid heartbreaking family development
Munro has decided to play against Penrith just days after the sudden passing of his mother.
𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱/𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻.
Rising Rabbitohs star Tyrone Munro has made the courageous and selfless decision to play this weekend against Penrith just days after the sudden loss of his mother, Kirawhan Fernando. The 19-year-old winger was defiant in his decision to play on Friday night despite grieving the passing of his mother.
Fernando is survived by her four sons, with Tyrone being the eldest. The Rabbitohs said they were supporting their player through this difficult period and ultimately the choice of whether or not to play comes down to the player.
Munro took to Instagram to share of his heartbreak on Thursday writing: "Losing a mother is a pain that cannot be described in words. It is virtually impossible to move on from the memory of losing the woman who sacrificed happiness in her own life so that you could have a better one".
"A mother's love is truly irreplaceable. Love you mum ... Me and my brothers never thought this day would come. Beautiful Angel mum was always trying to help everyone and make sure everyone was okay. If anyone knew my mum they knew that she would take her clothes off her back for anyone that she loved and she loved her family so much.
"My house was open all the time to anyone in my community and sometimes I would get angry with Mum because my Little cousins was stealing my clothes and my aunties but mum wouldn't tell me, she just acted like she she didn't know because she just loved her family. I remember I carried on for a pair of shoes and Mum wouldn't buy for me and she said to me, 'Son, nothing is ever gonna be given to you in this world. If you want something, you have to work for it and earn it,' and that's what she instilled in me.
"And that stuff I carried me every day. I'll never forget those moments and this list could go on and on. She was my rock, my heart, and my soul and mind and everything. Until we meet again mama."
Souths and NRL world rally around Tyrone Munro
The post was met with a chorus of support from friends, family and the NRL world. Cody Walker wrote: "Love ya my little brother. Big love to your little brothers and the rest of the family. Souths hooker Damien Cook commented, "We are all here for you, love you lad", while Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray added: "Sending love and strength my brother, love you".
The Rabbitohs will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to Munro and his three brothers against the Panthers on Friday night. “The South Sydney Rabbitohs are supporting the family and friends of Kirawhan Fernando, the mother of Tyrone Munro, who passed away yesterday,’’ a Rabbitohs statement read.
“Kirawhan is survived by her four sons, including her eldest son Tyrone, who has bravely decided to play in tomorrow night’s game against Penrith in his mother’s honour. The Rabbitohs will wear black armbands to commemorate Kirawhan's life and have offered Tyrone the club’s full support and his immediate family at what is a very difficult time for them all.’’
