Tooreen prepares for the funeral of hurler Adrian Freeman

Tooreen/Aghamore communities in mourning as they  prepare for funeral of Adrian Freeman


Michael Commins

THE Tooreen and Aghamore communities are united in grief this week as they prepare to bid a sad farewell to local sports star Adrian Freeman who died in a road accident in Australia two weeks ago.
Tooreen Hurling Club, of which Adrian (24) was a leading light, are coordinating the special arrangements for the funeral ceremonies on Wednesday. It is expected that former Tooreen curate, Fr Paddy Sheridan, now based in Robeen and a native of Cavan, will be the chief celebrant at the Mass which gets underway in Tooreen Church at 2pm.
Adrian’s parents, Seamus and Ita, his sister Louise and brother Cathal, spent the past week in Australia while plans to fly the body of Adrian home to his native Mayo were put in place.
On arrival in Ballyhaunis on Sunday evening, the cortege was met by a guard of honour comprising of members of Ballyhaunis Hurling Club and GAA followers as well as locals and school pals of Adrian’s.
Outside Tooreen Church, many local people shed tears as the reality of the tragedy finally hit home. Young people and sporting colleagues wept openly, overcome by the poignancy of the occasion.
They accompanied the hearse to Cappagh crossroads outside the village where they left the last 300 yards of the sad journey to the family home to the immediate neighbours in Aghatharn and Kinneha.
People wishing to sympathise with the Freeman family can visit the family home today (Tuesday) from12 noon to 9pm. Removal will take place from the home at 1.30pm tomorrow. A guard of honour, led by members of Tooreen Hurling Club and Aghamore GAA football club, as well as members of other GAA clubs, county hurling colleagues, and friends and neighbours of Adrian’s, will accompany the cortege from Cappagh crossroads to the church.
Arrangements have been made for a PA system to relay the ceremony to the many people who will be unable to get seats in the church. Seating will be provided outside the church as well. At the conclusion of the Mass, the funeral will take place to Aghamore cemetery.