Adrian Freeman laid to rest in Tooreen

Adrian Freeman laid to rest in Tooreen


Mike Finnerty
Tooreen

There were emotional scenes in the picturesque village of Tooreen yesterday (Wednesday) as the funeral took place of Adrian Freeman, the 24 years-old former footballer and hurler who died in a road traffic accident in Australia on May 29.
The flags of Aghamore, Tooreen, Mayo and Ireland flew at half-mast close to the packed local church as the large congregation, many of whom sat and stood outside in the hazy sunshine, listened to Adrian’s funeral mass being celebrated via loudspeakers.
Among the mourners were club footballers and hurlers from all across the county, as well as Mayo GAA secretary Sean Feeney, Connacht GAA Council secretary John Prenty, Mayo footballers Aidan O’Shea and Conor Mortimer, and former Mayo hurling manager Martin Brennan, and coach, Pete Finnerty.
The concelebrated mass also featured a contribution by Adrian’s brother, Cathal, who spoke with great pride about his relationship with ‘Twink’ (as Adrian was affectionately known) who he described as a “gentleman”.
“Adrian’s death should be a reminder to all of us that life is for living,” said Cathal, who also recalled an Aghamore team-mate who had enquired regularly when Adrian would be returning from his sojourn in Australia.
“Twink is home now, everything will be alright,” said Cathal, before asking for a final round of applause in honour of Adrian’s memory.
He concluded by reciting ‘The Hurler’s Prayer’, by Seamus Redmond, which also drew a generous round of applause from the congregation.
Players and officials from both the Aghamore and Tooreen GAA clubs, wearing their jerseys, provided a guard-of-honour to the funeral cortege as it made the short journey to Aghamore cemetery where Adrian was laid to rest.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis.