Adrian Freeman funeral expected next weekend

Adrian Freeman funeral expected next weekend


Michael Commins

THE funeral of Tooreen and Mayo hurler Adrian Freeman, who died in a car accident in Australia, is expected to take place over the weekend in his native area. Numerous tributes have been pouring in for the 24 year old sportsman who was held in such great regard throughout the region.
Adrian’s parents, Seamus and Ita, together with his sister Louise and brother Cathal, faced the long sad journey to Australia last week. It is understood that they plan to leave Australia on Friday and arrive back in Mayo sometime on Saturday evening.
Provisional plans suggest that a wake will be held in the family home in Tooreen on Saturday and Sunday with burial in Aghamore cemetery following Mass in Tooreen Church on Monday. (The final arrangements will be confirmed later in the week and announced on local radio).
Close friends of the Freeman family and members of the Tooreen Hurling Club and Aghamore GAA Club are liaising in relation to plans for the funeral which is expected to be attended by a very large number of mourners.
Neighbours and friends were joined by colleagues from Tooreen and Aghamore clubs last Friday evening for a special commemoration Mass celebrated by Fr James Kelly in Tooreen Church. Many also visited the church during the 24 hours Adoration.
There has been a huge outpouring of sympathy for the Freeman in the aftermath of the tragedy. Tributes and messages running to several pages have been posted on the tooreenhurlers.com internet website. All refer to the deep sense of loss and shock at the tragic death of Adrian in Australia.
A number of sporting friends of Adrian from his home area who have been out in Australia are making plans to travel back with the Freeman family for the funeral ceremonies in Mayo. They include his close Tooreen hurling friends Stephen Coyne and Stephen Leneghan as well as George Robinson (Aghamore), James Hunt and his good friend Adrian Healy from Ballyhaunis.
“It is going to be a sad and poignant time for the entire community over the coming days,” says Jackie Coyne, neighbour and friend of the family and long time officer of the Tooreen Hurling Club. “Adrian’s death has impacted hugely on our community. The hearts of all are with the Freeman family. It is an immensely sad time for all.”