Last lap of honour for tragic Caolan
CLUB’S PITCH FAREWELL FOR YOUNG STAR (20)
TRAGIC Crossmaglen Rangers star Caolan Finnegan was given a final lap of honour at the club’s pitch yesterday before being laid to rest.
The 20-year-old died on Friday following a year-long battle with brain cancer.
He had played for the Armagh county champions as recently as last summer’s clash against Clan na Gael and
FINAL JORUNEY: Mourners shoulder scored a goal in the 2022 Championship final win over Granemore at the Box-It Athletic Grounds.
Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney said Caolan Finnegan would have been part of this season’s All-Ireland winning squad had it not been for his illness. coffin of Caolan
McGeeney and Armagh coach Ciaran McKeever helped carry Caolan’s coffin across the pitch at St Oliver Plunkett Park before requiem mass at St Patrick’s Church.
As per the family’s request, mourners wore the famous black and amber of
Crossmaglen Rangers with guards of honour formed on both sides of the route to the church while GAA president Jarlath Burns was also among those at the funeral.
Before the final prayer, the priest thanked those for their contribution to Caolan’s funeral mass, adding: “Before we go our separate ways, let us take leave of
Caolan. May our farewell express our affection for him.
Tribute
“May it ease our sadness and strengthen our hope.
One day we shall joyfully greet him again when the love of Christ, which conquers all things, destroys even death itself.”
Crossmaglen posted a final tribute to ‘Stringer’ on their social media channels on Sunday night, saying: “Stringer, when you were are on the field, you left everyone spellbound. “Off the field, your gentle and unassuming manner endeared everyone you met. Your beautiful smile engraved in our hearts forever.
“It’s not goodbye, it’s see you later’ — Rest Easy Stringer.”
A fundraising effort to provide special treatment for Caolan in Germany before his tragic passing had raised more than £300,000 (€355,000).