The late Eamon and Martin Furlong Adamstown had never quite seen anything like it before. And people nodded in silent agreement when Fr. Odhran Furlong prayed that the village would 'never have to see anything like it again'. As the coffins of 58-year-old Eamon Furlong, and his 25-year-old son, Martin stood side by side at the altar of the parish church, the community stifled back tears. The Furlong family have friends in every corner of Wexford, throughout Ireland and across the globe. With a large extended family, an association with the GAA, and many friends and business acquaintances - the massive turnout at both the removal and funeral of Eamon and Martin was unsurprising. Nor was the genuine, heart felt show of remorse at the tragic passing of two men, who had touched so many. Outside in the car park, Wexford flags waved solemnly on many cars. A painful reminder of the day Eamon and Martin were tragically killed in a car crash outside of Arklow as they made a journey to Parnell Park for the Wexford v. Derry football match. Now father and son were making their final journey together to Adamstown Cemetery. The heartbreak amid the crowd was almost tangible. Grown men stifled tears in handkerchiefs as a letter from Eamon's son, Brendan (11) was read during Fr. Odhran's homily. Brendan could not attend the Funeral Mass on Thursday, as he required urgent surgery on his back, for injuries he sustained in the crash that claimed the life of his father and brother. In the letter, Brendan asked God to 'take care of Daddy and Martin, keep them safe and happy'. It went on to recount happy days when Martin taught Brendan to hurl, and when his father played practical jokes on his mum, Margaret. 'When I gave Daddy his Wexford jersey on Father's Day, he lifted me up in the air and said 'Up Wexford'. I loved going to matches with him', the letter read. 'I want to thank Martin for teaching me to hurl....I want to thank Daddy for the pup he was going to get me. I want to thank him very much. We are the Invincible family from Adamstown.' Those present also choked back the tears as Fr. Odhran, a nephew of Eamon Furlong, tried to make sense of the tragedy. 'We are all here out of love and respect for the Furlong family. We all wish we were not here, and we wish we didn't have to do this. Why? Because it is not natural, it is not right and it is not something that anyone should have to deal with.' Eamon's wife Margaret, supported by her children Edward (who was also injured in the crash), Anne Marie and Mairead, was also joined by Eamon's mother, Anne Mai, and his family of 16 siblings. In his homily, Fr. Odhran, who concelebrated with Fr. Robert Nolan, PP, recalled the lives of Eamon and Martin - and described the huge, affable personalities that everyone loved. In speaking of Eamon he recalled practical jokes, funny text messages, a wicked laugh, and a kind heart. "The sight of Eamon sitting at your kitchen table like any family member was common,' he said, adding that Eamon's job with Osmond's Animal Health Group brought him to farms across the county. As a result he was very well known, and was a friend who would 'never see you stuck'. And while Eamon knew most people, he smiled as he said that 'Martin knew their daughters'. Fr. Odhran spoke glowingly about the handsome young sportsman, who had travelled the globe and 'packed more into his 25 years than most of us do in a lifetime'. He added that he had a vision of Eamon and Martin having a conversation in heaven: 'I can just see Eamon saying to Martin: 'Get out the tae, and we'll have a slice of tart, but don't tell your mother'. Somehow Eamon's eternal diet doesn't matter any more,' said Fr. Odhran. He also commented on Eamon's pride in his family and addressed them directly. 'I'm sorry lads, Im sorry Margaret, I know that you are all gifted and talented, but you are not nearly as good as Eamon thought you were,' he smiled. These stories of a loving father; and his vital, fun-loving son are what embraced Adamstown village on Thursday morning - and as Eamon and Martin were laid to rest the community respectfully embraced their memories. Courtesy of the Wexford People August 2004 Tweet

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