The Derry GAA community are still coming to terms with the death of Castledawson players Adrian Heaney who tragically passed away following a courageous battle against a terminal illness, he was 26. A former county minor, under 21 and senior player, Heaney captained St. Malachy's Castledawson, last year and played in their last league match last November. He was diagnosed with cancer shortly afterwards. A cousin of former Derry All-Ireland winner Dermot, Adrian played on the Castledawson team with his brother Martin. He is survived by his wife Claire, parents Terry and Noeleen, brothers Martin and Ryan and three sisters Donagh, Una and Sinead. Sean Dolan's player, Ciaran Wilkinson, played with Adrian in the Derry Minor side of 1996 and said he was deeply shocked by the death of his former team-mate. "Adrian was a very down to earth fellow. When I first met him he seemed very shy but once you got to know him you realised that he had a very welcoming personality, he was great craic. "Everyone who knew Adrian thought very highly of him. I think that says everything you need to know about him," added Wilkinson. Adrian was involved in the Derry senior set-up from 1997 to 2002 and the men who took charge of those teams paid tribute to his qualities as player and as a person. "He was a real nice lad," said former Derry manager Eamon Coleman who visited Adrian in hospital two weeks ago. "He was a genuine lad. He was one of those players who gave it everything for his club and his county. He never went out to play a match that he didn't give every ounce. That's how he lived his life. He gave it all." Brian Mullins, the man who brought Adrian into the Derry senior panel back in 1997, paid tribute to the Castledawson player's character. "He was a quiet boy, he was very young at the time. He committed himself hugely to training, he never missed a session and he always gave his best. It's terrible sad story, it's a big shock when someone dies in the prime of life." Adrian's funeral took place following Requiem Mass in St. Mary's Church Bellaghy. His tragic passing is deeply mourned by the entire GAA community. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Derry Journal 28th January 2005 Tweet

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