Hundreds attend west Belfast funeral of former Antrim GAA captain Anto Finnegan

The funeral has taken place in west Belfast of former Antrim GAA footballer and charity campaigner Anto Finnegan.

The 48-year-old, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2012, died on Saturday. His Requiem Mass took place today at Christ the Redeemer Parish Church in Lagmore.

Among those to attend were GAA president Larry McCarthy, former Dublin manager Jim Gavin and former West Belfast MP Gerry Adams.

Mr Finnegan was known for his charity work after setting up deterMND to raise awareness of MND.

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His is survived by his family, including wife Alison and children Ava and Conall.

Crowds watched as Mr Finnegan's coffin, draped in the jersey of his club St Paul's, was carried into the church as his clubmates stood in a guard of honour.

In a death notice in Monday's Irish News, Mr Finnegan's wife Alison said: "We have never known such sorrow. No matter what I do I will never let a day go by without a thought of you".

His daughter Ava, also paid tribute to her "best friend" and said she will miss their "laughs and smiles".

"You were the bestest friend and daddy anyone can ask for. I love you to the moon and back," she wrote.

Conall Finnegan said there were no words to "describe how we feel".

"Your memory will live on through mummy, Ava and me, as well as all the people you have inspired. We all strive to be like you every day."

Mr Finnegan worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the neurological condition, for which there is no cure.

In 2017, he completed 90 miles of one of Europe's most gruelling challenges - the Camino Frances, the most popular pilgrimage route of the Camino de Santiago - travelling in a specially-adapted wheelchair through rough terrain, some off-road and up mountains.