O’Driscoll’s goodbye to close friend

IRISH rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll shouldered the coffin at the funeral of one of his closest friends yesterday.

O’Driscoll pulled out of the Ireland squad ahead of their clash with the Barbarians in Gloucester on Tuesday after he got word that his friend, Barry Twomey, had died unexpectedly.

Mr Twomey’s body was found in an isolated area of north Co Wicklow earlier that day. Gardaí ruled out foul play.