Hundreds mourn 13-year-old James who always had ‘a twinkle in his eye’

A teenager who died following a severe asthma attack was laid to rest yesterday — 13 years to the day he was baptised.

Flame-haired James Long — a talented GAA player who scored a winning goal for his local hurling club only hours before his death — was buried with his jersey draped over his coffin.

James, originally from Limerick City, had moved with his family to rural Kilmallock six years ago but had managed to capture the hearts of those in the small community.