Living his dream with the young Rossies

In an ideal world, Adam Reddington — just like his father Tom 30 years ago — would be pulling on the Roscommon jersey this weekend, possibly playing a part in trying to help the county minor footballers reach this season’s All-Ireland final.

But if Shane Moran’s side manage to upset Tyrone on Sunday in Kingspan Breffni to become part of minor football’s showcase occasion for the first time since 2006, the 16-year-old from Fuerty will have played an invaluable role.

When Adam was just six years of age, he was diagnosed with an ependymoma brain tumour. Within six months, following an operation and treatment in Germany, he was back doing the things he loved — playing hurling, Gaelic football and rugby.

Four years ago, however, a shadow on Adam’s brain was picked up. It transpired that he had another tumour — this time inoperable — on his brain stem.

For Adam, his parents Tom and Elaine, and siblings Josh, Tom Óg and Alannah, it was the news that turned their world upside down.

“It is what it is. The tumour hasn’t grown for the last four years but it has left Adam in a wheelchair. He hasn’t got power down his left side of his body, and he has some loss of hearing in one of his ears. Apart from that, he’s the same as any teenager his age,” his father Tom told the Roscommon Herald.

Adam played sport up until he was 12 years of age. He had dreams of following in his father’s footsteps and captaining Athleague to senior hurling championship glory, just like Tom did in 2003. Even during a short playing career, his leadership qualities were obvious.

“He was a full-back, centre-back, and strong, an aggressive type of player. He was barking orders, telling others what to do. You could see a leader in him,” recalled Tom.

The decision by Shane Moran and his management team to include Adam as part of this year’s set-up has been a masterstroke — another layer of positivity to a group of young men that have captured the whole county’s imagination.

From the moment the panel got together, Adam has been an integral part of the group. On big match days, he’s a familiar face around the squad.

“He’s at the team meetings. He’s in the analysis rooms. He’s in the dressing room. He’s out on the pitch with Robbie (Glennon) helping out. He does everything apart from the running.

“In January and February when the weather was miserable, he sat in the freezing cold watching the lads train. He wouldn’t come into the dressing room. He wanted to stay out there with them.

“There’s a great camaraderie within the group, and Adam is part of that. The lads are really good to each other, not just to Adam,” highlighted Tom.

For Shane Moran, the decision to bring Adam along on the Roscommon minor footballers’ journey was an easy one. From his dealings with him in Roscommon Community College and Adam’s involvement in the school’s Leadership Programme, he knew that Adam was consumed by an insatiable appetite for sport.

“He’s a special young fella that brings loads of energy around the place. He has such enthusiasm for football,” said the Roscommon manager.

“In another life, Adam would be putting on his boot to play football such is his interest in the game. He’s a member of our squad because he contributes a huge amount to the group.

“Resilience would be one of our core values as a group, and, in my opinion, there isn’t a more resilient young person in County Roscommon than Adam. We don’t get too high with the wins and we don’t get too low with the losses. There are far more important things in life than football.

“He’s just another one of the lads. He’s there having the craic, enjoying it and the slagging. He’s one of the wittiest young fellas I’ve ever met. He’d cut Robbie Glennon in two with a one liner — any man that can do that deserves to be around the place!” he laughed.

For the Reddington family, Adam’s involvement has been an enriching experience, demonstrating that there’s a bigger picture in life that sport contributes to.

“As a parent watching on, I’m at every training session. You can see the fun the lads are having. It’s not always about football. In fairness to Shane and his management team, they’re moulding the lads into young men who will, hopefully, be able to deal with adversity in life.

“Obviously there’s a seriousness that goes with winning and losing. But you get a sense that there’s a focus on how life is important, and it extends beyond the GAA.

“Because my kid isn’t playing, I’m not heavily invested. Adam is there but I’m not worried about whether he’s going to make the panel for the next match. I enjoy watching from outside the fence and seeing the bigger picture.

“You can see the work Shane and his management team do with them. Every player is valued, and that’s not easy when you’re trying to keep everyone happy. But they seem to have found a way.

“Personally, for our family, it’s just amazing that they even asked Adam to get involved. He lives and breathes sport. That’s all he thinks about, that’s all he watches. In his head, Adam can’t play but he wants to be involved. Being involved is everything to him.

“From the management’s point of view, they’re being asked to win a Connacht championship and here they are thinking about some other young lad who really enjoys being part of it. Yet, they can still produce a team that goes on and win a Connacht title, and maybe more,” explained Tom.

Whether it’s match day or a training session, Adam is putting his plans in place from 10 o’clock that morning after his rehabilitation exercises.

“His commitment to the training is unbelievable. Even when he’s not feeling well, he’ll be there. He feels that he’s an integral part of the team. The friendship he has made with those players, words can describe what it has done for him.

“I know that it works both ways. The players come to him, sit down and chat about sport — tactics, the team they’re playing. That means everything to him,” pointed out Tom.

For the Roscommon players, their interactions with Adam and how they view his commitment to the collective cause gives them a perspective on the journey they’ve embarked on.

“Adam isn’t fortunate enough to lace up his boots and put on a jersey, like the rest of the group are,” continued Shane.

“That’s the message we try to get across — how lucky the players are to be able to put on a pair of boots and play football, and secondly, to have the opportunity to pull on a Roscommon jersey. Adam can’t do that, but he’s an equal among the rest of the group.

“He’s a hugely passionate young Roscommon man. We’re so lucky to have him as part of our panel. It’s a pleasure to have him around the place.

“He inspires me and the management team every day. I know that the players are inspired by him as well.

“You can see from the way we play, that we never give up in games. We are resilient, just like Adam. He sits down with us, he eats dinner with us. He hasn’t missed a training session. He’s always there with a word for everyone,” insisted Shane.

When the dust eventually settles on the Roscommon minor football team’s memorable season, Adam’s appetite for sport won’t wane. His attention will turn to the local club championships and his beloved Liverpool’s quest to retain the Premier league.

“He never gives up. He’s always fighting. His goal is to get back walking.

“At this stage, however, Adam is resigned to the fact that he’s never going to play sport again. But he’s really resilient. He has a never-say-die attitude, never gives up. It’s never a lost cause with him,” concluded Tom.

For Adam Reddington and the Roscommon minor football class of 2025, the proof is in the pudding.