Funeral mass for 11-year-old Liam Costello at Our Lady of the Annunciation Roman Catholic Church, Bishop Eton, Woolton _320
THE father of an 11-year-old boy who died after falling from a Welsh mountainside paid tribute to the son he “adored” during the funeral service yesterday.
A congregation of hundreds gathered at Our Lady Bishop Eton in Childwall to mark their respects to Liam Costello, who tumbled to his death from a ridge in Snowdonia.
Speaking during the Roman Catholic ceremony, Mr Costello said the youngster had given him, “fantastic memories, which will be locked in my heart forever”.
Many friends of the talented footballer and cricketer attended the service and some walked past his coffin to lay out his most treasured possessions at the altar, including Everton home and away shirts, a cricket bat and helmet, football boots and sporting trophies.
Members of Liam’s football team, the Woolton Warriors, sat together in specially-printed T-shirts saying “RIP Liam” around a picture of the St Francis Xavier’s College pupil.
Mr Costello, who broke down during his emotional eulogy, said: “All I ever wanted to be was the best dad in the world. We went everywhere together. Everywhere I went, he went along too. I adored Liam.”
Referring to hopes he had for Liam’s promising football career, he said: “I had great hopes that he could go all the way to the top. But he was the proverbial flower that never had the chance to bloom.”
He ended the moving speech, saying: “Good night, God bless. We will miss you; we will always love you. Mum and Dad.”
At the start of the service, one of Liam’s former teachers, Claire Hyland, gave a bible reading and a family friend, John Brown, read out an anonymous letter received by the family, praising the schoolboy’s footballing talent.
The hour-long service was relayed through speakers to a crowd outside the Woolton Road church.
Watching from the congregation was Madeleine McCann’s grandfather Brian Healy, a regular worshipper at the church.
Mr Costello was with his son when he plunged 200 feet down Crib y Ddysgl in Snow-donia on a half-term trip last month, organised by his football team, Woolton Warriors. After being found on a steep slope, the child model was airlifted to hospital but died from his injuries.
During the service parish priest, Rev Desmond Keegan read a letter from a Year Six pupil from Our Lady’s Bishop Eton School, saying: “We remember him as one of our friends. We find it hard to understand why this tragic accident had to happen.”
Rev Keegan added: “Who is Liam, this young man we come to pray for? in the words of the family, a young boy who enriched our lives...
“A beautiful person who had many strings to his bow.”
