Latest news with #FinnHarps
Irish Independent
8 hours ago
- General
- Irish Independent
Dundalk FC crowned League of Ireland Cairdeas Cup Champions
Hundreds of fans including parents, families and friends attended the National Indoor Sports Centre in Abbotstown to see 120 players, representing 12 League of Ireland clubs who had been preparing for this festival since last year's inaugural event. The improvement in the players since last year's event was clearly evident with all matches very keenly contested. LOI Clubs from all over the country were represented including Bohemians, Bray Wanderers, Cork City, Derry City, Drogheda United, Dundalk, Finn Harps, Shelbourne, Sligo Rovers, St Patrick's Athletic, Waterford and Wexford. The red-hot favourite to retain the title was Finn Harps who had been victorious in last year's Cairdeas Cup festival. However, a resilient Dundalk FC team emerged as winners following a thrilling final. Every player, coach, official and volunteer who participated in the festival can be proud of their valuable contribution on the day. The LOI Down Syndrome programme has gone from strength to strength with LOI Clubs providing opportunities for regular training with the players and support to participate in the festival. Last year's inaugural event saw nine LOI clubs represented which has now grown to 12 and is expected to continue growing as clubs continue to embrace a wider role in their local communities. Many of the clubs Football & Social Responsibility Officers were in attendance providing support for the players and families and linking in with brilliant volunteers to make the whole day a remarkable success. 'It's days like this that restores your faith in the purpose of football and how it can positively impact people's lives,' said League of Ireland Football & Social Responsibility Manager, Derek O'Neill. "The LOI clubs participating should be proud of the players and also proud of the inclusive opportunity they have provided to grow the game in their communities and facilitate participation among a wide range of groups from children to older people and people with disabilities. It's another reason why football is referred to as the beautiful game'. The Cairdeas Cup is a collaborative project between the League of Ireland and the FAI Football for All programme and has been shortlisted for the Irish Sports Industry Best Initiative to Promote Inclusivity in Sport & Physical Activity.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shamrock Rovers and Benfica forwards named in squad as World Cup prep continue
Ireland Under-17 head coach Colin O'Brien has called up Shamrock Rovers striker Michael Noonan and Benfica forward Jaden Umeh for a trio of June friendlies in Croatia. The Boys in Green are preparing for November's World Cup in Qatar, where they will face Paraguay, Uzbekistan and Panama in Group J. There are also first calls for League of Ireland duo Josh Cullen (Finn Harps) and Ryan Butler (Wexford). Ireland will face under-18s opposition in Norway, Türkiye and Croatia, starting next Wednesday. Goalkeepers: George Moloney (Southampton), Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers). Defenders: Ryan Butler (Wexford), Josh Cullen (Finn Harps), Aidan Gabbidon (Malmö FF), Max Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Vincent Leonard (Dundalk), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Sean Spaight (Dundalk), Finn Sherlock (TSG Hoffenheim). Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Kian McMahon Brown (Burnley), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers). Forwards: Charles Akinrintoyo (Shamrock Rovers), Billy Hayes (St. Patrick's Athletic), Brody Lee (Shamrock Rovers), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Cillian Tollett (Galway United), Jaden Umeh (Benfica). Wednesday June 4: Ireland v Norway (Stadium Kotorbika, 2.30pm) Saturday June 7: Türkiye v Ireland (Stadium Kotorbika, 2.30pm) Monday June 9: Croatia v Ireland (Stadium Ludbreg, 10.30am)
Irish Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Finn Harps announce departure of League of Ireland and FAI Cup winner
Finn Harps have announced that midfielder David Cawley has left the club. The 33-year-old had been at the Donegal side since the start of the 2024 season and, at the end of last year, was handed a one-year extension. Cawley is a former Ipswich Town prospect, whose senior career has seen him enjoy spells at Sligo Rovers, St Patrick's Athletic and Galway United. He won the League of Ireland Premier Division with Sligo in 2012, the FAI Cup a year later, and he added the League Cup to his collection in 2016 with St Pat's. Recently, the Ballina native was presented with a Harps jersey with the number 400 on the back - celebrating 400 appearances in senior football. Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Harps stated that he was leaving 'due to family commitments.' A statement issued by the First Division club read: 'Finn Harps can confirm the departure of David Cawley from the club due to family commitments. 'Cawley appeared forty times for the club after signing ahead of the 2024 campaign and recently celebrated making his 400th appearance in senior football. 'The Ballina native played a vital role in the dressing room as a mentor to young players making the transition to first team football from the Finn Harps Academy. 'Everyone at the club would like to thank David for his efforts and commitment during his time at Finn Park and wish him the best of luck for the future.'
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic hand trial to highly-rated starlet who made history by becoming his club's youngest ever player
FLYING FINN Celtic hand trial to highly-rated starlet who made history by becoming his club's youngest ever player CELTIC have been running the rule over a talented Republic of Ireland youth international at Lennoxtown this week. Finn Harps teenager Gavin McAteer has had the spotlight on him after joining Celtic on trial for a few days, his manager in Ireland confirmed. Advertisement 2 Gavin McAteer of the Republic of Ireland Credit: Sportsfile 2 McAteer (bottom right) with his Republic of Ireland Under-17 team-mates Credit: Sportsfile The 16-year-old midfielder, who has already featured regularly for the Finn Harps first team, is the latest young talent to be invited to Glasgow to try prove his worth in front of coaches. He made his first team debut aged 15 last season - becoming the club's youngest ever player - and went on to make 16 appearances in total throughout the campaign. This season he's only missed three games in total and even made more history when he captained the side for the first time during their 3-1 defeat to Cobh Ramblers last month. He has certainly grabbed plenty of attention over in Ireland throughout the past year. Advertisement And now he's hoping to do the same in Scotland with the four-in-a-row champions. According to Donnegal Live, McAteer is on the radar of several clubs, including the Hoops. The youngster headed to England last year for a previous trial at high-flying Premier League side Nottingham Forest. McAteer, a regular in Ireland's U17 setup, will return to his club duties ahead of his side's clash with Athlone Town on Friday. Advertisement It's been a four-day trial for the youngster at Lennoxtown and his manager Kevin McHugh is under the impression it has gone well for the midfielder in Scotland. He said: "Gavin was at Forest and got on exceptionally well and Celtic now are very keen to throw their hat in the ring "He has gone for four days. He'll be back in Donegal ahead of our training on Thursday night for the Athlone game on Friday. "The signs so far have been good. He's getting on very well." Advertisement Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Irish Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Celtic running the rule over Irish teenager: 'The signs so far have been good'
Celtic are running the rule over Finn Harps teenager Gavin McAteer this week. The Ireland Under-17 international is with the Glasgow giants for four days but will return to Donegal in time for Friday's First Division clash against Athlone Town. Midfielder McAteer, 16, has already been on trial with Nottingham Forest - along with team-mate Oisin Cooney - but Celtic have ramped up their interest. Speaking to 'Donegal Live', new Harps manager and club legend Kevin McHugh said McAteer's trial was going well. McHugh told the Donegal media outlet: 'Celtic are very keen to throw their hat in the ring, The signs so far have been good. He's getting on very well.' Last season, McAteer became the youngest ever player to feature in a league game for Finn Harps when he came off the bench in a defeat away to Kerry as a 15-year-old. In February this year, McAteer then made his Ireland U17 debut as a sub in a 3-0 defeat to Finland. A month later, he was an unused sub for the Euro qualifiers against Belgium and Poland but won his second cap in the 5-0 win over Iceland, providing an assist. While Ireland missed out on qualification for the European Championships, they still secured a spot at the World Cup. And McAteer, who turns 17 in July, will be hoping to win a place in Colin O'Brien's squad for the tournament in Qatar this November. In the League of Ireland First Division, Milford teenager McAteer has made 10 first-team appearances this season. He featured in 15 senior Harps games last year. McAteer's trial at Nottingham Forest took place last October and he scored in a 6-1 win for the U21s over Hull City. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
