The Finn Harps Schools programme added a little extra element of fun this year by asking the pupils to vote for their favourite Finn Harps player and the winner was the ever consistent St. Johnston man Ciaran Coll.
The Programme currently has over 6,500 primary school children participating in their soccer coaching and Eat Right Play Right initiatives in schools right across Donegal.
Ciaran was chosen as the favourite player and on Thursday evening he was presented with the winning cup by the club’s underage main sponsor Brendan Kelly of Kelly’s Toyota at the company’s showroom in Letterkenny. Recently re-signed for Finn Harps, Ciaran was clearly delighted to have been chosen as the primary school kids favourite player.
“As a player for Finn Harps, I am delighted and proud that I can be looked upon as a good role model for young soccer players. I was chuffed to receive this tonight and want to thank everyone who voted for me as their favourite player.”
“I was one of those children who took part in the Finn Harps Schools Programme, while at St. Baithins N.S, St. Johnston so I know how this programme has helped me develop as a player and as a person. I would like to thank John Campbell who is responsible for rolling out the programme and to Brendan Kelly, Kelly’s Toyota for his dedication and sponsorship of this programme. Everyone who volunteers in this programme will make a difference to so many kids lives through sport and personal development, setting them up for life.” Coll said.
Ciaran Coll presented with his award by Brendan Kelly of Kelly’s Toyota
Ciaran played underage football with Kildrum Tigers before signing for SPL side Hearts in 2007. He spent a year at Tynecastle before returning to Ireland, where he signed for Finn Harps at the start of the 2009 season.
Ciaran made his Harps debut against Kildare County on the 7th of March 2009 and made 28 league appearances for the club that season. But in 2010 injury ruined Ciaran’s season and his only appearance came in the final game against Mervue United.
2011 saw Ciaran back involved and he made 21 league appearances during Finn Harps First Division campaign.
In 2012 Ciaran scored his first league goal for Harps netting in the 62nd minute against SD Galway on June 1st. Seven minutes later he scored his second as Harps went on to win 5-1. By the end of that season Ciaran had made 27 league appearances and in 2013 he added 18 more.
The following year he was again a key part of Harps’ defensive line, making another 27 league appearances. Ciaran was once again a key part of the Finn Harps side in the 2015 season as he made twenty-five league appearances during the First Division campaign, captaining the side whenever Kevin McHugh was absent, before playing in all four play-off matches, scoring a huge goal in the opening minute of the away match to UCD as Harps won 1-0, as the club were promoted to the Premier Division after overcoming UCD and Limerick.
This year, over 1,200 children have attended matches at Finn Park and those children were asked to select their favourite player of 2016. The Finn Harps Schools Programme supports children in the development of positive life skills.
Their qualified coaches provide safe, enjoyable recreation opportunities where each child has a positive, rewarding experience while learning the basic skills and fundamentals of the soccer football regardless of skill level and where each child learns the importance of sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, respect, and integrity while sharing with their coaches and teammates the emotions of success and failure. And through the Eat Right Play Right Programme, they learn the importance of good nutrition in sport and for life.
Speaking on behalf of Kelly’s Toyota, Brendan Kelly said; “This is the second School Year that Kelly’s Toyota have been involved with the Finn Harps Schools Programme sponsor it has given our team and our brand pleasure to see how many children in this county that have benefited from this fantastic programme.”
“It’s not always about the ability of a child’s soccer skills, it’s about getting the chance to take part and making them feel like they are part of our own local soccer heritage that is Finn Harps. The coaches do tremendous work with these children encouraging fun while delivering their fundamentals of soccer skills regardless of skill level.”
“And all of these children will at some stage through the programme meet their local soccer heroes, like Ciaran, who deserved this award, get the chance to travel to Aviva and to a Finn Harps match. Chances like these would never be available in our county if it were not for the Finn Harps Schools Programme. We are delighted to be involved and look forward to presenting many of our 6,500 children with awards throughout the season.”
Mr Kelly also commended all those involved including John Campbell, Programme Manager for all the coaches, Paddy Harte the Chairperson; Myles Sweeney from Donegal Sports Partnership; Ann Marie Meehan the Principal at St. Baithins N.S. St. Johnston; Finn Harps player Packie Mailey and Grace Ann McGarvey for the PR and Marketing.
Tags: