Main pic: Raymond Porter (L) being presented with a new set of Donegal Philadelphia jerseys by John Flynn.
Despite living on either side of the Atlantic, the ties between two former teammates remain as strong as ever, 45 years after playing alongside each other on the Convoy U14 ‘wonder team’.
Raphoe men, Johnny Harte and Raymond Porter, were rock solid in defence for the talented east Donegal side in 1980. Co-founder of the award-winning Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur, Harte is now based in Dublin while Porter is a prominent member of the Donegal Philadelphia GAA Club.
Raphoe man Johnny Harte of Five Farms
Former neighbours – their gardens backed onto one another in Raphoe – the friendship went full circle last week when Harte’s nephew personally presented Porter with a new set of jerseys sponsored by Five Farms. John Flynn was Stateside on tour with the St Michaels GAA Club from Dunfanaghy.
“Myself and Raymond played together for Convoy almost half a century ago,” Harte told Donegal Daily this week.
“The GAA is the greatest sporting organisation in the world when we can still have that connection. It’s so narrow yet so broad, given the fact my godson and nephew was out with St Michaels and that was the opportunity to officially present the new jerseys.”
One of the new Donegal Philadelphia jerseys, sponsored by ‘Five Farms’.
The boys’ fathers, Paddy Harte and Joe Porter, were best friends too.
“The Porter’s back garden met our back garden, so we literally grew up together playing football,” Johnny added.
The connection between the Donegal Philadelphia club and the Raphoe community runs deep. Several other members of the Porter family emigrated to Philadelphia and have become central figures in the club’s story. Una Porter, now married to Club Chairman and Letterkenny native John McDaid, is one such link. Her sister Carmel Porter, who also settled in Philadelphia, is married to Louis Bradley, another Letterkenny man, and their sons now proudly wear the club jersey on the field.
A match report from the 1980 U14 clash between Convoy and MacCumhaills.
Harte is still heavily involved in the GAA with his adopted Templeogue Synge Street in Dublin, and follows the fortunes of the Donegal team all over the country.
With all the local connections, he said he’s proud that his ‘Five Farms’ is backing Donegal Philadelphia.
Members of the Donegal Philadelphia club in front of the famous ‘Rocky’ statue.
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