Armagh’s All-Ireland winning captain and the Sam Maguire trophy paid a special visit to a Crossmaglen footballer battling rare brain cancer.
Caolan Finnegan, who is affectionately known as Stringer, was diagnosed with the aggressive form of cancer last August.
Before his devastating news, Caolan played Gaelic football for his club, Crossmaglen Rangers, Armagh GAA and St Colman’s College, Newry.
The young sportsman underwent surgery last year to remove a brain tumour and continues to fight the disease.
On Sunday, the footballer was greeted by a special guest, the Sam Maguire cup which was lifted by Armagh last Sunday when they beat Galway 1-11 to 0-13, winning the All-Ireland for the first time in over 20 years.
Caolan and his family, pictured alongside Armagh captain Aidan Forker with Sam Maguire
A Facebook page set up to document Caolan’s progress and fundraising efforts in his battle with cancer, took to social media to share photographs of the trophy’s visit to Crossmaglen, where Caolan lives with his family.
“It’s safe to say Caolan’s day has been made, Sam Maguire came to visit,” the page posted.
“Thank you kindly to Captain Aidan Forker and Paul McArdle who brought the cup to Caolan and his family, it means so much, your continued support and thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.”
The post racked up over 2,500 likes with many writing messages of support for ‘Stringer’ as he posed with Sam.
“Brilliant photos and memories. We’re thinking and continuing to pray for you and wish you a speedy recovery and the best of everything. You’re a total inspiration,” read one comment.
Another user posted: “Great to see very kind and lovely gesture from the Armagh boys. God Bless Caolan in all our prayers for a speedy recovery.”
Another post said: “Fantastic Aidan and Paul! That was really nice It was a lovely thing to do it give Caolan and his family a nice Surprise And means so much to hold the Sam Maguire Thinking of you Caolan Prayers for you God Bless you!”
Earlier this year, a GoFundMe page set up to help the footballer exceeded £60,000 in aid of vital treatments to support Caolan.
Caolan who has a rare form of brain cancer is a footballer for Crossmaglen
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Patsy, one of Caolan’s four brothers, said that although they have faced “bad days”, the family are resilient and: “Caolan will get through the right side of it”.
“We will get through it as a family — that’s the way we’re going about it. I won’t lie, there’s been bad days, but we haven’t let it set us back. We are big and strong. I don’t think there is any point in us feeling sorry for ourselves — we are facing it head on.
“At the back of it all, Caolan has the right mindset, and it’s important to remember to trust the process — good things are never far around the corner,” Patsy added.
Read more
A trip to Crossmaglen wasn’t the only journey for Sam over the weekend – the trophy also greeted attendees of St Patrick’s Cathedral for the 11am mass on Sunday.
Images shared on social media showed the cup at a table at the front of the chapel behind a velvet rope,
It comes after the trophy was part of a huge homecoming celebration in Co Armagh last week, with thousands turning out to greet the team as they returned home from Croke Park.
Fans celebrate as the Sam Maguire arrives in Armagh for the first time in 22 years