Anto Finnegan Explained

Code:Football
Sport:Gaelic football
Anto Finnegan
Nickname:Anto
County:Antrim
Province:Ulster
Clubs:St Paul's
Clcounty:3
Counties:Antrim
Icposition:Centre-back
Icyears:1994–2005
Icprovince:0
Icallireland:0
Allstars:0
Nfl:0
Icupdate:12:11, 19 September 2021
Birth Date:1973
Birth Place:Belfast, Northern Ireland
Death Date:18 September 2021 (aged 48)
Death Place:Belfast, Northern Ireland

Anthony Finnegan (1973[1] – 18 September 2021) was a Gaelic footballer who played for the St Paul's club and also at senior level for the Antrim county team. Finnegan usually lined out as a defender.

Playing career

Finnegan first came to Gaelic football prominence at juvenile and underage levels with the St Paul's club in Belfast. He eventually progressed onto the club's senior team and won three County Championship titles. Finnegan lined out with the Antrim senior football team for over a decade, the highlights of which were an All-Ireland B Championship win over Fermanagh in 1999 when he was captain and an Ulster Championship win over Down the following year.[2]

Personal life and death

Finnegan was diagnosed with motor neuron disease in August 2012 and raised awareness around the disease through campaigning and charity work.[3] He died on 18 September 2021, aged 48.[4] [5]

Honours

St Paul's

1994, 1996, 1997

Antrim

1999 (c)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Former Antrim footballer Anto Finnegan dies aged 48. Irish Times. 2021-09-18. 2021-09-19.
  2. News: Brian Fenton and Philly McMahon lead tributes after death of inspiring MND campaigner Anto Finnegan (48). Irish Independent. 19 September 2021. 19 September 2021. Colm. Keys.
  3. News: Antrim GAA hero Anto Finnegan has motor neurone disease. BBC Sport. 20 November 2013. 19 September 2021.
  4. News: Former Antrim captain and campaigner Anto Finnegan has died, aged 48. RTÉ News. 18 September 2021. 19 September 2021.
  5. News: Tributes paid after death of 'inspirational' Antrim footballer Anto Finnegan. Belfast Telegraph. 18 September 2021. 19 September 2021. Eimear. McGovern.