GAA community in Armagh and beyond shows support for brave Crossmaglen footballer Caolan Finnegan

Crossmaglen's Caolan Finnegan in action against Silverbridge's Pete Carragher.

The GAA community in Armagh and beyond has shown tremendous support for Caolan Finnegan, a 20-year-old, who continues to fight against brain cancer.

Caolan – also known as ‘Stringer’ - is a gifted footballer for Crossmaglen Rangers, who famously scored the only goal in the club’s Armagh SFC Final win over Granemore 2022.

He was also a key player on the Crossmaglen U19 team which won the Armagh Championship in the same year.

However, in August of 2023, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Having fought valiantly to this point, Caolan’s friends came together with the support of his family to set up a GoFundMe page, to help raise funds for him on his journey.

With the page being shared widely on social media by prominent Armagh GAA footballers, the initial target of £15,000 was smashed almost immediately, and at the time of writing, well over £30,000 has been raised, with the figure continuing to grow!

However, all support is welcome, and donations can be made at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/care-for-caolan?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_content=FP_IGV_Story&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram_story&utm_term=undefined

The page was set up by Gareth O’Neill and has been endorsed by several Crossmaglen Senior footballers including Armagh Senior inter-county players Oisin O’Neill and Rian O’Neill.

Gareth’s message reads:

Crossmaglen's Caolan Finnegan pictured during the U19 Armagh Championship Final in 2022.

‘Hi everyone, my name is Gareth O'Neill.

‘A group of us have come together to raise funds to support a good friend of ours who is bravely battling cancer.

‘In August 2023 , at the age of 20, Caolan Finnegan or ‘Stringer’ as he’s widely known was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Days after playing in the Armagh Senior Championship for his club Crossmaglen Rangers v Clan na Gael, Stringer was preparing for surgery to remove a brain tumour.

‘Caolan has also represented Armagh at all underage grades and is a past pupil of St Joseph’s Crossmaglen and St Colman’s College Newry and played with distinction for both.

‘Caolan with the help of his family has shown tremendous courage as he has battled the effects of the surgery and treatments which he has undergone.

‘Unfortunately, Caolan’s battle with cancer will continue for the immediate future and we have come together with the blessing of Caolan and his family to try and raise funds to help Caolan on his journey.

‘The Finnegan family have shown amazing strength in ensuring Caolan has wanted for nothing and Caolan is receiving the best care at all times, but now as treatment enters its eighth month we would ask the Crossmaglen community, the GAA community in Armagh and all GAA and sports people to help the Finnegan family as they prepare for an elongated battle.

‘We will be organising a few fundraisers in the coming months to raise funds but wish to start the fundraising immediately to help Caolan receive the best treatments available.

‘All monies raised will go directly to Caolan to support his treatments and make his and his families journey through this horrendous battle as stress free as it can be.’