SAM Maguire was gleaming in the cool September sun yesterday morning at the Falls Park for the deterMND ‘Run For Anto’ charity event that attracted over 1,000 runners and Dublin’s All-Ireland winning manager Jim Gavin.
The west Belfast park was a kaleidoscope of colour as the runners were doused in powdered paint before, during and after the fun run.
Gavin, who made the 200-mile round journey to support the event, was accompanied by the coveted silverware Dublin have owned for the past four years and former Dublin forward and backroom team member Jason Sherlock.
Gavin said he was “privileged” to be part of the charity run and was delighted to be reacquainted with one of his heroes – Anto Finnegan.
“I remember speaking with Anto in 2014 and we had a great game with an Ulster Select side at Ravenhill,” said the Dublin manager.
“He’s a hero of mine. He’s such a determined man. He lives life to the full and he’s always a smile on his face.
“We’re just delighted to be here to support his charity deterMND. Anto is raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease for research and to raise funds for people that have the illness. What a legacy that is – to keep driving on.”
Finnegan, a former Antrim senior footballer in the 1990s an early 2000s, was diagnosed with the life-limiting condition in 2012.
Rather than lie under the illness, the St Paul’s clubman threw himself into raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and since the founding of deterMND, the charity has raised over £300,000.
Just last year, deterMND made a $50,000 donation to the MND Research Clinic in Duke University, Massachussets.
And yesterday’s event, the brainchild of Antrim PRO Sean Kelly, will raise more money to support the fight against MND.
Thronged as it was yesterday morning, the Falls Park was a far-cry from a packed Croke Park watching Dublin beat Tyrone in this year’s All-Ireland final.
But, for Gavin, yesterday’s charity event was the epitome of the GAA.
“This is a unique, sporting organisation. When you look back to the very foundations of the Association in 1884, it was for the promotion and cultivation of Irish culture and games. I think this is a little bit of that vision our forefathers had for the Association - to see so many people out here supporting one of our Gaels.”
Gavin added: “It’s about looking after each other in hard times and supporting each other. It doesn’t matter which county you come from. It’s fantastic organisation to be part of.”
In between posing for photographs, handshakes and people wanting to congratulate him for Dublin’s four-in-a-row success, Gavin was hugely impressed with the slick organisation of the event and its scenic location.
“It’s great to walk around Falls Park this morning and see a fantastic 4G pitch… Local people are probably not aware of the beautiful mountains in the background. It’s very scenic. It’s a beautiful location.
“When you’re part of a county team you’re in a very privileged position, but with that comes responsibility. I’m just delighted to help Anto and play a small, small part by bringing the Sam Maguire up to Antrim. It’s great to see people the smiles on people’s faces and getting their pictures taken with the trophy.”
Chief organiser and Antrim GAA official Sean Kelly said: "We're overwhelmed by the amount of people that took part in the run and the generosity they have shown to support Anto's charity. It's been a great morning and I think everybody enjoyed themselves, which is the main thing."
Antrim GAA dug deep to support the ‘Run For Anto’ with the Saffron Business Forum presenting Finnegan with a £1,000 cheque while the North Antrim and South West Antrim Divisional Boards made £500 donations.
It's also worth mentioning one young runner who deposited his pocket money into one the collection buckets after completing the run.
