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Dublin All-Ireland winning manager Jim Gavin joins hundreds in Falls Park for Run for Anto

Anto Finnegan and his wife Allison, along with Dublin manager Jim Gavin and former player Jason Sherlock, at the Run For Anto event in Belfast's Falls Park. Picture by Ann McManus
Anto Finnegan and his wife Allison, along with Dublin manager Jim Gavin and former player Jason Sherlock, at the Run For Anto event in Belfast's Falls Park. Picture by Ann McManus Anto Finnegan and his wife Allison, along with Dublin manager Jim Gavin and former player Jason Sherlock, at the Run For Anto event in Belfast's Falls Park. Picture by Ann McManus
By Connla Young

DUBLIN GAA manager Jim Gavin was in Belfast yesterday to lend his support to the 5k 'Run for Anto’ fundraising event.

The All-Ireland winning brought the Sam Maguire Cup along to the 'colour run' fun-day at Falls Park where participants were helping raise cash for deterMND - the Motor Neurone Disease charity set up by former Antrim star Anto Finnegan after he was diagnosed with the condition in 2012.

Mr Finnegan’s former St Paul’s and Antrim teammates Joe Quinn and Sean McGreevy joined hundreds for the fun run around the park.

Taking part in the Run For Anto event in Falls Park yesterday. Picture by Ann McManus
Taking part in the Run For Anto event in Falls Park yesterday. Picture by Ann McManus Taking part in the Run For Anto event in Falls Park yesterday. Picture by Ann McManus

Other figures from the world of sport included former Dublin legend Jason Sherlock, who is also a member of the county's backroom team.

Anto Finnegan with Dublin manager Jim Gavin and former player Jason Sherlock during the Run For Anto event in Belfast's Falls Park. Picture by Ann McManus
Anto Finnegan with Dublin manager Jim Gavin and former player Jason Sherlock during the Run For Anto event in Belfast's Falls Park. Picture by Ann McManus Anto Finnegan with Dublin manager Jim Gavin and former player Jason Sherlock during the Run For Anto event in Belfast's Falls Park. Picture by Ann McManus

Both he and Jim Gavin accompanied Mr Finnegan during the event.

Dublin All-Ireland winning manager Jim Gavin describes Anto Finnegan as a "real hero of mine". Video by Jerome Quinn

Since it was set up deterMND has raised more than £300,000 to help tackle the life-limiting condition.

Last year the popular charity made a $50,000 donation to the MND research clinic in Duke University in North Carolina.

Anto Finnegan said the key message of the event was to "enjoy life - every day is a blessing". Video by Jerome Quinn

Antrim county chairman Colin Donnelly said the event went off well.

“It was for a good cause and there was a good turn out," he said.

“Antrim GAA was fully supportive of it.

“It was great to see Jim Gavin and Jason Sherlock there and it was very positive for the charity."

Jim Gavin with Anto Finnegan's mum Kathleen at the Run For Anto event in Falls Park. Picture by Ann McManus
Jim Gavin with Anto Finnegan's mum Kathleen at the Run For Anto event in Falls Park. Picture by Ann McManus Jim Gavin with Anto Finnegan's mum Kathleen at the Run For Anto event in Falls Park. Picture by Ann McManus

Mr Donnelly said that Antrim GAA continues to back Mr Finnegan, who pulled on the Saffron jersey during the late 90s early 2000s.

“We are very supportive of Anto and the work he has done for MND,” he said.

He said the former Antrim player continues to have the support of Gaels across the county.

“All the clubs have been supporting Anto in his plight through the last number of years, he said.”

Proceeds from the Run For Anto event in Belfast's Falls Park go to deterMND. Picture by Ann McManus
Proceeds from the Run For Anto event in Belfast's Falls Park go to deterMND. Picture by Ann McManus Proceeds from the Run For Anto event in Belfast's Falls Park go to deterMND. Picture by Ann McManus