Caolan Finnegan, who played Gaelic football for Crossmaglen Rangers in Co Armagh, passed away this morning, Friday, August 23, after a brave battle with cancer.
Caolan passed peacefully with his loving family at his side at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry on Friday morning, a notice on RIP.ie says.
Removal from Mc Conville's Funeral Home at O'Fiach Square took place on Friday evening, while visiting times are set to run from 10 am until late tomorrow, Saturday, August 24, and again on Sunday from 10 am to 9 pm.
House is strictly private after 9 pm on Sunday until Monday morning.
The funeral procession will leave the Finnegan home at 10:15 am on Monday, via the Rangers Field, for a Requiem Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Crossmaglen at 11 am. A live stream of the Mass will be available via UpperCreggan.co.uk.
Burial will follow afterward in the adjoining cemetery.
Caolan's family has requested that anyone attending the wake and or funeral wear their club, county, or college colors.
A talented footballer, Caolan represented Co Armagh at all underage grades and played with distinction for both St. Joseph's Crossmaglen and St. Colman's College Newry where he was a pupil.
The Irish News previously reported that Caolan's symptoms began in June last summer, though doctors didn't initially clock what was wrong.
On August 12 last year, during a Crossmaglen Rangers match against Clan na Gael for the Armagh senior football championship, Caolan's performance was noticeably off, raising red flags for his mother Janette who was watching in the stands.
It was ultimately the last GAA match Caolan ever played.
Less than two weeks later, doctors confirmed following a CT scan that Caolan, 19, had a brain tumor. He was rushed to the neurology unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital. On September 4, he underwent surgery where 90% of the tumor was removed.
Caolan enjoyed an amazing recovery, up and moving unaided 24 hours later. Still, six months of intense chemotherapy and radiation were ahead.
In March of this year, Caolan's friends and family launched the 'Care for Caolan' GoFundMe to assist the Finnegan family with mounting expenses. More than £330k was ultimately raised.
Thanks in part to the fundraisers, Caolan was able to travel with his parents to a private oncology clinic in Germany a number of times for treatment.
On August 7, the day before heading for more treatment in Germany, Caolan received a special visit from club teammates Rian O’Neill, Oisin O’Neill, and Cian McConville, who brought with them the Sam Maguire Cup, which Armagh had won the week prior for the first time since 2002.
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In a press briefing after Armagh's big win, Oisin had donned a 'Care for Caolan' t-shirt and encouraged everyone to keep his clubmate in their thoughts and prayers. He also noted that Armagh manager Kieran 'Geezer' McGeeney had expressed that Caolan likely would have been on the panel if not for his cancer battle.
On August 16, Gareth said in an update on the GoFundMe page that the Finnegan family had asked for everyone’s prayers "especially tonight and in the coming days for Caolan."
Caolan, who returned from Germany this week, spent his final days surrounded by family and friends at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry.
Tributes to Caolan have been widespread on Friday.
"We are so proud of you Caolan," his home club Crossmaglen Rangers said.
"You will be forever remembered as one of the greatest who ever donned the black & amber."
The club has since opened an online book of condolences.
Caolan lost his battle earlier this morning. A battle he fought with enormous courage, strength & dignity
— Crossmaglen Rangers (@crossrangers) August 23, 2024
We are so proud of you Caolan
You will be forever remembered as one of the greatest who ever donned the black & Amber
Rest in peace Stringer
All club activities are suspended pic.twitter.com/nLuGJYi7Bq
Armagh GAA said it was deeply saddened to learn of Caolan's passing and offered its condolences.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Caolan Finnegan.
We send our most sincere condolences to Caolan’s family, his friends and fellow gaels from Crossmaglen Rangers and the wider GAA family during this difficult time.
Please continue to keep them in your prayers.
Ar… pic.twitter.com/DSFd1ef4zf
— Armagh_GAA (@Armagh_GAA) August 23, 2024
Thomas Niblock, a presenter for BBC and host of The GAA Social podcast, said Caolan was a "warrior on the field and off it."
Life is beyond cruel. A fine man, from a brilliant family, Caolán Finnegan died this morning. Represented Armagh, Crossmaglen & St Colman’s Newry. Tried everything to fight off Brain cancer. A warrior on the field and off it. A role model for us all. He was just 20 pic.twitter.com/NgNLTmpA4U
— Thomas Niblock (@thomasniblock) August 23, 2024
Michelle O'Neill, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, also said she was deeply saddened to hear of Caolan's passing.
"Caolan’s remarkable strength and courage in the face of such a heartbreaking illness was a source of inspiration to so many," she wrote on social media.
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Caolan Finnegan.
Caolan’s remarkable strength and courage in the face of such a heartbreaking illness was a source of inspiration to so many.
My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the local community in South Armagh… pic.twitter.com/jvkOFqEkte
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) August 23, 2024
Cahair O'Kane, a journalist for The Irish News who had been covering Caolan's battle, shared a clip of Caolan on the pitch on Friday.
The morning of the 2022 county final, the Crossmaglen players were all given individual videos showing what they were best at. Caolan Finnegan's is pretty much a collection of goals. He just loved scoring them and he was bloody good at it. This was his video pic.twitter.com/EiSnIoIpJY
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) August 23, 2024
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