'You're the highlights': Patsy McGonagle tells Finn Valley AC stars of the future

Patsy McGonagle was welcomed back to Finn Valley AC having been inducted into the Donegal Sports Star Awards Hall of Fame - and told the club’s juvenile athletes: “You’re the highlights”.

McGonagle was Irish athletics team manager for 25 years, during which time he led the cream of Irish track and field into four Olympic Games, six World Championships and six European Championships - but his heart and mind has remained at Finn Valley AC.

McGonagle founded Finn Valley AC in 1971 and he told an attentive audience how he started the club from nothing and drove the project through the years, with the purchase of an old shed and the site of the town dump at Millbrae, Stranoralr in the 1980s proving a key move.

Finn Valley AC athletes Finn McNamee and Murrin Burke, accompanied by club chairman Dermot McGranaghan, presented McGonagle with the award he had received on Friday night. 

“I have been asked since I got that award about the highlights: You’re the highlights,” he said

“You’re the story. You’re the people who make me happiest. When you do well and you compete, when you feel good and you smile and are happy with your friends in the club - that’s the best. 

“People always expect me to say that it’s one of my athletes getting a medal at the Olympic Games, but this is the answer. I just love to see Finn Valley AC guys doing well.

Murrin Burke and Finn McNamee, with Finn Valley AC Chairman Dermot McGranaghan, make a presentation to Patsy McGonagle

“We built a strong tradition where everyone gave their best, worked hard and were part of the team. 

“Whether they were on the team and got a medal or on the team and didn’t get a medal they were always regarded as being a part of the team. If you think you’re sitting here thinking you won’t get a medal or won’t be on the team, that’s not on. Stick at it, keep at it and work hard and it will work out.”

In his time in charge, Ireland came home with a haul that included two Olympic medals, nine World medals and 27 European medals.

A graduate from St Mary’s College for Physical Education in London in 1972, McGonagle never lost sight of home – and he was the inspiration in developing the Finn Valley campus into a world class facility.

He said: “I was determined and I couldn’t see why we wouldn’t win or wouldn’t do well. I believed and I was loyal. 

“We had great athletes over the years. We built up bit-by-bit to what we have here tonight.  This happened over many years thanks to many good people who have supported me. Some of those people aren’t alive now but it’s important that they be remembered.” 

Finn Valley AC Chairman Dermot McGranaghan said: “Patsy drives us on every day and we continue to be inspired by his passion and determination for the club to succeed - on the track and off it.

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“He has helped to build Finn Valley AC into the best club in Ireland and we are all privileged to be a part of a club that has become an institution in the community right across the Finn Valley area and beyond.”