Gavin McAteer looking to push on after ‘unbelievable’ World Cup experience

It was a year to remember for Gavin McAteer, representing the Republic of Ireland at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, but the promising midfielder is looking to push on further.

The Milford native has impressed since coming in for his debut last year and has been a key figure in the Finn Harps midfield ever since, winning the Young Player of the Year award this season.

McAteer joined the club as a nine-year-old, and while he did represent Gaeil Fhánada at a young age through family links, he was always fairly certain on which sport was the one for him.

And he made a breakthrough at a record breaking age, coming on against Kerry in May of 2024 to become the second youngest Harps player in history and the youngest ever player to play in the league for the club, at 15 years and 327 days.

“I played a good bit of Gaelic, but I always preferred the football, and I committed to it fully when I was about 13/14.

“I was in the squad against Longford, and I hadn’t trained with the squad before then, so I went straight in. It didn’t take too long then until I made my debut.

“I felt I did well in training and the senior lads were all very welcoming, the likes of Tony McNamee, Conor Tourish and Noe Baba, they helped me settle in quite easily.

“I was only 15, but I had the confidence that I could play at that age. You need to have the belief in yourself, so it wasn’t exactly a big shock to my family or me, they believed in me as well.”

McAteer then provided a brilliant assist for Patrick Ferry on his home debut as the Harps levelled late in the contest against Athlone Town, and he was soon getting the attention of Republic of Ireland Under-17 manager Colin O’Brien as he made his debut in February.

And he’s represented the country in Spain, Croatia, Czechia and Poland in the first half of the year.

It was in Poland that the side qualified for the Qatar World Cup as they finished second in their group behind Belgium, with wins over the hosts and Iceland, securing their spot at the tournament.

And that led to him getting a call-up for the World Cup squad as one of three Finn Harps men, along with Josh Cullen and Corey Sheridan.

“I made my Harps debut in May last year, and then I made my Ireland debut in February this year in Valencia, and I must have impressed in that, and I’ve been in every camp since.

“It was a big relief (getting the call-up). I was sitting at the dinner table with my dad, and I was just buzzing, especially with my dad being beside me because he’s the one who has helped me through the journey since I was a wee boy and when I just started. He takes me everywhere, between the gym and the pitch, and he’s helped me a lot, and it was nice to share that with him.

“When I got the call, I also knew Josh and Corey had been called up, and I was texting them straight away. Myself and Josh played in the Academy together since we were nine, and we’re good friends, so to play at the World Cup with him was unbelievable. Corey joined Harps a bit later on, and you can see how good he is, so it was great to have them going too.

“We owe a lot of it to Kevin McHugh, to be fair. He’s been involved since we joined, and he cares so much about young players, and him being involved with the seniors helped a lot, and we know the belief he has in us, between us three and Aaron McLaughlin, Darragh Coyle, and Max Johnston.”

Going to the World Cup, there were high ambitions for the team, being drawn into Group J with Panama, Uzbekistan and Paraguay.

Colin O’Brien’s men got off to a great start with a 4-1 win over the Panamanians in Doha thanks to goals from Jaden Umeh, Kian McMahon-Brown, Michael Noonan and Max Kovalevskis.

It also saw a first World Cup appearance for the Milford man as he came on as a substitute with a quarter of an hour remaining.

And while he didn’t make an appearance against Uzbekistan, Ireland came from a goal down to win 2-1, which essentially ensured a top two spot in the group and qualification for the last 32.

With the eight best third place teams going through, Ireland were in a good position to go through regardless, and O’Brien rotated his squad for the final game, giving McAteer a first start along with clubman and Donegal Town native Josh Cullen.

A tightly contested 0-0 in warm conditions followed as Ireland topped their group, and it was a moment to remember for the Loreto Milford student.

“It was so different over there, it was really nice, and the weather was unreal, but we weren’t there for a holiday.

“We were there for the football, but the pitches and facilities were unbelievable, it was just a class experience.

“Our hopes really were to win it, it might sound mad, but we genuinely had that belief going into the competition that we could win it, from every single player to the coaching staff, and if you don’t believe it, then what hope do you have?

“I don’t think there was a lot between the teams from the round of 16 to the final, and on our day, I felt we could have beaten anyone to be honest. That was our mindset going into the tournament, we believed.

“It was a really good feeling getting on the pitch and making my debut at the World Cup, it’s something that will be hard to top.

“Even just playing friendlies for Ireland is the best feeling, but when you’re playing in a World Cup, it’s a hard feeling to beat. Having my family there watching and friends and family back home watching, it was really nice.

“Uzbekistan would have been a really hard game to come into. I don’t know if it would have suited me to go into.

“But then the Paraguay game, the manager came to me before the game and said that playing in the First Division would really stand to me because they were really physical and it was scrappy. 

“All they needed was a point to go through, and we were qualified, but we wanted to win. A lot of the boys were disappointed, but we’re a small country and to top the group on seven points was a great achievement.”

A penalty shootout win over Canada followed, but they bowed out at the last 16 stage at the hands of Switzerland in a 3-1 defeat, who would go on to lose out to eventual winners, Portugal.

“Against Switzerland, we were just a bit off, and we looked a bit tired because we had played so many games and when you’re not used to the heat as well.

“The Canada game probably took a lot out of us. I know Switzerland won their last 32 game 3-1, and comfortably. The Canada game took a lot out of us, and we went in with confidence because we played them the previous month in Pinatar in Spain, and drew 1-1.

“But they were very good, and they had some good subs who changed the game, so it was disappointing to lose, but when you look back on it, you realise it was a huge achievement to get to the round of 16.

“We thought we could have went further, but it was still a really good achievement.

“It’s something you dream of, and you’d love to happen, and it sounds mad but I have always had the belief I could go on and do something like that.

“And I want to do on and do more, I’m not going to settle for just this and live off that, I want to do more and more.”

McAteer and the Harps returned to training this week ahead of the new season as they look towards an improvement on last season’s eighth place finish, although they were in the play-off hunt for long periods of the year, but faded out of contention late on.

A managerial change didn’t help things as Darren Murphy left to manage his local side, Loughgall, with Finn Harps club legend Kevin McHugh stepping up from assistant to become the permanent manager.

McAteer got his first goal for the club in August against Wexford at home, and it’s something he’s looking to add more of next year, playing 30 league games over the course of 2025.

“I missed a few games being away with Ireland and on trial, but I just want to be starting and playing as many games and helping the team as much as I can.

“It was a tough season, we started off with ‘Murph’ who was a very good manager and when he left, Kevin came in and they are quite similar, two top coaches and Kevin was already in and I feel like he has raised the standards, he’s a top manager and we’ll definitely be looking to improve next season and we’re looking forward to it.

“I was getting a bit frustrated (not scoring) to be honest, and when I did score, it was a big weight off my shoulders because I know I can score goals and it’s definitely something I’ll be looking to add to next season.

“Obviously, we want to improve on last season, and I feel that we will. Having Kevin in from the start of the season will be a good thing because he’ll get a full pre-season with us.

“The players are looking fit coming back, and it’s no secret we want to get into the play-offs, that is the aim for us, and I feel we can do that because we’ve got a good enough squad to do that.

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“It’s a tight league, and we went into the last few games not far off the play-offs, anyone can beat anyone, and that’s what makes the First Division so good.

“I want to have a good season and get more involved with goals and assists and just help the team.

“Then, with Ireland, something that Colin O’Brien always tells us is ‘nobody has ever signed a contract to play international football’, so you’re never guaranteed to be in the next camp.

“I won’t take it for granted getting the chance to play for my country, and I just want to keep working and getting into those camps.”