Naomh Conaill give Danny McLoone and his classmates a wonderful surprise

Naomh Conaill GAA club in Glenties have given a wonderful surprise to pupil Danny McLoone and his classmates.

Danny is a popular figure at Scoil Mhuire Primary School and received a letter from the Naomh Conaill team and management, thanking him for being their inspiration. Just like his dad Johnny in his day, Danny is a keen footballer with Naomh Conaill. Danny was just five when he was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2020.

So Naomh Conaill chipped in and arranged for Danny and his friends to travel to Letterkenny on McGuinness Coaches for a fun day at the Century Complex and dinner.

Naomh Conaill are the current Donegal SFC holders, having retained the Dr Maguire Cup having defeated Gaoth Dobhair last month in Ballybofey. They enter the Ulster Club SFC on Sunday, where they take on Gowna from Cavan at Breffni Park.

“We are all so proud of what you have achieved and the warrior you have been,” the Naomh Conaill panel wrote in their letter to Danny. “There were evenings when we were training and some players would start to find it tough and begin to complain and want to give up, it was then that we would think of what a tough warrior you are, and it was thinking of you that would push us on to keep going.

“When games were getting tough, we would think of the battles that you have faced and that's what helped us over the line. We want to say thank you to you for giving us the motivation to keep on going when games were tight and trainings were tough, and to also say well done on your bravery.

“Because of your bravery and to also thank the great friends you have around you, the Senior Naomh Conaill team feel that you and all your friends in second class deserve a treat! We've spoken nicely to your teachers and they've also agreed to a day off from school, a bus trip to Century Play in Letterkenny, and dinner and treats”.

Scoil Mhuire Primary School, who were delighted with the Naomh Conaill gesture, said “sometimes kindness blows you away” on a social media post.

“The Naomh Conaill G.A.A Club Senior Men's Team are constantly talking about the wonderful support they receive from our young people and today they are returning that support,” they added. “They fundraised amongst themselves and today Danny and his second class teammates away for a well-deserved day of fun. Thank you Century Complex and McGuinness Coaches for helping to make this happen.”