Gallery: Packie Bonner opens Dunfanaghy Youths' pitch in memory of Callum Friel

Former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Packie Bonner was on hand to cut the ribbon at Dunfanaghy Youths’ FC’s new pitch on Tuesday, which was named after the late Callum Friel.

Bonner, a native of Cloughglass in the Rosses, played 80 times for Ireland between 1981 and 1996 and featured in Euro 88 as well as the World Cup finals in 1990 and 1994. Please click on the arrows to go through the gallery

A keen sportsman, Callum Friel, from Birchill, Creeslough, had been fighting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. A student at St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny, Callum received treatment at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital and St James’ Hospital in Dublin, before sadly passing away in 2020 aged just 17.

A plaque, which said “Callum Friel Park is named in honour of one of our most inspirational young players” will forever greet anyone who enters the field at Dunfanghy Youths, with his parents Manus and Yvonne and sister Cassie representing the family with a huge crowd in attendance. 

“I’m delighted to be back in Donegal to see a development like this,” said Bonner, who is now part of the Football Association of Ireland board. “When I think back to my old days, I played here in the seven-a-sides, this is some development by the local community. It’s sensational and it takes some work from those coming behind me. It’s not just about money, it’s about hard work.

“When you’re a younger player you don’t realise the hard work that is put in. Kids want to play football and play sport. I grew up playing football and Gaelic football and kids will just want to play sport and we’re glad they have the opportunity.”

Ciaran O’Donnell, local journalist and broadcaster, was MC for the evening with contributions from club chairman Joe Alcorn, who welcomed everyone to the new facility, with club members Danny Ferry, who drove the development, Ann Marie Ward, Liam Langan and Peter Toner also expressing their gratitude. 

“It's nice to be gathered together for a happy occasion and to celebrate the official opening of Dunfanaghy Youths Football Club's playing pitches,” Ciaran O’Donnell said.

“Having gone five years without a home, there's a great sense of pride throughout Dunfanaghy and Creeslough that the club finally has a home that it owns. I was blown away with the facilities when I visited them for the first time yesterday. A hive of activity, girls training session, block layers building the dugouts and diggers and cement mixers on full throttle.

“While it's been something of a rocky road to get to this point, the huge effort by so many has been worth it all and I wish the club well as it embarks on the next phase of the development.

“Every project has to have a purpose. A few years ago, Danny Ferry was speaking when the proposed development was making the headlines. I was struck by a line from Danny at the very end of the interview when he said: "All we want is to let the weans play a wee bit of football. Sight was never lost of that ultimate goal, so thankfully, now, it is missions accomplished in that regard. Well done again to all concerned.”

Head of Grant Funding and Infrastructure Development, Football Association of Ireland, Walter Holleran, praised the great progress made.

Video contributions followed from current Republic of Ireland WNT striker Amber Barrett former Milford, former Ireland internationals Kevin Kilbane, Johnny Giles, Ray Houghton, Darren Alan Kelly and Shay Given, as well as Darragh Maloney from RTE Sport, as well as a casual feature on the development to date and future plans, with dressing rooms.

Local representatives Michael McClafferty, mayor of the Glenties MD and Joe McHugh, Fine Gael TD, spoke about the new development, which was blessed by Curate Fr John Joe Duffy; Rev Canon David Skuce; Brother Alphonisis and Brother Lawrence from Ards Friary, and Very Rev Martin Doohan Parish Priest of Dunfanaghy (Clondahorkey) and Creeslough. 

Danny Ferry presented Packie Bonner with a commemorative Dunfanghy Youths FC jersey to thank him for his attendance.