Crossmaglen GAA player Finnegan passes away after cancer battle

Crossmaglen Rangers Gaelic footballer Caolan Finnegan has passed away following a battle with brain cancer, his club have announced.

The 20-year-old was diagnosed a year ago with an aggressive form of the illness, with a fundraising drive raising over £300,000 to enable specialist treatment in Germany.

The talented Finnegan was a regular at senior level for his club and Armagh Senior county Manager Kieran McGeeney stated 'Stringer' would have been part of his All-Ireland winning squad, but for his illness.

In a social media post earlier, Crossmaglen announced the news.

"Caolan lost his battle earlier this morning," it read.

"A battle he fought with enormous courage, strength & dignity. 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."

His former school, St Colman's College in Newry, with whom Finnegan won an Ulster Schools' All-Star award in 2022, also paid tribute to their past pupil.

"The Staff, Students and Board of Governors of St Colman’s College are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our esteemed past pupil Caolan Finnegan," they post on X.

Deepest condolences to his family, friends and members of Cross Rangers and the Armagh GAA Community. Suaimhneas Síoraí Air."