“When the weather’s blowing rough, then the work is very tough
And the ropes will raise the welts upon your hands
But you’ll never leave the sea, for whoever you may be
When it’s in your blood, it’s hard to live on land”
– The Boys of Killybegs
THE OLD fishing port came alive last night as Seamus Coleman arrived back to Killybegs to a hero’s welcome.
It needn’t have been a surprise.
While Coleman’s stock has risen considerably over recent seasons, and particularly since his inspirational displays as the Republic of Ireland captain, he’s never been anything else in his hometown.
Homecomings are nothing new in Killybegs.
Time was when the trawlers anchored and scores of fishermen, young and old, would hop back onto land after months at sea.
They know all about hard work in Killybegs and it is a trait that has served Coleman well since he hit the Premier League’s bright lights.
The lights in the harbour shone a little brighter last night. This was different.
One of their own was coming back from a voyage of another kind.
It harked some back to the days when Sam Maguire was carried into the town in 1992, Killybegs man Manus Boyle having scored nine points in the All-Ireland final against Dublin and the Donegal squad also including Barry McGowan, Barry Cunningham and John Cunningham.
Many of Coleman’s teeth were cut upon the Fintra sod, too.
John Cunningham was as fearless as any of them in Killybegs and last night
‘Razda’ touched the right note.
“To see him being the leader of the group, before the match dictating, he showed that he was a true, quality leader,” he said.
“We’re all full of huge pride. He showed tremendous composure commitment and courage.
“He didn’t take the easy option. He always tried to create something. It was tremendous the way he handled the pressure of the whole situation.”
At just 16 years of age, Coleman played for the Killybegs seniors in two legs of the Donegal SFC against Gaoth Dobhair. Although Killybegs lost, Coleman – as is his wont – rose to the occasions.
It was on the turf at Emerald Park, the home of St Catherine’s FC, where he really made his name.
It was while playing for St Catherine’s that Sligo Rovers took an interest and the rest, as they say, is the stuff of history.
“There is only one word: proud,” the St Catherine’s FC Chairman, Malachy Murrin, said of the man who captained the Republic of Ireland against Italy and France at Euro 2016.
“Proud of Seamus Coleman. Proud to be from Killybegs. Proud of the local clubs that have produced an international star.
“One time when you went down west, south or east it was: “Awww, Killybegs? Boats, a bit of mackerel and on an odd day a bad smell!’ But now, when you go around the country Killybegs is all about Seamus Coleman.”
Coleman is of Killybegs in the truest sense.
By his own admission, he’s a homebird and jets home any time the chance arises.
He’s proud of his roots and proud of his community, too.
His brother, Stephen, still has one up on him. An international with the Irish Special Olympics team, Stephen has done something his brother hasn’t – score for Ireland!
Last night, the Atlantic Special Olympic Club made a presentation to the Republic of Ireland captain and local Special Olympic athlete David Gallagher said: “I’m delighted they got through to the last 16 against France. They tried their hardest. Seamie did very well. If Seamie keeps this up, they might even make it to the final next time.”
Coleman seemed touched by it all.
Flanked by his wife, Rachel, herself a native of Killybegs, and their baby daughter Lilly, the Everton star was wide-eyed as he thanked his people, his family, his friends.
At the heart of it all, he’s just one of their own, who plays the way they know in Killybegs: Hardy, brave and free.
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