‘Ability Rocks’ kids wish mentor and Donegal ace Finnbarr Roarty the best of luck

Finnbarr Roarty with Cian Shovelin at Abilty Rocks in Kilclooney, Portnoo

placeholder image — Finnbarr Roarty with Cian Shovelin at Abilty Rocks in Kilclooney, Portnoo

The Glenties teenager is one of the 40 coaches in Kilclooney, Portnoo that helps out with 'Ability Rocks' and as he gears up to tackle Meath in the All-Ireland semi-final, the group has wished him the best of luck

Finnbarr Roarty will have a very special group of Donegal supporters cheering him on when he looks to help Jim McGuinness’ team to victory over Meath.

The sides clash at Croke Park on Sunday with a place in the All-Ireland final on the line. Naomh Conaill teen Roarty has been superb in his first year playing senior inter-county football.

And in his spare time, the Glenties lad also volunteers with the Ability Rocks group at their base in Kilclooney, Portnoo.

Ability Rocks was established to facilitate children with additional needs to actively participate in sports.

And Roarty and the rest of the group meets every Monday evening in the Dolmen Centre and the coaches take the children on a one-to-one basis to practice various sports. The group currently operates with 40 children and 40 coaches.

And co-ordinator Shovelin also explains that Roarty hasn’t let big game wins on a Sunday get in the way of any of that the following evening.

“Finnbarr has been brilliant with the kids and of course with his success with Donegal this season, he’s become even more popular.

“There are no airs or graces with him down here and he’s just a natural, a real breath of fresh air.

“To be fair to all the coaches, who give great help to myself, Yvonne and Bernie Gallagher, they really are making a serious difference here.

“I’m sure a lot of the kids will be travelling up to the game with their parents and even the ones that aren’t, will tune in on the TV.

“Finnbarr has a busy schedule but he’s a legend in all the gang’s eyes down here - even the mothers at this stage!

“We have kids coming from the likes of Donegal Town, Glencolmcille, Kilcar and Mountcharles.

“To be fair to them all, they are all football mad and sports mad. Finnbarr, to be fair, he’s kind of oblivious to just how popular he’s got.

“He brought the minor league title here before and it was just brilliant. He was also on hand recently to help hand out the certificates on our presentation night.

“So everyone is excited in the lead-in to Sunday and if they get over the line we’ll all be delighted, but especially for Finnbarr”.