“I’m a person of faith” – Antrim GAA star Anto Finnegan
Former Antrim GAA star Anto Finnegan (pictured) has spoken of the comfort he has found in his faith after being diagnosed with the neurological condition motor neurone disease.
The ex-footballer said the diagnosis of the muscle-wasting disease – for which there is no cure – was “hard to take” and something his family was still coming to terms with.
However, he said: “I’m a person of faith. My family are people of faith. And I find that a great comfort in dealing with this condition.”
The Belfast-born player was part of the Antrim senior football team from 1994 to 2005, and as captain in 2000 led the Saffrons to a long-awaited Ulster Championship victory against Down.
The father-of-two said his diagnosis in August 2012 was a shock, but he decided to make his condition public because he felt more awareness of the disease was needed.
As for his day-to-day life, Finnegan said “I’m not going to lie down and let it take over me” and plans to continue to live each day “as fully as I can”.
