Donegal teenager joins the professional ranks

Shane Blaney

SHANE Blaney begins life as a professional footballer with League One side Doncaster Rovers this morning.
The Letterkenny teenager travelled to Yorkshire at the weekend and attended the club’s 1-1 draw with Plymouth Argyle at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday afternoon
Blaney (18) played a number of games for Finn Harps towards the end of last season before moving to Doncaster in the January 2018 window, signing a long-term contract.
Shane, who celebrates his nineteenth birthday next Friday, will now train hard to earn his chance at the Yorkshire club.
Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Ferguson says the signing of Shane Blaney is one for the future.
“He’s perhaps not one for now, we’ll put him away, but he’s one we’ve looked at and we like him,” he said.
A talented under-age player, Blaney first came to prominence when he was captained the Donegal Schoolboy’s U13 squad to the All Ireland final in 2012.
Playing in the middle of the park that afternoon, Shane’s goal gave Donegal a half-time lead but they were unable to hold on against a heavily backed Cork outfit who eventually won out 2-1 after extra time.
He would also go on to lead the Donegal Schoolboys team to success in the Galway Cup while he won Champions League honours with Illistrin before linking up with Letterkenny Rovers.
Last year, those leadership skills saw his selection as captain the Republic of Ireland Schools team.
These are exciting times for an excellent young footballing talent and, more importantly, a fine young man.

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