Seamus Coleman has shared the sweetest story about how his daughter cheered him up after sustaining a serious leg break.

A crowd in the region of 700 made their way to the Blue Haven in Kilcar to meet world-renowned footballer Seamus Coleman last night.

The Killybegs native is now the Republic of Ireland captain and his appearance tonight is a fundraiser for the club whom he represented before joining Sligo Rovers in 2006.

The morning after Coleman broke his leg in the World Cup qualifier against Wales in March, it took something a little special to bring a smile to his face.

He faced a lengthy lay-off as he awaited the full prognosis in St Vincent’s Hospital but if there was to be one consolation he says looking back now, it has given him time to spend with his wife Rachel and one-year-old daughter Lily.

Seamus Coleman with his family. Picture by North West Newspix

As a father, Coleman, now 28, awaited his daughter’s first steps and was as surprised as anyone when they came that Saturday in the southside Dublin hospital.

“I was waiting and waiting and waiting on Lily to start walking as I just wanted to take her to parks and all the rest,” the Everton right-back said.

Picture by North West Newspix

“I broke my leg against Wales at the Aviva and the next Lily walked into the hospital. That’s as true as God. There I was sitting on the hospital bed and she jumps up on top of me.”

Of returning to Donegal, Coleman was delighted to help out his old club, one which he first represented as an Under-11, where Frankie Murrin was the manager.

Pauric Byrne of Ocean FM with Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman at the Blue Haven in Kilcar tonight where there is a fundraiser for St Catherine’s FC from Killybegs

“It’s great, it was brought to my attention a few months ago, the possibility of a night like this to fundraise for the club and I was delighted to play my part,” Coleman said.

“Look it’s where I started and I wouldn’t be where I am today without this club. I was delighted to come back. I remember scoring my first goal here. I can still see it going into the top corner and mum has the clipping at home still.

“I’m just looking forward to playing my part and meeting the people of Donegal or wherever else they travelled from; giving them a few stories or whatever else they ask me.”

 

For more on Coleman’s visit to Donegal, see Donegal Sport Hub.