A testing time for Finn Harps teen Gavin McAteer

Fifteen-year-old Gavin McAteer has passed his tests so far at Finn Harps, but the Milford man faces exams of a different kind this week – his Junior Certificate.

McAteer, who fired in the cross from which Patrick Ferry scored a late equaliser against Athlone Town on Monday, will begin the junior cycle examinations at Loreto Community School in Milford on Wednesday.

Rather than board a bus to Cobh on Friday, McAteer, who almost carved out what would have been a late winning goal for Ferry in the 1-1 draw, will be sitting mathematics and history papers in school.

Last month, he became the youngest ever player to feature for Harps in a League game, coming on against Kerry aged 15 years and 327 days. Donegal Town's Marty Kelly was 15 years and 137 days when he made his only Harps appearance against Drogheda at Lourdes Stadium in the League Cup.

“Gavin is a very, very talented kid,” Harps boss Darren Murphy said. “When you put him in the team now, everyone will start talking about him. It's not all about his age, but his contribution.

“You have to be brave. You don't just play them because of their age. You have to be comfortable that they will impact a game in some way. You have to earn a place in the squad and it has to mean something.

“It was a huge contribution from the kid, a great ball in. He also saw a pass on 90+3. That's not coached. You just have to see that.”

McAteer is still playing for the Russell Porter-managed Harps under-17s.

On Monday, McAteer was sent on for veteran midfielder David Cawley after 82 minutes, with Harps trailing to Gideon Tetteh's goal. The youngster made a telling impact.

During the half-time interval, Murphy emerged from the dressing room early to have a word with McAteer.

“I just told him to watch the game and when the opportunity comes to enjoy it,” Murphy said.

“I always look at how senior players react to young players. When my senior players say 'this kid can play', it reinforces it. It's great for me to hear senior players talk like that.

The boy wants to learn and he comes from a really good family. I had no fear in putting him on. People talk about it, 'if they're good enough, they're old enough' and all of that, but it's about ability.

“Gavin is coming into an environment where he has already seen Max Johnston and Darragh Coyle and Sean O'Donnell playing. He knows that the manager has a belief in playing young players.”