Republic of Ireland Captain and Killybegs native Seamus Coleman is set to be given the Freedom of Donegal by Donegal County Council.
The 28-year-old is one of the Premier Leagues top players and has already scored four goals for Everton.
Coleman spoke to Today FM about the honour, where he spoke about how much pride he has in Donegal, and how much of an honour it is to be named among the greats such as Packie Bonner and Shay Given.
“It was something that I didn’t really expect or know what was going to happen.
“It was great! I’m absolutely delighted.
“I think everyone knows how proud I am about where I come from, I’m proud of my town Killybegs, I’m proud of my county.
“I think that probably played a part in the recognition they gave me so it’s very proud for me to get the freedom of the county and I’m happy!
Coleman said that two previous winners of the Freedom of Donegal award; Packie Bonner and Shay Given are “two Donegal legends! Two goalkeepers – so it’s nice to mix it up a bit!”
“Everyone’s very happy and everyone wishes me well like they always do.”
Nice article in today's programme at Goodison @donegalcouncil to give Seamus Coleman the freedom of Donegal @todayfmsport pic.twitter.com/63l03sKl2q
— philkinsella (@philkinsella) February 4, 2017
In the Goodison Park programme Coleman said; “I know everyone loves where they’re from, but I really do love Killybegs.
“I’m just Seamus who they’ve known playing the Gaelic and kicking a football against the wall on St Cummin’s Hill, the housing estate I grew up in.
“This is peace and quiet and family and friends, walks along Fintra Beach and kids on the estate knocking on the door asking me to come out and play football and chatting about the Premier League.
“But no one treats me like a Premier League footballer.”
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