Caolan Ward

Caolan Ward (born 18 August 1992)[3] is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for St Eunan's and the Donegal county team.

Not to be confused with Callan Ward.

Caolan Ward
Personal information
Irish name Caolán Mac an Bháird[1]
Sport Gaelic football
Position Back
Born (1992-08-18) 18 August 1992
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Occupation Strength and conditioning coach[2]
Club(s)
Years Club
2010–
 St Eunan's
Club titles
Donegal titles 3
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2016–
 Donegal
Ulster titles 2

When first called up for Donegal in 2016, he was based in Carlow and travelled from there to train with the team; by 2018 he had relocated to Monaghan.[4] By 2019, he had returned home to work as a personal trainer at Donegal Strength and Conditioning Gym in a little area called Milford.[5]

Education

Ward is from Letterkenny.[3][6] He attended St Eunan's College, where he played for the school team and learned to "kick the high ball in low" from team trainer Neil "Flash" Gordon.[2] He later studied at IT Carlow and also played for their team.[2]

Ward was a member of Letterkenny Athletic Club until his late teens, where he competed against and relayed with Mark English, before focusing on his football.[7] Ward's father, Anthony, trained Ward at the local athletic club. Ward specialised in the long jump and was Ireland's best at under-9 level in 2001 and under-13 level in 2004.[3]

Playing career

Club

Ward made his senior debut for the St Eunan's club in 2010, in a game against Naomh Conaill.[6]

The 2012 Donegal Senior Football Championship was his first Dr Maguire Cup win.[6]

He started as his club won the 2014 Donegal Senior Football Championship, dethroning defending champions Glenswilly in the final.[8][9][10] He later won the 2021 Donegal Senior Football Championship with his club, also starting the final.[11]

Inter-county

Ward played for the Donegal minor team in 2011.[3] He grew up playing at half-back, which he has said is his preferred position; however, he has been used further back in a marking role for his county.[12] He later played for the under-21 team.[6]

He watched the 2012 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final from Croke Park's Upper Davin Stand.[3]

First featuring for his county at senior level under the management of Rory Gallagher, Ward was first called up ahead of the 2016 season, the eldest of twelve new recruits and travelling from Carlow to train with the team.[4][13] He appeared as a late substitute against Mayo in the 2016 National Football League at MacCumhaill Park.[14] That one minute, as well as injury time, was his total game play for Donegal in the 2016 season.[3]

Ward made his first league start for Donegal against Kerry in the opening fixture of the 2017 at O'Donnell Park (his club's home ground), completing the full match.[15][16]

He made his championship debut against Antrim in the quarter-final of the 2017 Ulster Senior Football Championship.[17] By contrast, Patrick McBrearty (who is slightly younger than Ward) had reached a century of appearances for Donegal by the time Ward started an All-Ireland quarter-final in 2019.[3] He started the 2017 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier defeat of Meath at Páirc Tailteann.[18] He then started the qualifier loss to Galway at Markievicz Park.[19]

Ward continued to feature for his county under the management of Declan Bonner. He made a second half substitute appearance against Fermanagh in the final of the 2018 Ulster Senior Football Championship, claiming his first Ulster senior title.[20] He had earlier started, and scored a point in, the preliminary round defeat of Cavan.[21] He started the quarter-final defeat of Derry.[22] He also started, and scored a point in, the semi-final defeat of Down.[23]

Ward appeared in the four 2019 Dr McKenna Cup matches that Donegal played. He then began Donegal's first six matches in the 2019 National Football League when others were out injured, before losing his place in the team when they returned.[5] He made a late appearance against Cavan in the final of the 2019 Ulster Senior Football Championship, claiming his second title.[5][24] He made another late appearance against Meath in the following game.[5] Then he got to play at Croke Park in the 2019 All-Ireland quarter-final match against Kerry when the likes of Neil McGee and Eoghan Bán Gallagher were injured, leaving Donegal lacking their first-choice back line.[7] He spent much of the game competing against Paul Geaney.[25]

He scored a goal against Monaghan in the 2020 National Football League on 1 March.[26] However, the COVID-19 pandemic then brought all competition to a halt and, upon resumption in October, Ward's only part in the first game back (against Tyrone) was as a late substitute.[27] He started the final league game, away to Kerry.[28] He did not feature during the 2020 Ulster Senior Football Championship.[29][30][31]

Ward started the first of Donegal's four fixtures of the 2021 National Football League, against Tyrone, before making substitute appearances in the third and fourth games, against Armagh and Dublin respectively, scoring a point against Armagh.[32][33][34][35] He did not feature during the 2021 Ulster Senior Football Championship.[36][37][38]

Ward played every minute of the 2022 National Football League, against (respectively) Mayo, Kildare, Kerry, Tyrone, Monaghan, Dublin and Armagh.[39][40] He scored a point in the final game against Armagh.[41] After four rounds of fixtures, the Donegal News described Ward as being "in firm possession of a starting jersey".[42] In the 2022 Ulster Senior Football Championship, Ward played every minute of Donegal's three fixtures, the quarter-final against Armagh, the semi-final against Cavan and the final against Derry (which included extra-time).[43][44][45] He also started the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier loss to Armagh, though — with his team trailing — was substituted for forward Conor O'Donnell late in the game.[46]

Honours
Donegal
St Eunan's

References
  1. "Two changes for clash with Roscommon". Donegal News. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  2. "Five minutes with Donegal's Caolán Ward". Gaelic Life. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018. Teams played for: St Eunan's Letterkenny, Donegal and IT Carlow… Best or worst quote you have heard from a team mate/opponent/manager? 'Kick the high ball in low lads' — Flash Gordan[sic], St. Eunan's College.
  3. Foley, Alan (3 August 2019). "Latecomer Caolan Ward glad he stuck with training for Donegal team". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 3 August 2019. If you leap further back, Ward was born two days after Donegal's first ever championship meeting with Mayo — the drab but coming-of-age 0-13 to 0-9 win in the 1992 All-Ireland semi-final.
  4. McNulty, Chris (25 May 2018). "Caolan Ward on hard work, long commutes and marking Michael Murphy". Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  5. Ferry, Ryan (2 August 2019). "Caolan Ward back in the game". Donegal News. p. 70. Ward played in all four of Donegal's McKenna Cup games, and then started their first six league games. However, as other players gradually returned to the frame, the St Eunan's defender fell down the pecking order. There were brief cameo appearances against Cavan and Meath, but only when both games were in injury time and the contests long over. However, he came back into the equation in the week before the Super 8's[sic] match with the Kingdom when Donegal lost Eoghan 'Ban' Gallagher to a long-term injury and both Neil McGee and Paddy McGrath were unable to start… Ward knows all about spending time on the road as he was previously a student in Carlow, while he also worked in Monaghan for a period. However, the Sports Performance Coach[sic] is now back home and working in the Donegal Strength and Conditioning Gym in Milford… 'I was down the country for the best part of the last year and a half, but I've moved home now again'… Ward isn't one of Donegal's most aggressive defenders, and he's unlikely to find himself in too many wrestling jousts…
  6. "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh for St Eunan's Caolan Ward". Donegal GAA. RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta announced today that the Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh award is to be presented to Caolan Ward, St Eunan's, for his performance in the 2021 Donegal Senior Football Championship. Caolan, 29, is from Letterkenny and made his senior club debut for St Eunans against Naomh Conaill in 2010. He is the holder of three Dr Maguire Cups — 2012, 2014 and 2021. He has represented Donegal at minor and U21 level, and is a member of the Donegal senior team since 2016. He is the holder of two Ulster Senior Football Championship medals, 2018 and 2019, and the Dr McKenna Cup 2018.
  7. "Commitment starting to pay off for Ward". 3 August 2019.
  8. "St Eunan's recapture Donegal SFC title as pressure finally tells on Glenswilly: Michael Murphy's side dethroned after tight game decided by late scoring burst". The Irish Times. 2 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  9. "Donegal SFC final: Glenswilly are Dunne and dusted". Hogan Stand. 2 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  10. "St Eunan's champions again in Donegal". RTÉ Sport. 2 November 2014. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  11. Campbell, Peter (7 November 2021). "St Eunan's overpower Naomh Conaill in Donegal SFC final". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  12. Ferry, Ryan (30 January 2020). "'You have to cherish every game you get' — Ward". Donegal News. p. 77. 'I prefer half-back and it's where I grew up playing. I went up to the county minors as a half-back and throughout the year I was pushed back to full-back and I have kind of been there ever since. But you just get a bit more freedom (when you're at half-back) and able to get up and down the field a bit more, and start attacks and maybe be on the end of moves.
  13. Maguire, Gerry (24 November 2015). "Rory Gallagher puts his faith in youth with minor promotions". The Irish News. Retrieved 24 November 2015. The new players on the squad are Danny Rodgers (Dungloe), Stephen McMenamin (Red Hugh's), Kieran Gillespie (Gaoth Dobhair), Michael Carroll (Gaoth Dobhair), Eoin Bán Gallagher (Killybegs), Ciarán Thompson (Naomh Conaill), Stephen McBrearty (Kilcar), Caolan McGonigle (Buncrana), Jack O'Brien (Naomh Muire), Tony McClenaghan (Moville), Rory Carr (St Eunan's) and Caolan Ward (St Eunan's). With the exception of Ward, all of the above are in the 19-20 age bracket.
  14. Campbell, Peter (28 February 2016). "Donegal march on beating Mayo". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  15. O'Brien, Kevin (3 February 2017). "Underage Kerry stars make the jump to senior as 4 league starting debuts handed out". The42.ie. Retrieved 3 February 2017. Jason McGee, Michael Langan and Jamie Brennan will make their senior debuts for Donegal, while Caolon[sic] Ward and Paul Brennan are set to start a competitive fixture for the first time.
  16. Foley, Alan (5 February 2017). "Geaney at the double as Kerry achieve first opening round league win under Fitzmaurice". The42.ie. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  17. Doggett, Eamon; Byrne, Cormac (21 May 2017). "Donegal v Antrim as it happened: Updates from the Ulster Football Championship — The sides clash at MacCumhaill Park at 4pm today". Retrieved 21 May 2017. Donegal will be heavy favourites and will field four debutants in Caolan Ward (St. Eunan's), Jason McGee (Cloughaneely), Michael Carroll (Gaoth Dobhair) and Jamie Brennan (Bundoran).
  18. Keane, Paul (8 July 2017). "Round 3A Qualifier: Donegal edge thriller". Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  19. Small, Daragh (22 July 2017). "Round 4A Qualifier: Impressive Galway advance". Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  20. Mooney, Francis (24 June 2018). "Energetic Donegal end Fermanagh's Ulster title dream". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  21. McNulty, Chris (13 May 2018). "Ulster SFC: Donegal too good for Cavan". Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  22. Mooney, Francis (27 May 2018). "McBrearty excels to fire Donegal past Derry". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  23. Mooney, Francis (10 June 2018). "14-man Donegal cruise past Down into Ulster decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  24. Sweeney, Peter (23 June 2019). "Donegal power past Cavan to claim Ulster title". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  25. O'Kane, Cahair (1 August 2019). "In-house games have brought Donegal to a new level: Ward". The Irish News. Retrieved 1 August 2019. Ward was one of those drafted in against Kerry for what was his first championship start of the summer, where he ended up one-on-one with Paul Geaney for a lot of the day.
  26. Foley, Alan (1 March 2020). "McFadden and Ward hit the net as Donegal claim easy victory over Monaghan". The42.ie. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  27. Ferry, Ryan (22 October 2020). "Tough afternoon ahead in the Kingdom". Donegal News. p. 54. Caolan Ward was having an excellent league campaign before the break, and even scored a superb goal against Monaghan. However, he was only used as a very late sub against Tyrone last week [upon resumption of the league following the prolonged pandemic disruption].
  28. Brennan, Paul (24 October 2020). "Allianz FL D1: Kerry crowned League champions". Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  29. Keys, Colm (1 November 2020). "Donegal in pole-position for Ulster three-in-a-row after dumping Tyrone out of Championship". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  30. Bogue, Declan (14 November 2020). "Donegal ease past Armagh to reach yet another Ulster final". The42.ie. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  31. O'Brien, Kevin (22 November 2020). "As it happened: Donegal v Cavan, Ulster senior football final". The42.ie. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  32. Bogue, Declan (15 May 2021). "Allianz FL D1 North: Donegal edge Tyrone". Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  33. McNulty, Chris (22 May 2021). "Allianz FL D1 North: Spoils shared in Ballybofey". Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  34. Bogue, Declan (29 May 2021). "Allianz FL D1 North: Donegal finish strongly to earn important point". Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  35. Campbell, Peter (14 June 2021). "Dublin share title with Kerry after defeating Donegal". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  36. Bogue, Declan (27 June 2021). "Donegal signal their intent with Ulster Championship trouncing of Down". The42.ie. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  37. Foley, Alan (11 July 2021). "McBrearty kicks late winner as Donegal squeeze past Derry". The42.ie. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  38. Bogue, Declan (18 July 2021). "Murphy sent off as Tyrone edge out 14-man Donegal to book Ulster final spot". The42.ie. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  39. Finnerty, Mike (30 January 2022). "Rob Hennelly the hero as Mayo snatch draw against Donegal in Allianz Football League". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 30 January 2022. Campbell, Peter (6 February 2022). "Donegal have too much for Kildare despite losing Michael Murphy". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 6 February 2022. Brennan, Paul (20 February 2022). "Kerry impress as victory over Donegal sends them top of Division 1". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  40. Campbell, Peter (26 February 2022). "Goals crucial as gritty Donegal see off Tyrone". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2022. Campbell, Peter (13 March 2022). "Monaghan end Donegal's Ballybofey record to maintain Division 1 survival hope". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2022. Keane, Paul (20 March 2022). "Allianz FL D1: Dublin finish strongly against Donegal". Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  41. McNulty, Chris (27 March 2022). "Donegal hang on for win as things get hot and heavy with Armagh". The Irish Times. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  42. Craig, Frank (3 March 2022). "'Ward'-ing off complacency… Caolan not getting carried away". Donegal News. p. 62. He's more than held his own in all of Declan Bonner's team's four League outings to date. In fact he's been excellent. At this stage, he's in firm possession of a starting jersey.
  43. Watters, Andy (25 April 2022). "Donegal cruise to victory over mis-firing Armagh in Ulster Championship quarter-final". The Irish News. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  44. Haughey, John (8 May 2022). "Donegal 2–16 Cavan 0–16: Tir Conaill men survive Breffni onslaught to reach Ulster decider". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  45. Bogue, Declan (29 May 2022). "Derry outscored Donegal 0–4 to 0–2 in the extra-time period". The42.ie. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  46. Bogue, Declan (12 June 2022). "Armagh power past Donegal to book All-Ireland quarter-final". The42.ie. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
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