Donegal minor captain Niall Harley has made an interesting journey to get where he is today.

Born in South Africa to an Irish father and South African mother, Niall didn't even see, let alone play, his first Gaelic football match until he was 12 years of age.

However, just six years later and the Ballyshannon footballer will lead Donegal out against either Armagh or Monaghan in the Ulster final at Clones.

Having moved 'home' when he was 12, first to Kinlough in Leitrim where he began playing with Melvin Gaels and then when they family finally settled in Ballyshannon, Harley's progress as a Gaelic footballer has been impressive.

"The first Gaelic match I saw was when I was about 12 years of age. I played with Melvin Gaels. They were a great club as well," Harley told the Donegal Democrat.

"I then moved to Ballyshannon and I suppose that's where I got most of my football coaching. I would like to single out two men, Shane Ward and Gregory Sweeney. I would say they thought me a lot of what I know. I got on great with the two of them."

He added: "I'm delighted and it is a great privilege to be captain, but we have a great bunch of lads there and a very good manager and it's easy to get on with all of them." Tweet

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