# John Haran

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Irish Gaelic footballer

Not to be confused with [John Harron](/source/John_Harron).

John Haran Personal information Born (1976-11-04) 4 November 1976 (age 49)[2] Letterkenny Occupation Principal of St Bernadette's Special School Sport Sport Gaelic football Club Years Club 1995–[1] St Eunan's Club titles Donegal titles 8[1] Inter-county Years County 1990s–2000s Donegal

**John Haran** (born 4 November 1976) is an Irish former [Gaelic footballer](/source/Gaelic_football) who played for [St Eunan's](/source/St_Eunan's_GAA) and the [Donegal county team](/source/Donegal_county_football_team).[3] He definitely has 8 [Donegal Senior Football Championships](/source/Donegal_Senior_Football_Championship) (though the first one is [a matter of some dispute](/source/Donegal_Senior_Football_Championship#History)).[4] He also has a [hat-trick](/source/Hat-trick) of Donegal Senior, Senior "B" and Senior "C Championships, adding the C" in 2019.

He became chairman of his club in late 2019, having served five years as vice-chairman.[5]

## Early life

The son of a [Garda](/source/Garda_S%C3%ADochana) from [County Sligo](/source/County_Sligo), Haran was born in and grew up in County Donegal.[6]

He learned his trade on the [St Eunan's College](/source/St_Eunan's_College) fields near the Hawthorn Heights area, alongside players including Eamonn Haran, Niall Doherty, Conal Gibbons, Barney McDermott, Seamie Nallen, John Anderson, Karl Campbell and Packie Gibbons. He also played for Glencar Street League teams coached by Seamus Haran and Martin Anderson. Haran won underage titles at almost all levels with St Eunan's.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] He attended [boarding school](/source/Boarding_school) at [St Jarlath's College](/source/St_Jarlath's_College) in [Tuam](/source/Tuam), [County Galway](/source/County_Galway), from 1989 to 1995.[6][*[additional citation(s) needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In doing so he followed his brother Eamon, as well as family friend [Leslie McGettigan](/source/Leslie_McGettigan).[6] While attending St Jarlath's, Haran played with future Galway footballers [Michael Donnellan](/source/Michael_Donnellan_(Gaelic_footballer)), John ('Scan') Colcannon, [Declan](/source/Declan_Meehan_(Gaelic_footballer)) and Tomás Meehan, Tommy and [Pádraic Joyce](/source/P%C3%A1draic_Joyce),[6] as well as fellow Donegal men Kevin Winston and Alan McFadden.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] He cites Fr Oliver Hughes and Joe Long as his main influences.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] He was part of the 1994 [Hogan Cup](/source/Hogan_Cup)-winning team.[6]

Having repeated his [Leaving Certificate](/source/Leaving_Certificate_(Ireland)) (in an effort to win a [Hogan Cup](/source/Hogan_Cup) on the field), Haran attended [UL](/source/University_of_Limerick) for a brief stint.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Playing career

Haran made his debut for St Eunan's in 1995. He won eight [Donegal Senior Football Championships](/source/Donegal_Senior_Football_Championship), the last of which came in 2014 (including the infamous 1997 championship which was won on the pitch then lost in the boardroom, but which Haran personally counts) before he retired from senior football in 2017.[7][1] In spite of this "retirement", Haran was man of the match in the final of the [2014 Donegal Senior Football Championship](/source/2014_Donegal_Senior_Football_Championship).[8]

[Declan Bonner](/source/Declan_Bonner) handed him his inter-county league debut in 1998.[9] He made his championship debut against [Cavan](/source/Cavan_county_football_team) at [Breffni Park](/source/Breffni_Park) on 12 May 2002.[10] He started the first game of [Brian McEniff](/source/Brian_McEniff)'s last spell as Donegal manager, a league defeat to [Galway](/source/Galway_county_football_team) in [Tuam](/source/Tuam) in February 2003.[11] He made a late substitute appearance for [John Gildea](/source/John_Gildea) in the [2003 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship](/source/2003_All-Ireland_Senior_Football_Championship) semi-final against [Armagh](/source/Armagh_county_football_team).[12]

Haran has been sent off in the past.[13]

He also played for St Mary's in the [Sigerson Cup](/source/Sigerson_Cup).[14]

He was one of those who made known his displeasure at [Vincent Hogan](/source/Vincent_Hogan) over Hogan's infamous "sheep" jibe against [Jim McGuinness](/source/Jim_McGuinness) and his team in a national newspaper.[15][16]

He now plays on the reserve team for St Eunan's and in the Autumn of 2018 won his first Donegal Senior Reserve Championship medal, coming off the bench against Naomh Conaill to help steer the youthful Letterkenny side to victory.

## Administrative career

Haran served as vice-chairman of his club for five years, before succeeding Cathal Green as chairman in late 2019.[5] Eugene Duffy succeeded Haran as chairman in 2025.[17]

## Teaching career

Haran attended St Mary's Teacher Training College in [Belfast](/source/Belfast) in 2004–05. He got to know [Michaela McAreavey](/source/Michaela_McAreavey) well, along with her brother [Mark](/source/Mark_Harte), who were both attending at the same time.[14]

On 10 February 2020, Haran was appointed principal of St Bernadette's Special School on College Farm Road, Letterkenny.[18]

## Honours

### Player

- [Hogan Cup](/source/Hogan_Cup): 1994[6]

- [Donegal Senior Football Championship](/source/Donegal_Senior_Football_Championship): 1999, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, [2012](/source/2012_Donegal_Senior_Football_Championship), [2014](/source/2014_Donegal_Senior_Football_Championship)

- Donegal Senior "B" Football Championship:[19] **INSERT YEAR(S) HERE PLEASE**

- Donegal Senior "C" Football Championship: 2019[19][20]

### Individual

- Donegal Senior Football Championship Man of the Match: 2014[21]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-to_call_time_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-to_call_time_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-to_call_time_1-2) Ferry, Ryan (20 September 2013). ["SFC: Haran to call time with Eunan's"](http://donegalnews.com/2013/09/sfc-haran-to-call-time-with-eunans/). *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. Retrieved 20 September 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** McNulty, Chris (4 November 2014). ["St Eunan's hero John Haran hails manager Maxi Curran, 'The Magician'"](https://donegalnews.com/st-eunans-hero-john-haran-hails-manager-maxi-curran-the-magician/). *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. Retrieved 4 November 2014. Haran celebrates his 38th birthday today, but on Sunday he turned in a vintage display, winding the clock back with a performance that was enough for him to win the Man of the Match award.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Foley, Cliona (12 June 2002). ["Devenney in clear following NY trip"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/devenney-in-clear-following-ny-trip-26044322.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. Retrieved 12 June 2002. Half-forward John Haran is available again after a month's suspension but manager Mickey Moran has opted to leave Christy Toye at right half-forward and hold Haran, like fit-again Damien[sic] Diver, as back-up on the bench.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** "Breaking Ball: Donegal Club Championships 2019". *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. 6 September 2019. p. 48.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dsh_07012020_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dsh_07012020_5-1) O'Donnell, Ciaran (7 January 2020). ["Former stars lead changing of the guard at St Eunan's"](https://www.donegalsporthub.com/former-stars-lead-changing-of-the-guard-at-st-eunans/). Retrieved 7 January 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-inews_30072015_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-inews_30072015_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-inews_30072015_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-inews_30072015_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-inews_30072015_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-inews_30072015_6-5) Heaney, Paddy (30 July 2015). ["John Haran: born in Donegal, sent to school in Galway"](http://www.irishnews.com/sport/2015/07/30/news/born-in-donegal-schooled-in-galway-206189/). *[The Irish News](/source/The_Irish_News)*. Retrieved 30 July 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Keys, Colm (5 November 2012). ["Eunan's survive storm"](http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/eunans-survive-storm-3282158.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. Retrieved 5 November 2012.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["St Eunan's champions again in Donegal"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150412175618/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2014/1029/655618-glenswilly-v-sty-eunans/). [RTÉ Sport](/source/RT%C3%89_Sport). 2 November 2014. Archived from [the original](https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2014/1029/655618-glenswilly-v-sty-eunans/) on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Galway blow as Fallon to switch codes"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/galway-blow-as-fallon-to-switch-codes-26196033.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. 11 February 1998. Donegal also selected their team last night, and they handed league debuts to Martin Bonnar from Na Rossa, home club of new manager Declan Bonner, and John Haran of St Eunan's, Letterkenny.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Devenney's future in balance"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/devenneys-future-in-balance-26047562.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. 10 May 2002. Retrieved 10 May 2002.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Duggan, Keith (3 February 2003). ["Meehan adds spark to Galway attack"](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/meehan-adds-spark-to-galway-attack-1.347556). *[The Irish Times](/source/The_Irish_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Armagh's double still alive"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/armaghs-double-still-alive-25928845.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. 1 September 2003.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Foley, Cliona; Harrington, John (16 May 2002). ["County call: Donegal"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/county-call-26048266.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. Retrieved 16 May 2002.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dd_16012011_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dd_16012011_14-1) ["Michaela: Donegal star's memories of a great young woman"](https://www.donegaldaily.com/2011/01/16/michaela-donegal-stars-memories-of-a-great-young-woman/). 16 January 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["McGuinness a leader of sheep"](http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/vincent-hogan/vincent-hogan-mcguinness-a-leader-of-sheep-2940524.html). *[Irish Independent](/source/Irish_Independent)*. 21 November 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Foley, Alan; Comack, Tom (24 November 2011). ["'Sheep' jibe was not welcomed"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150315221815/http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/soccer/sheep-jibe-was-not-welcomed-1-3274387). *[Donegal Democrat](/source/Donegal_Democrat)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/local-sport/sheep-jibe-was-not-welcomed-1-3274387) on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Eugene takes on St Eunan's Chair"](https://donegalnews.com/eugene-takes-on-st-eunans-chair/). *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025. Duffy was elected at Tuesday evening's AGM at O'Donnell Park and takes over from John Haran.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** O'Donnell, Ciaran (10 September 2020). "'We need up to seven or eight more mini buses — Principal'". *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. p. 3. St Bernadette's Special School caters for children aged 4–18 with a mild, general learning disability. Mr Haran was appointed school principal on February 10, five weeks before lockdown.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-dn_10102019_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-dn_10102019_19-1) Ferry, Ryan (10 October 2019). "Quigley to feature in Senior 'C' final". *[Donegal News](/source/Donegal_News)*. p. 67. Alan O'Connell led St Eunan's to glory last season… 'we've also added a few [players] like John and Peter Gibbons. There's another lad called John Haran who has joined us too. If we win this week, he will have a hat-trick of Senior, Senior 'B' and Senior 'C' medals.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** McNulty, Chris (12 October 2019). ["Sharkey goal spurs St Eunan's to Senior C success"](https://www.donegaldaily.com/2019/10/12/sharkey-goal-spurs-st-eunans-to-senior-c-success/). Retrieved 12 October 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["St Eunan's champions again in Donegal"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150412182228/http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2014/1029/655618-glenswilly-v-sty-eunans/). [RTÉ Sport](/source/RT%C3%89_Sport). 2 November 2014. Archived from [the original](https://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/football/2014/1029/655618-glenswilly-v-sty-eunans/) on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2014.

## External links

- [John Haran](https://archive.today/20130123184714/http://www.gaainfo.com/players/football/donegal/John%20Haran.php) at gaainfo.com

St Eunan's squads v t e St Eunan's – 1999 Donegal Senior Football Champions (8th title) J. Haran B. Devenney B. Kilcoyne T. Blake M. Crossan C. Dunne S. McEwen L. McGettigan E. Brennan P. Carr R. Kavanagh P. McGettigan C. Mulgrew K. Rafferty v t e St Eunan's – 2001 Donegal Senior Football Champions (9th title) R. Kavanagh J. Haran B. Devenney B. Kilcoyne T. Blake M. Crossan C. Dunne S. McEwen L. McGettigan K. Rafferty E. Brennan P. Carr P. McGettigan C. Mulgrew v t e St Eunan's – 2007 Donegal Senior Football Champions (10th title) 1 D. Martin 2 D. McClafferty 3 M. McGeehin 4 A. McClafferty 5 E. Doherty 6 C. Ryan 7 E. Brennan 8 K. Rafferty 9 R. Kavanagh 10 C. Sharkey 11 J. Haran 12 D. McGinley 13 P. McGowan 14 B. Devenney 15 C. Dunne Subs used M. McGowan for McGeehin B. McDermott for McGinley B. Roache for Sharkey Manager B. Kilcoyne v t e St Eunan's – 2008 Donegal Senior Football Champions (11th title) 1 D. Martin 2 E. Brennan 3 D. McClafferty 4 C. Ryan 5 M. McGowan 6 E. Doherty 7 A. McClafferty 8 K. Rafferty 9 J. Haran 10 K. Sharkey 11 C. Dunne 12 R. Wherity 13 D. McGinley 14 R. Kavanagh 15 B. Devenney Subs used M. Martin for Brennan P. O'Doherty for Sharkey P. McGowan for McGinley K. Winston for Devenney J. Bradley for Doherty Manager ? M. McGeehin v t e St Eunan's – 2009 Donegal Senior Football Champions (12th title) 1 D. Martin 2 E. Brennan 3 M. Martin 4 A. McClafferty 5 D. McClafferty 6 K. Ryan 7 C. Greene 8 J. Haran 9 K. Rafferty 10 M. McGowan 11 C. Dunne 12 R. Kavanagh 13 C. Morrison 14 B. Devenney (c) 15 D. McGinley Subs used E. Doherty for D. McClafferty (8') C. Gibbons for Morrison (51') A. Marren for McGinley (60') B. McDermott for Devenney (60') Manager ? M. McGeehin v t e St Eunan's – 2012 Donegal Senior Football Champions (13th title) 1 J. P. Clarke 2 E. Brennan 3 M. Martin 4 C. Parke 5 P. Devine 6 E. Doherty 7 K. Rafferty 8 J. Haran 9 R. Kavanagh 10 L. McMonagle 11 C. Dunne 12 M. McGowan 13 C. Gibbons 14 R. Wherity 15 S. McVeigh Subs used D. McClafferty for Brennan (19') D. McGinley for Gibbons (42') C. Sharkey for Parke (57') Joint managers E. O'Boyle, B. Devenney Coach: M. McGeehin v t e St Eunan's – 2014 Donegal Senior Football Champions (14th title) 1 S. Daffan 2 C. Parke 3 M. Martin 4 C. Morrison 5 C. Ward 6 E. Doherty 7 D. Mulgrew 8 K. Rafferty 9 R. Kavanagh (c) 10 C. Gibbons 11 C. Dunne 12 S. McVeigh 13 R. Carr 14 J. Haran 15 S. Hensey Subs used M. McGowan for Rafferty (9') D. Gallagher for Martin (40') Manager M. Curran

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [John Haran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Haran) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Haran?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.