SPEAKING FROM THE HART

12 July 2024 No Comments by The Northern Standard

COLM SHALVEY

Former Celtic striker John Hartson was in Castleblayney last Friday, appearing at Watters’ Old Coach Inn to kick off the local festival weekend. Appearing in the Old Coach Inn through Castleblayney man Keith Hill’s Peak Top Agency, the affable Welshman, who played in the English Premier League with clubs such as Arsenal and West Ham United, is best known for his trophy-laden time with Celtic, having scored 110 goals for the Hoops between 2001 and 2006. In July 2009, Hartson was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which had also spread to his lungs and brain. As detailed in his 2010 biography Please Don’t Go: Big John’s Journey Back to Life, John came to the brink of death before his treatment even began after contracting pneumonia, ceasing to breathe and undergoing emergency brain surgery.

After 67 chemotherapy sessions and two brain operations, his treatment was successful and he later began the John Hartson Foundation, which aims to increase awareness of testicular cancer and has so far raised over a million pounds to support those whose lives are affected by cancer. Funds were raised on the night for young Crossmaglen GAA player Caolán Finnegan, who is undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer.

As well as his health travails, Hartson has spoken openly and honestly about his ongoing recovery from a gambling addiction, which were among the topics he discussed in the Old Coach Inn with Northern Sound’s Seán McCaffrey and during a Q&A session with Celtic fans from all around the region. The 51- times-capped Welsh international spoke about the highs and lows of his playing career and his subsequent work in coaching and media. He pinpointed Martin O’Neill as the most influential manager he had played for and Arsenal and Celtic legends Dennis Bergkamp and Henrik Larsson as….

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