Finn started his Gaelic football as a schoolboy at Facefield National School before further developing at St Colman's College in Claremorris.
[2] By this stage, Finn had also started playing ata dult level with the Mayo Gaels club.
Finn first appeared for Mayo as a member of the minor team that won the Connacht MFC title in 1980.
He was later drafted onto the under-21 team and, as well as winning consecutive Connacht U21FC titles, also claimed an All-Ireland U21FC medal in 1983.
[5] During that time, he won five Connacht SFC medals and was at left wing-back when Mayo were beaten by Cork in the 1989 All-Ireland final.