Ex-Termonators to Prevail in County Final

By Sean Dunnion

Next Sunday in Mac Cumhaill Park will see the novel pairing of Four Masters and Termon contest the 2003 Senior Championship Final. Both sides have been impressive on their way to the final,t with Termon without doubt being the surprise packet of this year’s championship.
In the first round Termon ousted Killybegs, a draw in the home leg before they turned in a tremendous performance in Fintra to advance to the quarter-final. They then knocked out hot favourites Dungloe before coming to Tir Chonaill Park for a semi-final against Mac Cumhaills. Unbelievably Termon knocked in four goals in the first half to lead by 4-07 to 0-06 at the break. But Mac Cumhaills responded in the second period and indeed Termon were just holding on at the final whistle to win by 4-08 to 2-11 to qualify for their first ever senior final.
Masters, on the other hand, have been knocking on the door for a number of years after being the most successful underage club in the county for more than a decade. The Masters reached the 2001 final but were defeated by a more experienced St. Eunan’s side on that occasion. In fact that was their first appearance in a decider since 1985, having previously won the championship in 1982 and 1984. This year’s campaign has been impressive, accounting for neighbours St. Naul’s in the first round. This brought about another tilt against St. Eunan’s but the underdogs rose to the challenge to win by four points. In the semi-final Ardara were the fancied side but again Four Masters produced a fine performance for a 1-08 to 0-07 victory.
The Masters will probably go into Sunday’s final as slight favourites but the Termon challenge cannot be underestimated. They have shown great character to reach this stage of the championship and have impressive players such as the Alcorn brothers, veteran Tommy Ryan and their ace forward Kevin Mc Menamin. However, Four Masters have known the pain of defeat in recent years and this coupled with their greater experience will hopefully see the Dr. Maguire Cup come through the Gap for the first time in nineteen years.

Local man on Podium in Irish Super

Moto Championship

Round 6 of the Irish Super Moto Championship was held at St. Angelo’s Airport, Enniskillen last Saturday and Sunday with local man Seamus Muldon hoping to do well in what was classed as his local event. Saturday was spent qualifiying for grid positions with all slower riders going into a final of their own. Despite the changing conditions, Seamus qualified for both 450cc finals and both prestige finals, mainly thanks to the good work of his pit crew.
Sunday’s racing started at 12.30 sharp with the first of the 450cc finals. Starting in the second row of the grid, Seamie got off to a slow start and dropped back in the pack but as the race got into its second half, he was starting to make his move. But the race was red flagged and the result stood and a good ninth place was in the bag.
Race two was the prestiges in which bikes of any size engine were allowed to compete, Seamie was on the third row of the grid, despite riding a smaller bike than the rest. Once again the start was his downfall when he stalled on the line and ended up last of the bunch in 30th place. Despite this, Seamie put the head down and slowly started making his way through the field, taking a rider on each lap. By the end of the race Seamie was in a staggering seventh place, in what was described as the drive of the day by race director, Sam McMinn.
Next up was the 450cc second final and this time, after a good start, Seamie ended up in fourth place just behind the winners. Confidence was now high and with the Prestige final left a good result was likely.
Once again a good start was had and he gained a few places from the third row of the grid and after a steady ride finished with a fifth place.
When all results were added up, the announcement was made that Seamie was third overall at the meeting. First podium finish and first bottle of champagne for this very talented young man from Donegal Town.

All Ireland Champs in Town

Hardworking Abbey Staff - Jenna Barrett, Paddy Kelly and Patricia Wilson welcome and congratulate Mickey Harte

Great excitment last Tuesday morning when the Tyrone squad surfaced from their slumbers and came down to mingle with fans and media in the foyer of the Abbey Hotel. Recorders were thrust under the noses of Mickey Harte, Peter Canavan and other Red-Hand stars, while cameras flashed as assorted radio and newspaper types vied to garner the best images of the newly crowned All-Ireland champions.
While children from Gael Scoil Na gCeithre Maistri waited patiently to greet the Tyrone greats, local celebs mixed with the GAA faithfuls as the squad of players, mentors and loved ones prepared to depart for home.
Already running an hour late, up on Main Street, pupils of Scoil Aodh Ruadh agus Nuala, waited with anticipation for the calvacade to pass, using the time to enthustically cheer every vehicle that went by. When the two buses carring the entourage were spotted, near hysteria ensued. And, fair play, the coaches stopped and out stepped Mickey Harte and some of his stars to greet and sign autographs for pupils and teachers.
A great morning of excitment for Donegal Town. Well done to Jim White for his coup in enticing the All Ireland champs to come and stay - so soon after winning the title.

Successful year for Naomh Brid

In what has been a very successful year for Naomh Brid underage, two more titles were added to the collection recently. The U-14s winning the Division 2 County Championship and the U-12s winning the Willie Rogers tournament for the first time ever.
On Sunday 21st Naomh Brid U-14s were in MacCumhaill Park to try and add the Division 2 County Championship to the many other titles they have won this season. As in the County league final, Urris were the opposition but unlike the league final, this game was an absolute heart stopper. Naomh Brid came from the jaws of defeat to draw the match and send the game into extra time. In this period, they showed true fighting spirit emerge victorious. Winning the County Championship was the sixth title they have won in a very successful season. They won the County & Southern league titles earlier in the year and then added Donegal & Ulster Feile titles before winning the Southern Championship to set them up for this final appearance.
As the two teams lined out for the game, it was obvious that Naomh Brid would have to counteract the huge height advantage of the Urris midfielders who were both over six-feet tall. Naomh Brid started well with a goal and a free from the boot of Eoghan Gorman. Despite the positive start, Naomh Brid looked nervous as some passes started to go astray. Urris sensed the nervousness and capitalized on it, they started to win a lot of ball in the middle of the park and they had two nifty forwards who were giving the Naomh Brid defence all sorts of problems. Urris pulled themselves right back into the game and indeed but for some bad misses would have been in front at half time. As it was Naomh Brid added a few more points to remain in front by two points.
The second half was similar to the first, played at a frantic pace and at times over physical for under-14 football. Naomh Brid had obviously had a good team-talk at half time as they started well and stretched their lead but Urris started to dominate again and in a five-minute period goaled twice to they put them in the lead for the first time. Urris were in the ascendancy and Naomh Brid were struggling as Urris added a point to put them in the lead by four points. With less than ten minutes left things looked bad for Naomh Brid but they showed real grit and character in those last ten minutes.

Captain Conal Rooney led by example scoring a point following a fantastic run. The Urris lead was down to three and the large attendance really started to live on their nerves. Urris scored another point and Naomh Brid realistically needed a goal as time was running out. Conal Rooney & Paul McGrory had regained control around the middle of the park and were supplying the forwards with plenty of ball. Patrice Rooney broke through the Urris cover and her rasping shot cannoned of the crossbar and out to safety. It didn’t look like it was to going to happen but up popped Eoghan Gorman to send a fantastic shot to the top right hand corner of the net. Game on. There was now only the minimum between the teams. Naomh Brid fought relentlessly for the equalizer and were rewarded when they won a free in front of goals in injury time. Eoghan Gorman coolly slotted the ball over and the game was heading to extra-time.

Manager Sean Timoney had a stern team-talk during the interval and it seemed to work as Naomh Brid played brilliantly in extra-time. They seemed to lose the nervousness that had plagued them through the game and played to their full abilities. They scored 1-3 in the first period and kept Urris scoreless. The spirit of the Urris boys seemed to have been broken at last as Naomh Brid added a further 1-2 without reply during the second period. Naomh Brid were champions and there were great scenes of jubilation when Conal Rooney was presented with the winners plaque. It was a victory based on the never-say-die attitude of the entire team as they really played when they were behind and during extra-time. Their manager Sean Timoney and his helpers Sean, Declan, Eamon, Matt & Michael can be well pleased with this team as they had put in so much time with the team and undoubtedly the resilience they showed is a reflection of their influence.

Team: TJ.Gallagher, Jamie Timoney, Damien Loughlin, Dara McNulty, Clint Walsh, Thomas Gallagher, Frank McGirr, Paul McGrory, Conal Rooney, Eoghan Gorman, Gary McCafferty, Eoin Harron, Shane Walsh, James Walsh, Patrice Rooney: Subs Cathal Timoney, Alan McGirr, Darren Kilpatrick, Ciaran Brogan, Jamie Meah, Diarmid Magee

A big thank you to all the supporters who came out to cheer the team on & the Four Masters supporters who stayed on to watch their friends in a game that everyone lived through on their nerves and enjoyed immensely.

Under 12s win Willie Rogers Tournament
The day before, the U-12s created history when they won the Willie Rogers tournament in Ballyshannon for the first time ever. Aodh Ruadh, Calry(Sligo) & Melvin Gaels(Leitrim) provided the opposition with each game lasting half an hour. Aodh Ruadh were the first opponents, in a tight game Naomh Brid were winners 2-5 to 0-6. Scorers Kevin Timoney 1-2, Shane Walsh 1-0, Alan McGirr 0-2, Diarmid Magee 0-1. Next up were Calry and Naomh Brid were more convincing in this game winning 4-6 to 3-1. Eoin McFadden 2-1, Kevin Timoney 1-2, Jack Gallagher 0-2, Jason McGrory 0-1. As our boys and Melvin Gaels won their first two games, they both went through to the final. In the final the boys played very well with David Graham containing the big number six and Simon Meah controlling the defence. Naomh Brid ran out winners by 3-4 to 1-1. Captain Stephen Brady accepted the cup for his team and it was a fine way to cap of a successful season for the boys and their mentors Sean Magee, Declan Gallagher & Matt Gallagher. All panel members played their part in each game.
Team: Lorcan Boyle, Lee McGrory, Simon Meah, Liam Duffy, Diarmid Magee, Cian Gallagher, Mark McGrory, Alan McGirr, Stephen Brady, Ross Gallagher, David Graham, Jack Gallagher, Shane Walsh, Kevin Timoney, Jason McGrory, Eoin McFadden, Travis Price, Brendan Price.

A special thanks to all the parents who brought their children to Ballyshannon and stayed on to support in what turned out to be a long day for everyone.