Donegal President XV emerges victorious
in 30th Anniversary Match by The Rucker

Donegal Town Presidents XV 28 - Co.Donegal Invitation XV 22

We had a good day, a good match and the chance to renew old acquaintances when Donegal Town Rugby Club celebrated their 30th Anniversary with an over 30’s match at the Holmes.
There were plenty of old faces around. Parking was restricted to the main car park, with the clubhouse car park restricted to zimmer frames only.
It was nice to see a large number of old players and acquaintances, such as founder members Jack Ramsey and Charlie McGinty. We had a good sprinkling of players from the 1970’s such as Pat McGee, Rory O’Donnell, Frank Ward, George Mayberry, Paddy Meehan, Tom Morrow and many many more.
The day kicked off - tag rugby under Ronan Sweeney with some 50 under 12 boys and girls from the rugby club and Mountcharles showing the grown-ups how to play.
This was followed by a rather innovative demonstration of grass sowing by Robert Morrow. Robert went through his full range of skills which included backhand sowing, forehand sowing - and left the crowd in raptures with one very thrilling solo run down the right touch-line.
The Donegal Presidents XV under Jim McLaughlin dispensed with the pre-match warm-up in their enthusiasm to get into action. Fashion gurus would have spotted immediately a fetching pair of Stanley Matthews style zip-up shorts worn by Lynn Temple. They will come back into fashion, but possible not until the Centenary celebrations in 2074.
Donegal fielded the two babies of the game in the front row of the scrum in Gary Prenderville and Gregory McGrory and it was left to hooker Keith Anderson to look after them and hold them up in the scrums.
There was no quarter spared in the match and Donegal opened the scoring when John Walsh burst over for a try that Joyce McMullin converted. Co. Donegal struck back and Alan McCrea raced into the 22. He just managed to evade Liam Brown (who was also trying to evade him) and passed to Karl Quinn who crossed in the corner.
Matt Gallagher almost scored in the right hand corner before Fenton broke clear to put Ken Vaughan over. By this time McMullin had departed on the election trail and McLaughlin took over the kicking duties and promptly bisected the posts to give the locals a 14-5 lead.
Shane Toolin blew for half time and Donegal Town used the full complement of substitutes with the County Selection introducing Donegal man Po Leauvasa.
After half-time, scrum-half Pauric Gillespie (playing in his 28th consecutive season of rugby) put Paddy Barry away and Barry fed Ken Vaughan on the angle and Ken crossed for his second try that he converted himself to make the score 21-5.
Co.Donegal struck back with two fine tries from Michael Lidgate, one of which was converted by Boyd Robinson to narrow the margin to 21-17.
We had some exciting moments with Des Daly doing a few of his soft-shoe shuffles, last seen in the 1980’s. He even sent wee Charlie McGinty in the wrong direction and Charlie was only doing touch judge. No doubt referee Shane Toolin will have benefited from McGinty’s interpretation of the rules.
John Walsh sealed the match for Donegal when he took the direct route straight through the opposing pack of forwards, looked for support, then realised that it was unlikely he would get any. John wove his way past the full back and touched down. Vaughan converted and despite a late try by Po Leauvasa, the home side ran or probably staggered out comfortable winners.
The teams were as follows.
Donegal Town Presidents XV. Gregory McGrory, Keith Anderson, Gary Prenderville, Sean Gillespie, John Walsh, Larry McCaughan, Tony Byrne, Peter Fenton, Pauric Gillespie, Jim McLaughlin(capt), Liam Brown, Ken Vaughan, Matt Wilson, Joyce McMullin, Matt Gallagher. Subs. Trevor Lyttle, Paul Gillespie, Conor Reid, Des Daly, George Mayberry, Lynn Temple, Brendan Malone, Paddy Barry, Kevin Sinclair, Declan Gallagher, Kevin Gillespie, Joe Cawley
Co.Donegal Selection. Paul Gallagher, Frankie O’Donnell, Brendan Carr, Michael McGarvey, John Harkin, Michael Lidgate, Jim McLaughlin, Denis Faulkner, Boyd Robinson, Karl Quinn, William Colgate, Austin McMahon, Alan McCrea(Capt), Robert Love, Gary Coll. Subs. Po Leauvasa. Referee Shane Toolin.
After the game, John Walsh for Donegal Town and Michael Lidgate for Co.Donegal were selected as the respective men of the match for their teams.
Ronan Sweeney was chosen as the ‘First team player of the Year’ with Joe McInaw winning the second team award and Rory Meehan the best newcomer. Top try scorer was Jimmy Brogan and Sean Gillespie was chosen as ‘Club Person of the Year’.
I’ll close with a little story. In the 1974-1975 season Donegal Town captured the Boyle Cup for the first time when they beat Letterkenny 15-9. I see from the match report that Donegal player Henry Patterson was described by the newspaper in error as ‘Henry Robinson’
In the same report it states that ‘Trevor Howard’ kicked a penalty. Even back in those days, they recognised my film star qualities!
After the match Donegal Town captain, Niall Fitzpatrick promised to present medals to the Donegal team. Niall got the medals, but with one thing and another they were never presented.

Dunkineely Celtic Golf Classic

The club recently held their second golf classic at Narin and Portnoo Golf Club. This was a most successful event thanks to the sponsors and the players who took part.
The sponsors were: McGuire’s Bar, Dunkineely; Mary Murrin’s Bar, Bruckless; Martin McNern; Donegal Camera Centre; Mac’s Bar, Dunkineely; McIntyre’s Bar, Dunkineely; Four Lanterns; Ringfort Inn; Norfish Ltd; Galvin’s Bar Dunkineely; Errigal Fish; K/F Furnishings; Michael Hartnett; North West Alarms; Anthony Tindall; Castlemurray House Hotel; AIB Killybegs; Swan Net Gundry; Paddy Breslin Construction; S&R Motors; Shovlin Marine; Anderson Auctioneers; Rory’s Auto Spares; Baskin’s Café; Gallagher Marine, Jack McGroarty, Donegal; Anthony Steel, Dunkineely, Donegal Tyre Centre; Pat the Cope Gallagher TD; Meehan’s Taxis Dunkineely; McGettigan’s Butcher’s, Donegal; Classic Casuals; Dunnion’s Auto Spares; Dunnion’s Bar Donegal; Dom’s Pier 1; The Reveller Donegal, Emerald Trading Co.; Mac’s Seafood Dunkineely; Dinny McGinley TD, Mary Coughlan TD; Long Communications Dunkineely; Hollybush Bar, Killybegs; Urlar Marquetry, Kilcar; Mc Guinness Hardware, Killybegs; Inver Oil; Gallagher’s Spar Bruckless.
The Annual Presentation Night took place in Mac’s Bar on May 28th. Award winners were ‘Player of the Year’ Philip Duddy, ‘Young player of the Year’ Jason Armstrong, ‘Top Scorer’ Adrian Ward and ‘Hall of Fame’ award Seamus Mc Callig.
The Annual General Meeting was held in McIntyre’s Bar on June 1st. Officers elected were Chairman Gerry Rodgers, Ass Chairman Seamus McCallig, Secretary George McMullin, Ass Secretary Sinead Mc Intyre, Treasurer Margaret Duddy, Ass Treasurer Bill Nesbitt. Team Manager for the coming season is Aiden Duddy with Seamus McNern as his assistant.

Our Harps beat on by Brendan Grufferty

New faces, old problems, managerial change - and my place in the sun

There is no doubt that these are interesting times as Finn Park. Finn Harps are in a rich vein of form, on the playing field at least, with their fourth consecutive win following a convincing victory over Dundalk at Finn Park on Friday night. It’s a very strange season indeed. As I mentioned previously there appears to be an eternal optimism and belief amongst hardcore Harps support, an optimism that sustains that support even where suffering is administered in equal measure. This optimism was severely tested at the start of this season with the retirement of quality players such as Johnny Kenny and Donal O’Brien, both of whom were still capable of providing good service for another season at least. My feeling was we would miss Johnny Kenny most, and with no out-field replacements being made in the close season, you had the distinct feeling Harps would suffer this year.
The harsh reality of the situation was brought thundering home when Harps were beaten surprisingly by lowly Kilkenny City away on the first day of the season. It was a very poor performance by Harps and Kilkenny City deserved the win. This result was followed by poor performances against Limerick City, Cobh Ramblers and Bray Wanderers. While Harps were gathering points, the problem was deep rooted, most notably a lack of cover in the middle of the park after Donal O’Brien’s retirement. The resignation of Noel King further compounded the woes of everybody associated with Harps. Few felt the problem could be resolved from within.
With the appointment of Felix Healy, a local team emerged. Felix gave an opportunity to fringe players, most notably Martin Ferry, Gary Crossan,“Wee Wizzy” Shaun McGowan and Chris Breen. While the problem has far from been solved, it is a breath of fresh air to see local players make the grade and bodes well for the future of soccer in Donegal. It provides a welcoming encouragement for young players to take up the game.
It’s somewhat ironic that the greatest threat to the future of Finn Harps i.e. UEFA Licensing, could actually see, at long last, the commencement of a youth development policy, which may actually see the survival of Finn Harps F.C. Isn’t it amazing how the men at the top manage to turn this into their own personal triumph, wee glory hunters, when in actual fact I’m chatting about ‘survival’ here. That’s an issue for another day - an issue I intend to expand on.
The coming weeks should see the introduction of a few new faces at Finn Park with names like Andy Crawford (striker), Anthony Gorman (midfield) and Ivan Sproule (midfield) been whispered in the terraces. One new arrival of late has been former Harps player and Limavady manager Eddie Saydak, who has been appointed as No.2 to Felix Healy and coach of the U-21 team. Eddie’s record has been impressive, leading Limavady to the Premier Division of the Irish League. His appointment is timely and further evidence that youth development is high on the priority list at Finn Park. The early signs are encouraging - so watch this space and get those football boots polished up.
Back to the football. On a beautiful evening for football, Harps welcomed Dundalk to Ballybofey. While I’ve mentioned the suffering endured by Harps fans, no scale imaginable could accurately measure what everybody connected with Dundalk F.C. have had to endure. With the much anticipated departure of Trever Anderson, it was left to former Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne star Jim Gannon to revive the club’s fortunes. His first game saw a 6-0 thrashing against promotion favourites Bray Wanderers. The struggle continued in Ballybofey with Harps goals from Declan Boyle and Chris Breen, his first goal for the club (It was a great build up and effort by Breen, it may well have been credited as an own goal). The performance of Chris and Shaun McGowan was impressive, while at the back Eloka Asokuh returned to bolster a rapidly improving defence. The mood wasn’t seriously dampened by a penalty miss by Kevin McHugh. It’s been a difficult season for the Harps hotshot. It never ceases to amaze me how fickle support can be, as people have been all too quick to jump on McHugh’s back given his recent form, without actually recognising the real reason for Kevin’s lack of success. I guess recognising that fact might curb their satisfaction in administering such criticism. The fact of the matter is Kevin McHugh is a legend at Finn Park at such a tender age. His goal to game ratio is staggering with 83 goals in 150 starts. In any league, in any country, that record is remarkable and long may Kevin McHugh remain at Harps. The point that his critics have failed to recognise has been McHugh’s “real” lack of support up-front. His strike partners this season have included central defender Shane Bradley, among others. I believe, given the right partner up front, i.e. a natural striker - Kevin McHugh will go on to be Harps record goal scorer.
Away from Finn Park, the managerial merry-go-round continues. It won’t surprise too many of you (If anybody reads my articles) that Gavin Dykes and Derry City have parted company. Why the man was appointed in the first place remains a mystery. Derry City are second from bottom of the premier division having hit the back of the net only 5 times in 13 games. (They haven’t scored in their last 6 games) Dykes’ resignation therefore is not surprising and I can’t see too many clubs prepared to take a further gamble with him.
Finally, may I say how delighted I am to hear of Patsy McGowan’s recovery after his recent heart surgery. The guy is a legend and it’s great to see a return to his regular ranting and raving in Thursdays Democrat. I can’t say I would subscribe to all of his views but it’s great to see him back and I would like to wish him many years of health and well-being. More of the same please - however bizarre it sounds.
Did I say, finally - you wish!! Well, finally, for a while. At the time of print, I’ll be sunning myself in Croatia, enjoying a hard earned break. It isn’t easy following Harps. I’ll have my fingers crossed that results continue to go our way, starting at Cobh. I’ve no doubt they will because I’ve put ‘my house’ on Harps getting promoted. Hold on, I’ve withdrawn that gamble, I’m mad, not crazy - and it’s not my house. God knows I might even come back to learn a decision has been reached on the future of Finn Park, or at least the boys at the top may have decided to sit down to have talks about talks. Yeah right. Well, at least I miss the elections!!!!!!

Brendan Grufferty is secretary of Donegal Town and District Finn Harps Supporters Club. For any information in relation to the Supporters Club or for anybody wishing to join it, further information may be got by contacting Brendan on 086 1731757, Andrew on 086 3853310 or Pauline at 087 7943635.