Orchard County make Donegal

eat humble (apple) pie

Michael Hegarty outruns an Armagh player down the Cusack stand sideline Photo: Jason McGarrigle

Armagh in 11th Heaven

Armagh 3-15 v Donegal 0-11

Awesome Armagh fired home three textbook goals to polish off their eleventh Ulster SFC title in the novel surroundings of Croke Park in convincing fashion against a less than dynamic Donegal side, in front of over 67,000 fans at Croke Park.
In coasting to their fourth Ulster SFC title win in the last six years, the Orchard County were home and hosed by the 65th minute with Stephen McDonnell and Paddy McKeever combining for the latter to skilfully slide the ball under the advancing Donegal ‘keeper Durcan, for the clinching score.
Armagh’s overall display was most impressive and Joe Kernan’s men have set themselves up as the team to beat in the race for the Sam Maguire Cup. Armagh started like an express train and were 0-4 to 0-0 in front after barely 12 minutes, with the elusive Stephen McDonnell accounting for a fine brace. Dominating midfield, providing excellent deliveries forward and very sharp up front, Armagh continued to dictate the tempo of the game and easily triumph in the physical exchanges.

Donegal Bay Sub Aqua Club Notes

It was that time of the year again: the annual camping/diving trip to Portnoo and Rosbeg was upon us. Vans, jeeps, cars and even a lime green vintage camper-van were packed to full capacity with tents, sleeping bags, surfboards and the odd bit of diving gear!
Unfortunately, the Saturday dive had to be cancelled due to rough weather. Conditions leading up to the weekend were far from ideal with torrential rain and force 6-7 winds but, as luck would have it, the rain cleared up on the Saturday and, seeing as we couldn’t take to the water in our boats, we took to it on surfboards instead. Some people caught a few waves, while some waves caught a few people!
After that it was back to Rosbeg to plan Sunday’s dive and set up our little camping village on the grounds of Dawros Bay House. The club would like to extend thanks to the Molloy family for the hospitality shown every year we visit. After the odd beverage and a few short songs, it was off to bed “early” to rest for the dive ahead.
Sunday morning’s dive was well attended. Two boat loads of trainee and qualified divers set off from the pier for a pleasure dive. Water conditions were a bit on the choppy side but after a calm spot was found, everyone went on to have a great dive exploring all the gullies, ledges and fish life that was on offer. Maximum depth was 30mts and all divers arrived back safely.

The blessing of the boats was another successful fundraising event held last month at Mountcharles pier for the RNLI. We took part again this year by doing a diving demonstration, dropping divers off the boat out at sea and surfacing again at the pier - and also providing boat cover for the raft race.

The Donegal Town festival occurred last weekend. Ivan and company floated down the river catching runaway ducks from the cancer charity duck race. Thanks to all who helped out there.
Wednesday’s training dives will be at St. John’s Point for the month of July - ready for the water at 7pm. Schedules are available from Malcolm, Maura or on our website.
Many of our dive sites are weather dependant, so if there is any doubt ring with D.O.D. to check. The D.O.D is to ensure that O2 and first aid are available at dive site. If you are unable to D.O.D. please arrange a replacement and inform D.O.
The website has been revamped and the new address is www.donegalbay.org.
Any information about the club can be obtained from there.

Donegal Town man captures UK rugby title

On Wednesday 28th April, at Teddington, London, Cardiff Medicals 1st XV RFC played against Liverpool University in front of a capacity crowd, in a thrilling and closely contested match in the British Universities “BUSA” Cup Final. The Medicals narrowly defeated the “Beatle City” side - in a game which was virtually taken right “down to the wire”.
With Liverpool leading 12 points to Cardiff’s 11, coming up to the full time whistle, a kickable penalty was awarded in front of the opposition’s posts to the Welsh side. This was duly converted leaving the score 14-12 at full time.
The only Irishman on the Welsh team was Lyndon Meehan, Old Golf Course Rd, Donegal Town, who now currently holds the distinction of having two U.K. Colleges of Medicine Rugby Championships plus two UK National Universities Championship titles under his belt.
Cardiff Medicals players include 8 members of the current Welsh Universities National team and two former players from the England U18 squad, also players drawn from Llanelli, Bangor and Newport 1st XV’s. They came through the preliminaries/quarter/semi-finals against some of the acknowledged top sporting British Universities, virtually unbeaten.
Meehan - a final year student at Cardiff College of Medicine, a 1st XV player with Cardiff Medicals, is a veteran of these Rugby Union Championships at this stage, having been a member of the renowned Sports University, Cardiff UWIC team, which beat Loughborough University to win the 2000 U.K. BUSA Championships.