Donegal Town Showjumping 11th Annual Show at Holmes venue a tremendous success

Anne Marie Gallagher, presents the Seamus Campbell Memorial Cup to Brian Quigley, Derry riding ‘Culmore Euro’ on behalf of Harvey’s Point Country Hotel, who kindly sponsored the event. Also in photo, Seamus Og Campbell, Show Chairman

Although clashing with another important sports event on Sunday 11th July i.e. The Ulster football final, Donegal Town’s annual showjumping event proved to be one of the most successful to date.
Staged on probably the best jumping surface in the country, the competitors from all over Ulster were delighted to return again to Billy Graham’s sports field at The Holmes. Incredibly after 12 continuous hours of jumping horses and ponies, hardly a hoof print was evident in the field. Congratulations to Billy and family for their diligent work in maintaining such a fine sports venue.
The jumping kicked off at 9.30 and continued non-stop with seven pony events. One of the first prize winners was a grandson of Donegal Town exile and ex-Bank of Ireland Manager, Luke Nangle, in the shape of young Sean, who shared 1st prize in the 128cm CD event on his pony ‘Dejavu’, much to the delight of his proud dad Jimmy.
An exciting jump-off against the clock in the 128cm ABC event saw young Emma Smyth from Victoria Bridge, Strabane riding ‘Redford Mayfly’ pip James McMahon from Rosslea, Co. Fermanagh riding ‘It Takes Two Baby’, by only 3 seconds.
This year’s show included two Millstreet Qualifiers and Jimmy McCloskey from Berry managed to qualify 2 of his horses, ‘Kyoto’ and ‘Connoisseur’ along with Richard Smyths’ ‘Ballyrobin Clover’ and Alex Hynds’ ‘Joyce’s Girl’.
The 90cm Horse class saw 10 share 1st prize with double clears. These included two for St. Johnston’s Kelda Morgan on ‘The Masters Maid’ and Aran Island and Donegal Town’s Martin McGowan on ‘Moonlite Shadow’. The 1 metre event finished with 8 double clears, including two from the Lenamore Stables, Lenamore Loftie and Lenamore Santiago and Carrigan’s Sarah Lapsley riding ‘Presley’.
The two feature events of the day were the 1.10m and the 1.20m and, as expected, these gave us great jumping and exciting jump-offs.
The 1.10m class proved very successful for Berry rider Paul Quigley as he finished 1st and 2nd and was presented The Brendan Boylan Memorial Cup for his fine win on ‘Culmore Diamond’.
Indeed, it turned out a great day for the Quigley family as Paul’s brother Brian won the 1.20m class for the second year running on his great horse ‘Culmore Euro’. Annemarie Gallagher presented The Seamus Campbell Memorial Cup to Brian on behalf of Harvey’s Point Country Hotel, Donegal Town, who generously sponsored this class.
Midway during the days event the Show Committee made a special presentation to Jimmy McCloskey, Berry, in recognition of his wonder horse, ‘Mister Springfield’, being selected to compete at this years Olympics in Athens. It will be ridden by Britain’s Robert Smith, son of the legendary Harvey.
Another presentation was made to the Course Builder for the day, John Chambers from Omagh, who has been invited to officiate at the showjum ping in Athens also - a great honour indeed.
Both Jimmy and John have long been associated with The Donegal Town Show and Show Secretary Jane Higgins presented the two lads with beautiful inscribed silver platters.
The committee would like to thank all our sponsors who year after year continue to generously support showjumping in the area.
These include: Harvey’s Point Country Hotel; Glebe Builders; The Olde Castle Bar; Donegal Town Hardware and DIY; Rossa McCosker; OC Bookmakers; James Likely Ltd; Martin Howley; Keown Carpets and Flooring; Donegal Tyre Centre; McIntyre Service Station; Intesys; Donegal Creameries PLC; SuperValu; Pier 1; Roadstone Provinces Ltd; White Hotel Group; Rory’s Auto Spares; Bank of Ireland; Ulster Bank; McGinley Motors; Kelco Communications
Finally, the Showjumping Committee would like to thank everyone who helped to make this year’s show a great success, especially all the volunteers who worked so hard on the day, building fences, judging, making tea, directing traffic, etc.. We are also indebted to Donegal Town Rugby Club, Billy Graham and Family, Donegal Creameries, Dermot Maguire, Donegal Co. Council, Robert Ellis Ashtree Garden Centre, Finn Valley A.C., Donegal Town Hardware and Conor Sinclair, Photographer.

Congratulations

Killymard United Football Club (KUFC)

Congratulations to Sylvester Swaray (Manager) and Mick McGonigle (asst. Manager) of the KUFC U13 squad, for winning the U13 League and being runners-up in the Cup competitions 2004.
Also heartiest congrats to the panel of players, boys and girls, who worked so hard at training on a regular basis and who demonstrated with enthusiasm our Club motto of ‘fun, fairness and fitness’.
It has been 11 years since KUFC won this Competition, which is organised by The South Donegal Schools League (photo below). KUFC would like to take the opportunity to thank most sincerely all those who continue to give so generously of their time to make sure underage competitions are arranged and organised, year in and year out. Thank you SDSL and referees and sponsors.

Killymard U13 squad celebrating in Legends Snooker and Pool Hall in Main Street. Back Row: Derek Walker, Sean O’Kennedy, John Corley, Michael Quinn, Rory Quinn, Declan McGroary, Aiden Cassidy (Proprietor Legends), Conor Rushe, Ann O’Shea, Daniel Darby, Leanne Wilson, Amanda Gallagher, Cara Coyle. Front: Shane McIntyre, Jamie White, Damien Campbell, Lee Morrow, Billy Wilson, James McGroary, Aaron Coyle, Alex McNeilis, Johnny Morrow, Brian Willis, Glen Curristan, Shane McNulty. Absent: Darren McBrearty, Chris Culloo, Shane Gallagher, Aaron Daly, Conor Earley and Martin Gillespie.

Donegal Golf Club Murvagh

John Meehan (Mountcharles) is now a leading contender for the golfer of the year title after winning the White Hotel Group 3 day stableford event over the August Bank Holiday Weekend at Murvagh.
John has challenged for many events this year including the Captain’s prize and was in fourth place for the overall standings going into the weekend. Now playing off single figures, John shot 18 pts in Saturday’s brilliant sunshine to claim the overall award.
Despite the excellence of his score, he had only a point to spare over the classic specialist, Hugh Dillon, who won Saturday’s prize. Hugh’s handicap got some remededial attention recently from a handicap committee, but Hugh took the additional medicine and now plays of eight.
Pauric Mullooly, who is also in a rich vein of form, banked Sundays prize, while Eamon Cassidy is making his case for conclusion again in the Woods’ Classic team with victory on Monday.
Last weekend Omagh’s Denis Mc Laughlin (14) scraped in ahead of our leading golfer John Neary (2) on a break of tie on 70 nett in the Seven Arches Bar, Laghey, sponsored event. Eddie McGarrigle also beat Pauric Mullooly, who is featuring for the third week in succession in the prizes, on 72 net.
The Lady president’s (Mrs Margaret Buckley) prize for the men was competed for on Sunday in terrible weather conditions in the morning, although the afternoon cleared up. One of the young lions, Edward Canney (13), won easily on 70 nett.
Golfer of year contender and former captains and Murvagh Masters winner, Strabane’s Denis Kelly, was around in even par 73 to take the runner-up award, a shot ahead of town colleague, Pat Corry.

Team News
The good news on the team front is that last weekend ‘McGinty’s Marvels’ got the required matches away to Cavan Golf Club to qualify for the semi-finals of the Ulster Fourball.
The foundations were laid the previous weekend when they whitewashed Cavan winning all five matches. Roy Harron and Ivan Stewart won 3 and 2, while John Sinclair and George Hunter won 1 up as did Sean Diver and Dave Hanna. John Hanna and John McNamara did win eventually after five hours, 3 and 2
On being asked why it was necessary to finish in the dark, John remarked “I had to drag them down to my level” Joe Cannon and Charlie Breslin had the biggest victory winning 5 and 4. Joe has a new method to demoralize the opposition, he knocked his tee shot into deep rough at the 13th and then sledged his recovery shot into the hole for birdie.
The matches were called in at Cavan when Ivor Stewart and Roy Harron went 4 up with four to play and John Sinclair and George Hunter were six up with six to play. But pride of place in Cavan went to Flipper who is now a rival to Ian Poulter as the fashion icon of the golfing circuit.
The bi-annual golf classic organised by Eddie McGarrigle, Joe Gillespie, Michael Neary and Pauric Farragher raised just over €700 to support the Donegal Hospice.
The Thomas Carr led team of Brian Nielan and Eamon Hone were the surprising winners with a fantastic score of 89 stableford points, as there were only two counters at each hole.
The new classic specialists, Dylan Davitt, Joe and Eddie O’Connor, representing the Sandhouse Hotel, Rossnowlagh, took the runner-up award on break of tie on 87 pts from Michael McGroarty, Darren McDaid and Pat Brogan.
Golfer of the year points position July 31st
1. O’Connor, Hugh (8) 306; 2. McGinty, Charlie (19) 282; 3. Kelly, Denis (11) 238; 4. Meehan, John (8) 200; 5. Sweeney, Peter (20) 194; 6. Neary, John (2) 194; 7. Neary, Tom (5) 190; 8. Roche, Oliver (5) 188; 9. Irwin, Terry (5) 184; 10. Canney, Edward (13) 182; 11.Diver Sean (14) 182; 12 Irwin, Sydney (11) 178; 13 Hamilton, Ross (13) 176; 14. Corry, Pat (7) 172;15 Canney, Eamonn (10) 172.
White’s Hotel Group – August Bank Holiday Weekend: Winner, John Meehan (9) 42 pts;

Saturday: 1. Hugh Dillon (9) 41 pts; 2. Tom Neary (5) 40pts; Sunday: 1. Padraig Mullooly (14) 38pts; 2. Liam Casidy (19) 37pts; 3. John Gartland (5) 37pts;

Monday: 1. Eamonn Cassidy (14) 38pts; 2. John Neary (2) 38pts; Gross, John Neary (2) 34pts.
Seven Arches Bar Laghey – Saturday 7th:
1. Denis McLaughlin (14) 70; 2. John Neary (2) 70; 3. Eddie McGarrigle (7) 72; 4. Pauric Mullooly (13) 72; Gross Terry Irwin (5) 78
Lady President (Mrs M Buckley) prize to men
1. Edward Canney (13)70; 2. Denis Kelly (11) 73; 3. Pat Corry (7 ) 74; 4. Michael Neary (8) 76; Gross Jimmy Higgins (7) 82.