Ardara defeat MacCumhaills in County Final
to win Dr Maguire cup
Ardara Club officials, team management, and players celebrate the County Final win Photo by Jason McGarrigle
It took the Dr Maguire cup approx two hours from it left McCumhaill Park on Sunday evening until it arrived on the Diamond in Ardara. A cavalcade stretching over 3 miles arrived in Ardara at 9.00 p.m. amidst scenes of great jubiliation. The cavalcade took the Fintown route to Glenties where a great reception awaited the team and supporters as they made their way through the town. The people of Glenties turned out in huge numbers. On towards Ardara, bonfires lit the route as the cavalcade, led by a Garda escort approached the Hillhead. The Diamond was packed to greet their heros. M.C. for the evening was the very capable Bart Whelan who welcomed each player to the stage - led by their captain Damien Diver.
Damien told the large crowd how delighted he was to be part of such a great team and thanked them all for their huge effort and commitment since the beginning of the year. Club chairman, Larry Gallagher, stated what winning a County Championship meant to the parish of Ardara and enthused on the vibrancy of the club. He said that great work was being done at all levels of underage and on every aspect of the club.
Caoithaorleach, Bord Na Condae, Cathal O’Domhnaill, congratulated John McConnell, Damien Diver and the team on their success and complimented the club on its achievement. Finally, team manager, John McConnell congratulated his squad on their win but advised them that it was back to training as normal on Wednesday night. The team then made its way to the Nesbitt Arms Hotel for a meal and the celebrations went on into the wee small hours.
On Monday evening, members of the McCumhaill’s team arrived in Ardara to join the celebrations, as well as other players from different clubs around the county. The air of fun was evident during the day as the players mingled with locals and relived the championship of 2004 over again.
Later that day, a huge cavalcade left the church grounds and made its way to Rosbeg and into the Narin/Portnoo areas. Five of the panel members represent this area, Stephen McHugh, Johnny Herron, Kenneth Doherty, Peter McHugh, Pat Shovlin, as well as mentor, Eddie McLoone. Fires lit the route as they made their way, led by captain, Damien.
On Tuesday evening, the cavalcade completed the tour of the parish going up Cronkeerin, Meentinadea, Meenavally, Glengesh, Leamgowra, Stravalley, Maghera, Laconnell, Lr. Brackey and Loughross Point. There were great scenes of jubiliation throughout the parish, among young and old alike. The Dr. Maguire will visit the schools in the parish at a later date. The team is back training this Wednesday evening in preparation for the Ulster Club Championship in which they firstly take on the Down champions on Sunday 7th November in Ballybofey.
County final action: Bull (Andrew Bonner) gets a piggyback on midfielder Brendan Boyle
Photo by Jason McGarrigle
Local Derby
Donegal Town vs Letterbarrow is one-sided affair
Donegal Town's hat-trick hero, Aaron Slevin, slots the ball past Leterbarrow's 'keeper Frankie Connaghan in the town's thrilling 7-0 victory over a poor Letterbarrow side Photo by Jason McGarrigle
Donegal Town 7 Letterbarrow Celtic 0
Legend has it that the late Brian Clough would, on occassion, offer to clean a players boots if he considered him to have played particularly well. If the Donegal Town management were to follow Mr. Clough’s example, Peter Donaghey and Rory Dunlevy would have been very busy this week polishing boots, such was the quality of the Donegal Town performance in this local derby.
It’s no newsflash to report that the game was played in wet, windy conditions, as it seems has every football game played in the county in this past month. The wind however played less of a role on this day than has been the case recently, thankfully.
Donegal got off to a dream start. Within the first minute Benny Byrne made himself enough space inside the box to lift a shot over Frankie Conaghan into the top right hand corner to give Donegal Town the lead.
Encouraged by getting off the mark so quickly, Donegal Town settled immediately and proceeded to dominate the first half. Aaron Slevin, having just returned from holiday, showed no obvious signs of jet lag, netted a first half hat-trick. One of Aaron’s great strengths is his surging runs into the box from the centre of midfield and indeed all three goals came from such runs. The first of the three came about as a result of some great work by Ringo Cannon on the right wing, when he beat the offside trap and squared for Aaron who calmly slotted home. Ringo Cannon again played no small part in the second with Ringo and Kevin indulging in a little head tennis before the ball finally dropped to Aaron who again made no mistake. He completed his hat-trick just before half time when his shot squeezed under the diving Conaghan.
In the meantime Paul McHugh had scored when meeting a beautifully flighted Daniel McGarrigle corner at the back post with a powerful header which flew in off the post.
5-0 at half time and the game as a contest was practically over but, all credit, Letterbarrow, who were missing several key players, never stopped and the second half was a much more evenly matched affair. Donegal were knocked off their stride for the first 20 minutes of the second half as Letterbarrow came more into the game, Mark Leonard and John McGroary working very hard in midfield, while John McLoone never gave up, but they were unable to break down the Donegal defence.
At this stage Donegal introduced Shane Sweeney and ‘Tino’ Gallagher, who was making his debut for the side. This lifted Donegal again and, within a few minutes, Shane Sweeney sent Benny Byrne clear to make it 6-0, before Shane himself scored with a superb chip from 25 yards to complete the tally.
This was an uncharacteristically easy win for Donegal over their local rivals and they are under no illusions that the return match at Frosses will be a much tougher propositon. Letterbarrow, who are awaiting the return of several of their stongest players, will provide much stiffer opposition next time out.
Donegal for their part were delighted with the three points as they maintain their strong start to the season and the form of a number of players is particularly encouraging. Aaron Slevin maintained his impressive start to the season and full back Declan Barr, who along with carrying out his defensive dutuies admirably, is equally important going forward and the springboard of a lot of the Donegal attacks.
Intermediate County Final
St Nauls side defeated by Buncrana in poor final
Eddie and Colm Gallagher stop a Buncrana player in his tracks Photo by Jason McGarrigle
It just was not to be for St Nauls as they lost their Sixth Intermediate final yesterday against Buncrana. It was never going to be easy for them without the services of Andrew Gallagher who was suspended and Stephen Griffin who wasn’t fit enough to start the match after recovering from an illness.
St Nauls started very well when they took the lead early on when Brian McCabe pointed after a good knock down by Cookie Meehan. Then Seamie Cannon was brought down after he got past his man and Tom Dunleavy put the free sailing over the bar. After all the possession, Nauls had in this half they just could not score. Then Buncrana clawed their way back into the game with Nigel Buchanen and Ryan Bradley pointing to leave the score 0-2 each at half time.
In the second half Buncrana went straight up the field and got a slippery goal when Ryan Bradley shot through a bunch of players and the ball trickled in over the line. This was the turning point of the game as Nauls were shell-shocked and Buncrana then hit a purple patch with three points without reply coming from Odhran Doherty, Buchanan and a Paul Mc Gonigle free. Nauls Captain Edward Gallagher scored the Nauls next point and it lifted his troops for a while. They tried hard for a goal but it just wasn’t their day as the Buncrana keeper was in great form. Young Sub Stephen Griffin pointed what was to be Nauls final score of the game with 5 minutes left on the clock. Buncrana went up the field and Ryan Bradley and Christopher Bell finished the scoring for Buncrana in the final few minutes.
The final score read Buncrana 1-7 St Nauls 0-4. Sean Paul McHugh
Donegal Town Basketball Club
The season is now up and running and both the men’s and ladies teams participated at the recent blitz at Letterkenny IT’s new gym. The ladies team, under the expert tutelage of Bill Collins, will be happier with their day’s work, eventually losing the final in what was a very close encounter against Letterkenny Comets.
Having been drawn in what many considered to be the more difficult group, the girls went out and showed exactly how basketball should be played, dominating their own boards, hitting the opposition on the fast break and hustling for every loose ball. They blitzed Killybegs in the opening quarter, running up an eight-point lead with some excellent outside shooting from Yvonne Bushell. The old heads of Killybegs managed to “fight” their way back into the game, but the girls showed great resilience to hold out for an excellent first victory. In their next match, against Kilcar, they fell behind, briefly caught out by Kilcar’s man-to-man defence, however, once again they showed their steel, Ciara Buggy and Suzie Harte added the finishing touches to some fast breaks to earn themselves a semi-final with Milford. This was a rather more straightforward affair as their fast paced game ensured they ran out comfortable winners.
Having played two games in quick succession the girls ultimately ran out of steam against the Comets. That they have the beating of them is not in doubt, they ran up an 11-2 lead in the first quarter, unfortunately fatigue got the better of them in the second as they allowed the Comets back into the game. Louise Rooney was outstanding under the boards throughout, Finola Shannon was a constant menace from outside, and Rachel Cranwell, Lisa Harte and Sarah Harte all pitched in with crucial scores to keep the game interesting, unfortunately, the Comets, with their bigger panel ran out winners by 34-26. Donegal team: Louise Rooney 6, Finola Shannon 5, Sarah Harte 4, Ciara Buggy 4, Suzie Harte 2, Rachel Cranwell 2, Yvonne Bushell 2, Lisa Harte 1.
The men’s team was less successful, despite the best efforts of William Timoney, Paul McHugh and Aidan Gallagher, twice they gave the opposition early, unassailable leads, twice they worked hard to get back into the match, twice they faded away to nothing. Happily there is plenty of time to rectify this as there is another three weeks before our first game.
Underage Training has been running for the past two weeks in the AVS gym. The turnout has been fantastic and the future for Basketball in the town looks excellent as there are some excellent players in the making. Training take place on Fridays in the AVS gym at the following times:
Age 7-9: 5.30-6.30pm, Age 10-13: 6.30-7.30, Senior Mens: 7.30-8.45, Senior Ladies: 8.45-9.45 There is a fee of two euros per person for all sessions to cover training costs.
Oliver Roche, our five handicapper from Omagh, was crowned the Murvagh Master on Sunday, after shooting 71 nett, an excellent score in Sunday’s conditions. The Masters can only be contested by all the winners during the sponsored year.
The overall winner of the weekend event was John Bell (who is Arizona bound to play the winter circuit shortly) who shot 68 on Saturday which I’m sure will reduce his twenty handicap.
The Roadstone Fourball the previous weekend was won by the 4 ball specialists Bob Dore and Joe Gillespie. Indeed Dore won the ‘Dirty Dozens’ September tour when they based themselves in and around Carlow Town.
Doorin’s John Meehan, an early leader in the golfer-of-the-year rankings, won the last event on the calendar, capturing the Thursday Specials singles competition with 35 pts in horrible weather. Indeed, with one event to go, it looks like the golfer of the year title will go to Hugh O’Connor as he has now a substantial lead.
26th September – Singles Stableford – Thursday Specials
Results: 1. John Meehan h/cap 8 score 35pts; 2. Alec Reid h/cap 28 score 32pts; 3. Colm Campbell h/cap 15 30pts; 4. Stephen Bell h/cap 10 29pts
2nd/3rd October – Four-ball Betterball Stableford – Roadstone Provinces Ltd. Winners – Joe Gillespie (12) & Bob Dore (18) 42pts: Saturday: 1. Dessie Noble (16) & John Bell (20) 38pts. Sunday: 1.Des Daly (12) & Hugh Cassidy (16) 41pts; 2. Michael McGroary (19) & Darren McDaid (6) 38pts (bot)
9th/10th October 2004 Competition Singles Stroke: Winner John Bell H/Cap 20 Score 68 Sat: 1. Paddy Woods H/Cap 12 Score 73. Sun: 1. Pat Corry H/Cap 7 Score 69; 2. Oliver Roche H/Cap 5 Score 71; 3. Jimmy Higgins H/Cap 7 Score 73. Gross: Tom Neary H/Cap 4 Score 77. Murvagh Masters: Oliver Roche, H/Cap 5,Score 71
Local men win Harvest rally
Overall rally winner top left and bottom right. Driver -Paul Harris with Navigator John McCafferty, Donegal Town. Top right and bottom left. Driver - James Gillen With Navigator Sinead McCafferty (daughter of John McCafferty). Compilation photo By Paul Sinclair.
By Gary Ward
The Donegal Motor Club Harvest Rally, which took place last weekend, brought a huge contingent of crews and spectators to town. Vehicle scrutiny took place on the Friday evening at Donegal Tyre Centre with the first car leaving the St. John Bosco Centre at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning heading for Cavangarden. Of the eight stages planned, the one at Drimarone had to be cancelled due to a lack of marshals.
Paul Harris, Letterkenny, and John McCafferty in their Subaru Impresa were the overall winners, by the narrow margin of 30 seconds, crossing the finish ramp at the Mill Park Hotel at around 6.15pm, just ahead of Niall Maguire.
James Gillen/Sinead McCafferty (daughter of John) finished 10th overall and 4th in their class. Unfortunately they got held up and lost 30 seconds, otherwise they could have finished 4th overall.
Another local, Frosses man, Joe McHugh had a very good day out, finishing 13th overall and 2nd in his class.
Local men Mark Robinson/Leon Jordan, Mountcharles, and Rory Thomas/Stephen Furey, Frosses, did the area proud with a brilliant display in class 11, with Mark coming second, after making great time in the first few stages. Rory came fifth in this fiercely contested class. Dermott McGroary/Martin McMenamin, Drimarone, did well in class 10.
Other local men Eamon McCafferty/Tony Walsh, Ballintra, competed in class 11. Stuart Darcy/Noreen McDaid finished 1st in class 3. Donegal Town lads Kenneth Bustard and Trevor, were doing well until mechanical problems sidelined them. Trevor Graham and Niall McCallig came 1st in their Suzuki Swift in class 1. Tim McNulty and Eugene O’Donnell were leading in their Subaru Impresa until a broken dif. put an end to their day. Declan McBrearty/Ronnie Rawdon, Dunkineely, were 10th in class 11 - a very good finish in their first ever rally.
Murvagh GC moves up to number 55 in the British (?) Isles according to the bible of golf
Well done to all involved in Donegal Golf Club, Murvagh, whose course has moved up 11 places to reach no 55 in the British Isles, and no 10 in Ireland, in the latest rankings published by ‘Golf World’, regarded as the ultimate guide to the UK and Ireland’s finest courses. Rating criteria included: ‘Quality of test and design’ -‘visual appeal and enjoyment’ - ‘fairness and presentation’ and ‘ambience and history’.
This is what the judges had to say about Murvagh:
Why it’s so good: This 7,000-yard monster was a new entry two years ago and has risen rapidly into 55th place. Perhaps the most spectacular stretch is from the 5th to the 8th. The flag on the plateau green of the par-three 5th is only just visible from the tee. From the elevated 6th, views of the beach stretch out for miles. Stuck majestically on a peninsula jutting out into Donegal Bay and the Atlantic, Donegal is one of Ireland’s finest links.
The imensity of the Donegal club’s achievement lies as much in the illustrious clubs behind it on the list, as it does in the famous names it is catching up on. No 1 is Muirfield, No 52 Mount Juliet, No 74 The K Club, in which the 2006 Ryder Cup is due to be played, and 95 Druids Glen. Being ahead of these latter two, in which highly publicised world ranking tournaments have been held, is an achievement indeed.
Donegal also makes two sub-lists. It is third cheapest for green fees at €50 - the dearest being Wentworth West at €345. It is also third longest at 7,277 yards - at 7,365, Portmarnock is about 90 yards longer. The shortest course listed is Gleneagle Queens at 5,965 yards.
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