Drumbar FC Notes By Brendan Grufferty
Drumbar U10 side at Blitz. Drumbar won this competition. Pictured here with Finn Harps trophy afterwards. Manager, Brendan Grufferty; Declan Boyle, Michael McLoughlin. Back: Conor Meehan, Pauric Carr, Jason Carr, Brendan Travers. Front: Conor McCrudden, Brian Lyons, Owen Devine. Darren Doherty, Daniel Bennett, Coimhin Lockney, Jason Conway.
It’s with great pleasure that I take this opportunity at the behest of Paddy Brogan to pen this week’s club notes. First and foremost, Drumbar United FC exists, as it has always done, to promote football and to facilitate everyone in the community with an interest in the game at grassroots level. It’s for this very reason I was delighted to accept a coaching role at this level, a role I very much continue to enjoy.
And so for anybody who wants to play football, whether it’s for the first time or whether you just want to get back involved, which was the case in my own particular situation, there exists a structure at the club to accommodate every single person. Everyone is openly welcomed by the club.
The programme for football at the club outlined
Monday
U-8s and U-10s. Training for boys and girls continues at the Bosco Centre, Donegal Town on Monday nights. The U-8 age category is catered for from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and this is followed by U-10s from 7.30 – 8.30pm. This is a great opportunity to participate in a balanced programme of light fitness based training and football. Everybody welcome as ever.
Tuesday
U-14s. Training continues on Tuesday Night at the Abbey Vocational School Gym from 6-7pm. The U-14s are taken by Neil Thomas and Paddy Brogan with a good side developing. More players are however required in this age group - so again everyone is welcome.
U-16s. Training for U-16s follows from 7-8pm in the Abbey Vocational School Gym. Again a good U-16s side has developed and is coached by Brendan McMonagle and Hughie Sweeney.
Wednesday
U-10s. Training for our U-10 side continues on Wednesday night from 6-7pm in the AVS gym with myself and Michael McLaughlin. This is followed by U-12s from 7-8pm with Rory O’Donnell and Danny McMenamin.
Saturday
Training for U-10s resumes this Saturday on the pitch at Drumbar with myself and Michael McLaughlin. This presents a good opportunity for young people to get involved and, as mentioned previously, new players are always welcomed, and looked after at the club. Saturday mornings on the pitch provides a balance of fitness, football and, of course, fun.
South Donegal Schoolboy’s League Shield Winners
Things are currently going very well at U-10s level and the side was successful last Saturday as they secured the South Donegal Schoolboys League Shield. After a shaky start the previous week, the side settled and acquitted themselves well against the home side, St Catherines, Killybegs and Eany Celtic in the final two games. On Saturday last, the Shield was secured with a solid performance against Copany Rovers and Erne Wanderers at the astroturf in Donegal Town. I would just like to say a big well done to everybody who participated and a special thanks to Declan Boyle who attended on the day.
Drumbar United Seniors
The senior team, managed by Aidan Cassidy and Neil Thomas, still remains in contention for promotion and were unlucky to go down 2-0 on Sunday last at home to Deele Rovers, a game which they competed well in, particularly in the second half, and were unlucky not to get something from the game but they just couldn’t convert the chances created.
Brendan Grufferty, PRO
Four Masters, Donegal GAA Club of the Year
Four Masters, winners of the Club of the Year Award: Back: Paul Timoney, Michael Kelly, Tommy Brennan, Cathal McGonigle. Front: Liam Mullin, Gerry McCauley, Anthony Timoney, Shauna Cooney and Paul Duncan
The Seven Arches Annual Golf Outing
The Seven Arches Winning Team - John McCafferty, John Sinclar, Gerry McGirr (organiser), Derek Whaley (President, Donegal GC), Roy Harron, Greg McGroary
“By the Intrepid Reporter”
It may be a long way from the tsunami disaster zone in Asia to Donegal Golf Club but there was a link between both places on 3rd January when Gerry McGirr of The Seven Arches Bar, Laghey, staged his annual outing, with the proceeds being donated to aid humanitarian causes in the ravaged area.
A total of 44 golfers participated in the outing and, although the day was quite breezy, all teed off with high hopes in the Team Event that was played in a classic format. Some fancied teams were among the starters including the ‘outfit’ led by the redoubtable Bob Dore - they may have looked good on paper but the Wee Man from Strabane, Denis Kelly, was suffering from a severe hangover at the commencement of play and was unable to get into the swing of things and, eventually, this team ended up among the ‘also rans’. When all the scores were totted up, the winning team, although not exactly spring chickens, was probably the youngest combined team and this stood to them in the windy conditions. Taking honours on the day with a fine score of 91 points was the team of John McCafferty, Roy Harron, Greg McGroary and John Sinclair. They had a point to spare over the team of Billy Johnston, Justin Coughlin, Stephen Anderson and Pauric Mullooly. Hard luck story of the day belonged to Mickey ‘Duck’ Gallagher, Liam Mundy, Tommy ‘The Tunnel’ Gallagher and Tom Connolly - they did away with the Classic format and played it as a Singles competition. A team card was then written up afterwards and was featuring among the prizes until an error was spotted by Gerry McGirr’s professional team of scrutineers and, unfortunately, The Duck led his team ‘up the Swanee without a paddle ‘.
Presentation of prizes took place in the Seven Arches Bar where Gerry laid on a great spread of refreshments and a good time was had by all. A sum in the region of €1,200 was raised on the day for this good cause. Everybody enjoyed the craic in taking part and all concerned are already looking forward to next year’s event and a big ‘Thank You ‘ is extended to Gerry for organising the outing.
The A.G.M. of the above took place in the clubrooms in Mountcharles on Saturday 15th of January. The following officers were elected: Chairman Brian McCabe; Secretary, Martin Griffin; Treasurer, Ann-Marie Gillespie; PRO, Donough Mc Brearty. The following managers were appointed: U-10, TBC; U-12, Sean Kelly;U-14, Martin Griffin; U-16, Dennis O’Gorman and Brian McCabe, Minor, Paul Griffin. Brian McCabe was also nominated as delegate to Divisional Board and sub-delegate Thomas McBrearty. The outgoing officers Paul Griffin and Phyllis McGroarty were praised for their effort over the past three years. Underage football is now on a very strong footing in the club, thanks to the effort of the many coaches who have given their time. Special mention must go to Cathal Campbell who has made himself available at various times to the different teams. It is hoped that more people would make themselves available to help out with any draw/function, particularly the slotto. I would appeal particularly to the senior players to take a more leading role in the club’s affairs.
D.McB
Naomh Brid fund-raiser
Naomh Brid held a fun football match in Pairc Naomh Brid on St Stephen’s day. The Gallagher ‘All Stars’ lined out against the Naomh Brid boys. Proceeds were to be divided between the three schools – St Eunan’s Laghey; St Ernan’s and the Robertson, Ballintra. A huge crowd braved the elements to come out and support the game which was very entertaining all round. Hughie Sweeney from Four Masters was the man in the middle and he produced some peculiar refereeing decisions.
The proceeds, €1,635, were donated to the schools. We also sent a cheque for €2,000 to Our Lady’s Hospital For Sick children in Crumlin. Thanks to Vinny Gallagher for organising that.
The club would like to thank all the players who togged out and all the people who donated at the gate. Thanks to the Country Inn for the after match refreshments and their sponsorship towards the band.
We still don’t know who won the match - but it was a fair result anyway!!
Naomh Brid club are holding their Dinner Dance next Saturday 29th January, in Central Hotel, Donegal, at 9 pm. Music by Vincie Carr and Ann McGroary. Please come along and support, always a good night.
Donegal Town FC
The Donegal Town/Killymard Under-16 team ended their season with three silver medals. A presentation was made to Remmie McGrory, who was voted the “Under-16 Player of the Year” and also to Eoin Anderson, who was runner-up.
The Under-16s took on their ‘Parents & Management Team’ for a challenge game on the all-weather pitch on New Year’s Eve. Each entrant paid €5 and all monies raised went to the Asian Disaster Fund.
Medals were presented to the Under-8s and Under-10s at the final session at the all weather pitch prior to Christmas, following recommendation by FAI coaches after players had completed several weeks coaching. Also at this event, Liam Patrick Martin was presented with “Under-12 Player of the Year” for last season.
Many thanks are expressed to Gregory McGrory, electrician, for sponsoring a ‘Match Ball’ for the last home game before Christmas.
A sincere thanks to Del Sweeney, The National Bar, Donegal Town, for sponsoring polo-shirts with Donegal Town FC crests for our club members. Great interest has been expressed for the shirt by club followers and anyone who would like to purchase one, please contact Declan Barr or Ann Marie Byrne. Thanks again to the National and also for their continued after-match refreshments. We wish you all the best for the New Year.
The annual Coach House Perpetual Plaque Competition took place on Boxing Day on the all-weather pitch with Donegal Town FC past and present ‘Married Men’ taking on the ‘Single Men’ at the Club. Fun was had by all and there were four father and son pairings making up the teams, Greg and David McGrory, Frank and Francis Sweeney, Aidan and Terry O’Doherty and Patsy and Declan Barr. The Married Men showed the Singletons a few moves on the pitch, and it was their captain, Peter Donaghy, who picked up the plaque at the presentation in the Coach House that evening. The ‘Man of the Match’ award was presented to Frank Sweeney, who scored a sensational goal. Thanks to Eamonn and June Thomas, The Coach House.
Underage football training continues on the all-weather pitch on Monday evenings. The Under-14 League will commence in February and the team have commenced an intense training schedule under managers, Marty Byrne and Pauric O’Neill.
The senior team continues their battle for first place in the Division One league - good luck lads for the next few games.
Anyone wishing to book an hour on the all-weather pitch, please contact Declan Barr, after 6pm on 087 7556376.
Donegal Town FC would like to take this opportunity to wish all players, managers, committee members, sponsors and our many dedicated followers, a very happy and peaceful New Year.
Report by Ann Marie Byrne, Secretary, (donegaltownfc@eircom.net)
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