1st Division cup visits U-10 training at the Hospital field
Killymard FC with the Finn Harps 1st division cup and coach Alan Happy at the Hospital Field Photo: Jason McGarrigle
Basketball notes
The men’s team is currently going from strength to strength, after a hectic fortnight they have now recorded their sixth win in a row, a level of success that was last recorded in the halcyon days of Kevin Sinclair. Their more recent victims have all been from Letterkenny, having taken the points off both the Heat and Ulster in the league, and accounting for Ulster in the cup on Friday last. They now progress to play Letterkenny Heat in the cup semi-finals on Saturday week.
Hopefully, the ladies team will be joining them - they play Killybegs VS this Friday and all support would be greatly appreciated. The girls have been out of action for some time now, as a number of the panel have been playing for Colaiste Colmcille, helping the school win an All Ireland. Well done to Geraldine Diver, Stephen Carty and all involved.
Donegal Town 67 Letterkenny Ulster 55
In a close first half, Donegal’s guards were very much to the fore, with John Kennedy, Paul McHugh, Gareth Britton and Bill Collins all finishing off fast breaks or shooting the ball from outside. In the second quarter Glen Matthews came to life hitting seven points in a row, as Donegal entered the interval leading by the minimum 34-33.
The pace of the game upped considerably in the third as Donegal’s “Big” men, Matthews, Cookie Meehan and Liam Travers took over the scoring, and gave the home team control of the match. Donegal looked to take it inside again and again and had the luxury of running their bench, leaving several of their starting five sitting out. Going into the last Donegal led 55-50.
Donegal’s fresh men looked to push home their advantage, McHugh and Britton hit Ulster on the break, then in the closing minutes seven different players scored for the home team as they ran down the clock, moving the ball around at pace and ultimately ran out comfortable winners. MVPs for the game were Fintan Reilly and Glen Matthews.
Donegal: John Kennedy (11), Liam Travers (4), Glen Matthews (19), Gareth Britton (8), Simon Waugh (2), Cookie Meehan (8), Paul McHugh (12), Ted McCafferty, Bill Collins (3), William Timoney, John Divers.
Donegal Town 62 Letterkenny Heat 50
Early in the game Donegal looked to take the ball inside and gradually built up a 6-0 lead with Glen Matthews and Cookie Meehan twice driving to the basket, only for the visitors to reorganise themselves and take the lead by the end of the quarter 11-9.
In an attempt to take control of the game Donegal’s Bill Collins slowed things down and began to run pre-rehearsed moves, a tactic that saw the game swing in favour of the home team. Gareth Britton struck twice from outside, shooting over the Heat’s zone defence, William Timoney began to crash the boards and put away the second chances. Approaching half time Simon Waugh and Timoney made shots to ensure Donegal entered the break with a slight advantage, leading by four: 26-22.
Donegal pushed home this advantage in the third, as Glen Matthews, having had a quiet first half by his own high standards, began to dismantle the Heat single-handed. He scored seven points in a row, and as the defence collapsed to stop him he began dishing the ball off to Britton and Paul McHugh who finished off from close range. Donegal had a commanding lead at the end of the quarter up by twelve: 44-32.
The best basketball of the match was served up in the final quarter, Letterkenny kept on chipping away at Donegal’s lead, and, with two minutes to go, they’d reduced the deficit to a mere seven points. Donegal began to run down the clock and, to rub salt into the Heats wounds, McHugh twice beat the shot clock with strong drives to the basket. Glen Matthews finished off the scoring, having been fouled in the act of shooting; he converted the free throw for a three point play, a fitting finish to the game, as Matthews more so than any other player helped Donegal earn these three points.
MVPs for the game were Glen Matthews and Kieran Walsh.
Donegal: Bill Collins (4), John Kennedy (2), Gareth Britton (13), Paul McHugh (8), Glen Matthews (22), Simon Waugh (3), Cookie Meehan (4), William Timoney (6), Ted McCaffrey, Kevin Devaney, John Divers.
Donegal 54 Letterkenny Ulster 42
Donegal progressed to the semi-finals of the cup, having emerged victorious in the return leg of a fiercely contested encounter against Letterkenny Ulster. Letterkenny began the game in a much more aggressive fashion, they shut out the home team’s attack for the opening five minutes as they raced into a seven nothing lead. Donegal coach Stephen Carty called a time out, read the riot attack and made a few tactical changes. On the restart Gareth Britton opened his scoring account with a strong inside drive followed up by two jump-shots from the top of the quay. Donegal still struggled inside against Letterkenny’s determined defence, and Glen Matthews had to step outside to get a shot away. Inexplicably, in one of the worst ten minutes of basketball ever witnessed, Donegal led 8-7.
Everyone thought things could only improve in the second - unfortunately they didn’t. Admittedly Letterkenny had a good spread of scores, with six different players registering baskets. Donegal were still labouring to run a good offense unable to make any headway inside. Bill Collins, two to three feet behind the arc hit a big three pointer to narrow the gap but Donegal’s problems were all too apparent as at half-time only three different players had scored. At the interval Letterkenny were up 22-17.
Ulster stretched their lead early in the third, with Brian Gribben twice finishing off inside moves, and then the game was turned on its head as the John Kennedy show came to town. Five times in quick succession he pushed the ball up the court, driving to the basket himself on three occasions, on the other two he dished the ball off to Matthews and Paul McHugh to convert from close range. Letterkenny were forced to call a timeout to try and stop Donegal’s fast break. Donegal, inspired by Kennedy took control of the game once more and began moving the ball with greater intent. Kennedy, Matthews and Britton (twice) made outside shots. Entering the final quarter Donegal led 39-34.
Britton then put Letterkenny to the sword, scoring three more outside shots. Liam Travers and Cookie Meehan also began to find their range from the top of the quay. Ulster’s Shane Magee put up a spirited performance as he tried to haul his team back into the game, but really and truly Donegal were in control of the game. Stephen Carty had the luxury of running his bench as Donegal ran down the clock for their sixth victory in a row.
MVPs for the game were Gareth Britton and Shane Magee. Thanks to the referees Nigel Weir and Trevor McBrearty.
Donegal: John Kennedy (8), Liam Travers (4), Gareth Britton (21), Glen Matthews (12), Bill Collins (3), Paul McHugh (3), William Timoney, Simon Waugh (1), Cookie Meehan (2), Niall Timoney, Ted McCafferty. Coach: Stephen Carty.
Letterkenny: Fintan O’Reilly (4), Paul O’Sullivan (4), Danny O’Brien (4), Edhaj Akkoc (4), P. Barrett (2), M. Byrne, Denis Magee (6), Bruce Powell, Shane Magee (14), Brian Gribben (4).
Simon Waugh
Donegal man sets standards for Irish Rugby
 Donal Byrne from Ardara never played a game of rugby until 2003. He was introduced to the game by Donegal Development Officer, Jonathan Llewhellin, at St. Columba’s Comprehensive College, Glenties, in March 2003, and has never looked back. Last year he was selected on the Ulster U-16 panel and, after paying in the
Inter-provincial series in the Autumn, was then selected for the Irish Youths international side. Now he has got his first Irish cap and is hopeful of a second away to Scotland in March, while he has already been called to training for the Irish U-18 panel to compete in the Home Nations at Easter.
On Wednesday last he was one of 22 young players who assembled in Dublin, flew out to Italy on Thursday, to play their national team on Saturday, a game they lost 15-3. Donal started the game and played very well.
It has been a hectic time for the young Ardara lad who will sit his leaving certificate in June and hopes go to DIT, Bolton Street, to do architecture.
Donal will be 17 on the 18th of March. After last Saturday’s match, the Irish squad play Scotland next month on Saturday, 12th March, away, and hopeful he will be involved. After that the rugby target shifts to the Ireland U-18 squad which combines the youths and schools together and Donal got a letter last week to attend training in Dublin.
The main reason for him taking up the game was the arrival of Jonathan Llewhellin at the Glenties school to do some rugby coaching. Welshman Llewhellin was appointed in a coaching capacity in Donegal two years ago and St. Columbs’s, Glenties, was one of his first stops. Byrne admits that he owes a great deal to the Welshman. At national level, Donal is under the eye of David Eakin, while at Ulster level he was coached by former British and Irish Lion, Jeremy Davidson, whose position was also in the second row.
The U-14s kicked off their league campaign at the weekend with a 1-1 draw away to St. Catherines, Sean Martin getting the goal. Managers Marty Byrne and Pauric O’Neill will be very pleased with what was a very encouraging performance with Ryan Muldoon and Sash Lacey particularly impressive. The club would like to wish the lads the best of luck for the remainder of the league.
The senior team are enjoying a good run of form at the moment, having picked up maximum points from their last two fixtures. This year’s goal of a promotion to the Premier Division seems all the closer now with four games to be played, and six out of the 12 available needed to secure promotion.
Last week Donegal played host to Letterkenny Rovers and in a very solid team performance, Donegal ran out 4-0 winners. Aaron Slevin scored 2 goals on the day along with Benny Byrne and Raymie McGroary who continues to impress in his first season with the senior team. In what were reasonably heavy conditions, Raymie put in a hardworking performance and deservedly got his third league goal of the season with a left footed valley.
Letterbarrow Celtic were this weekend’s opponents, Donegal Town winning 3-0. Again Aaron Slevin scared two with the third coming off a Letterbarrow defender. It was encouraging to see another two young players make their debuts for Donegal. David McGroary and Patrick Mannering getting their first taste of competitive action.
Next weekend Donegal must travel to play Ballybofey United in what should be a very rough fixture as Donegal have already lost to Finn Valley side earlier in the season.
The U14s play Copany Rovers at the hospital field on Saturday at 11 o’clock, all support welcome.
The club sends its deepest sympathy to the Early and Ward Families on their recent bereavements.
GPA announces 30 scholarships
The Gaelic Players Association has awarded 30 new scholarships to individual GAA players in third level education.
Players from 17 counties in the four provinces are represented and funding for the programme has been generated through the sales of Club Energise and the GPA’s increasingly successful commercial strategy.
“This unprecedented allocation of funding is indicative of the GPA’s committment to support our players throughout their playing careers,” said GPA chief Dessie Farrell. “With the emphasis on professional levels of preparation in the modern game, it is simply not feasible for students to take up part-time employment.
“In 2004 we awarded 12 scholarships from funds generated directly through the sales of Club Energise, and since the GPA’s inception our scholarship scheme has thus far assisted 60 players to balance their studies with a committment to Gaelic games.”
Among scholarships awarded were Donegal players Paul Durcan and Christy Toye, both at Sligo IT.
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