Four Masters defeat Aodh Rua in
first match of championship

Michael Gurren tries to get the ball(s) off Barry Monaghan. Photo: Jason McGarrigle

Four Masters travel to Fr. Tierney Park, Ballyshannon, this Saturday evening (28th) to take on the home side, Aodh Ruadh, in what should be an intriguing second leg of the preliminary round of the Radio Na Gaeltachta Senior Championship at 7.30pm.
The Masters have the advantage of the first leg win in Tir Chonaill Park by 2-09 to 1-08, but Aodh Ruadh will be hopeful that they can overturn that result on their home turf. The Ballyshannon men will have been very disappointed by their first-half performance in Donegal Town, but will certainly be encouraged by the way they reduced the Masters lead in that match from nine points to only three with a few minutes left.
Aodh Ruadh will be looking for another big game from Barry Ward, and the return of Brian Roper will certainly strengthen their forward line. However, Four Masters will be hoping that the experience gained in the last couple of years and the power of their five county men, Barry Monaghan, Shane Carr, Karl Lacey, Barry Dunnion and Paul Durcan will give them the edge to advance to the first round proper against St. Michael’s, without the need for a playoff.
The reserves are also in action on Saturday evening at 6.00 p.m. in the Senior Reserve Championship against Aodh Ruadh and they too have a first leg victory under their belt. This was a ding-dong affair in Tir Chonaill Park and the 0-11 to 0-09 win came courtesy of two very late points. Aodh Ruadh will be confident of getting a result this time out, so a third game is very much on the cards in this tie.
Sean Dunnion

Laghey man guest of honour at Brooklyn Shamrocks function

Brooklyn Shamrocks' chairman, Brendan Lally, presents John with his award

Brooklyn Shamrocks GFC held their 28th annual dinner dance on Friday May 6th in Brooklyn, NY. John Ward, who hails from Laghey, was Guest Of Honour on the night He was thanked for all the great work he has done for the club for the last 14 years. John was chairman of the club from 2000 to 2003 and has been their best fundraiser over the years.

North West Master Athletes

The North West 10k, the opening event of the 2005 Donegal Grand Prix road racing calendar, attracted massive numbers of runners and walkers to Letterkenny on Sunday week last. Tir Chonail athletes were out in numbers and came away with some outstanding performances. Master athletes, Vera Haughey, 44mins 37 secs and Marie Rooney, 45mins 14 secs, were outright winners of the V2 and V3 women’s categories. Linda Ward, a recent recruit to the Paddy Donoghue led training group, in her first race recorded an excellent 47mins 58 secs while Jackie Harvey, 49mins 9 secs and Serena Foo, 53mins 18 secs, were delighted with their performances.
In the Male Masters section, John Cannon, 39mins 12 secs and Paddy Donoghue, 41 mins, recorded satisfactory times. Richard McCarthy, 41mins 2 secs, Sean Cassidy, 41mins 40 secs, and Vinny Duffy, 43mins 15 secs were our top performers in the Mens section. In the walks it as great to see newcomer Ann Donoghue, record a PB by over 2 mins while all athletics followers were delighted to see Paralympics Gold Medal winner Bridie Lynch back to good health again and completing the 10k.
Belfast Marathon: Philomena Gallagher travelled to Belfast on Monday for the diverted Belfast Marathon. Phil ran an excellent time of 3hrs 50 mins. Finally another marathon notable performance from a club athlete came from Paul O’Loughlan in the recent London Marathon – time 3hrs 35 mins. Many of our club members will also be competing in the Dublin Mini Marathon.
Contacts: New members are always welcome to join the training groups. Whether you want to walk, get fit, jog or run, you will be made most welcome. Contacts Bundoran/Ballyshannon area – Paddy Donoghue, Donegal Town area –David Doherty/Richard McCarthy.

New Gear for Basketball squad

Michael Breslin, Dom’s Pier 1, presenting new kit to Donegal Town Basketball club chairman, Bill Collins; accompanied by players John Kennedy (captain), Gareth Britton and Simon Waugh. Photo: Jason McGarrigle

Frank Muldoon memorial Classic

The Four Masters GAA Club, in association with Donegal Cancer Support, is running the Frank Muldoon Memorial Golf Classic on Wednesday 22nd June at Donegal Golf Club, Murvagh. Teams of 4 – any combination ladies/gents. Entry €140 and timesheet will be in operation. Please contact Golf Club on 0749734054

Donegal Town Grand Prix

Are you training for the Donegal Town 5K Grand Prix Fun Run and walk which is taking place on Friday, 10th June. The event will start from Quay Street at 6.45pm – registration at AVS gym from 5.45pm. Entry is €5 euro for walkers and €7 euro for runners – proceeds to local charities.

Drumbar United F.C

It’s short and sweet this week with a special focus on the U-12 side who are currently having an excellent league campaign and, of course, the inter-firms which always proves exciting and entertaining fare. This year’s inter-firms are particularly important with the pitch development on its second phase. Your support therefore is particularly crucial. This is an event I’m really looking forward to.
I have been watching with great interest the league campaign of the U-12’s coached by Rory O’Donnell and Danny McMenamin. It has proved to be excellent entertainment and its great to watch a keen and eager group of boys and girls really enjoy the game. At the end of the day this is what it’s all about. Having said, that they continue to enjoy excellent results with the impressive dispatch of Erne Wanderers, Eany Celtic and, most recently, a 5-1 defeat of Copany Rovers in Copany. All that’s left for me is to say a huge ‘well done’ to everybody concerned and continued success and enjoyment for the remainder of the season.
I’d also like to say thank you to the kids who continue to turn out on Saturday morning. We have been particularly fortunate with the weather and the sessions continue over the coming weeks. With smaller numbers this provides ample room and a greater opportunity to work with the kids individually and in small groups. For any boy or girl who would like to try out the Saturday morning session, they will be very much welcomed at the club.
The club AGM will be held at the clubhouse on 1st June 2005 at 9pm. All club members are requested to attend.
The programme for football at the club is outlined below.
Monday: U-8s and U-10s. Football for boys and girls continues at the pitch at 6.30 on Monday evenings. This continues to be very successful and newcomers will always be made welcome at the club.
Wednesday: Training for our U-10s with myself and Michael McLaughlin takes place at 6.30.
Saturday: As mentioned above, football will continue on the field on Saturday mornings at 11a.m. Children of all ages below 10 are welcome.
I can be contacted at 086 1731757 or Paddy Brogan at 074 97 21708. For anybody who has any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Brendan Grufferty,
PRO

Local girls star in Ulster final victory

Rachel Crawford (Four Masters) and Ailish Ward (Naomh Naille) members of the Donegal U14 team who defeated Monaghan by 2 points on Saturday. The girls now go forward to the All-Ireland semi-finals in Mullingar on June 25th against Cork. ‘Girl of the Match’ , Rachel, scored 2-3 in the game

Community Games update

OUTDOOR SOCCER: The Donegal Town Community Games Girls U-12 and U-15 Outdoor Soccer teams competed in the County finals in Fanad on Saturday 14th May, 2005. Both teams did extremely well in a very closely fought contest. In the U-15 age group, three teams took part: Donegal Town, Fanad, and Ramelton. In the U-12 finals, there were also three teams: Donegal Town, Fanad and Doe. Donegal Town took on Fanad in the first game and were losing 1-0 when Caoimhe Cox found the net and levelled the score. This put the game into extra time. However, as they were still level at full-time, it took a penalty shoot-out to decide the outcome, with the Donegal Town girls victorious. They met Doe in the final and were beaten 3-0 to take the Silver medal place. The U-15 contest saw a very strong Donegal Town team take on Fanad in the final. The Donegal Girls led with a great goal from Sharon McIntyre. However, Fanad was awarded a penalty and the sides were level at full-time. Extra time was a very competitive battle with no resolution at the final whistle. A penalty shoot-out loomed, and, in a tense and thrilling contest, worthy of any international competition, Fanad took the gold, beating Donegal town 3-2. The Donegal Town girls took the silver medal place. According to their coach, Caroline Walsh, it was a great display of football from every member of the team.