Genties boys prove to strong for Four Masters
Raidio na Gaeltachta Senior Championship
Four Masters 2.05 Naomh Chonaill 1.10
Naomh Chonaill secured their first appearance in a senior county final for 40 years when they came from behind in the closing minutes to defeat favourites Four Masters by two points. However, the match was not without controversy as Naomh Chonaill had 16 players on the field for approximately 90 seconds, during which time they scored their equalising point in the 59th minute through Brendan McDyre with the final pass laid on by substitute Leonard McDyre. McDyre was due to replace Neil Boyle but the message did not seem to get to Boyle who eventually left the field after the vital score.
However, this should not take away from a fantastic performance by the young Naomh Chonaill team who recovered from an early Michael Doherty goal to be level 1.02 to 0.05 at half-time with points from Conal McNelis (2), Brendan McDyre, Leon Thompson and Anton Thompson, the Masters points coming from Michael Doherty and Shane Carr.
One would have expected that the experience of Four Masters would carry them through in the second half but once again it was the Glenties boys who stepped up to the plate with Conal McNelis causing endless problems for the Masters defence adding a goal and a point after the break. The game seemed to be slipping away from the Donegal Town lads but a fine goal by Barry Monaghan and a wonder point from Ciaran Cassidy put them in front with a couple of minutes of normal time left.
Then came the controversial score by McDyre before further points from Leon and Anton Thompson sent the huge Naomh Chonaill support into wild scenes of celebration - and a county final date on October 2nd.
Scorers: Four Masters: Michael Doherty (1.2), Barry Monaghan (1.0), Shane Carr (0.2), Ciaran Cassidy (0.1) Naomh Chonaill: Conal McNelis (1.2), Anton Thompson (0.3), Leon Thompson (0.3), Brendan McDyre (0.2)
A nice balmy day, 180 committed players, a gaggle of referees and superb organisation were the ingredients that served up a feast of Tag Rugby at the Holmes. Tag Rugby is the latest craze that is sweeping the country. The sport is non-contact and teams consist of male and female players, Each player wears a belt with two tags on it. The only method of tackling is to pull off one of these Velcro rags.
Eighteen teams took the field, including one team from Dublin under the guidance of Albert Coulter and Dermot Coughlan.
Players of all ages took part and I spotted a few players out there who are fast approaching an age when worrying about paying for a bus journey will no longer be an issue.
Tries were coming thick and fast in the games with even Terry Mullin bursting through for a score. I’m still not sure if it was the sight of the tryline or the smell of the burgers in the clubhouse that made Mo run so fast. Anyway he was all right after cardiac massage.
Thankfully, apart from this, the Order of Malta Ambulance crew was not called into action but it was great to have them there.
The noisest team in the competition was undoubtedly the Gillespies with manager Sean giving advice from the touchline including the immortal phrase ‘Shut up Francis, there’s no point arguing with the referee’!
Indeed the Gillespies ended up victorious as they won the Plate, beating The Star Bar in the final.
In the main competition, we had an exhilarating match as the silken skills of the Dublin City side were matched against the raw enthusiasm of O’Donnells Bar. In a keenly-contested final victory went to O’Donnells. Stephen Keeney was picked out as the Player of the Final. Raymond McGrory won the award for Male Player of the Tournament whilst the Top Female Player of the Tournament went to Grainne O’Driscoll. Top try scorer over the afternoon was Pauric McGlynn. Incidentally, a couple of other players who didn’t win any awards but caught the eye were Dermot Langan and Shaun Cawley, son of former club stalwart Joe.
The award for the oldest player in the competition went to Liam Brown. Is there no beginning to his talents?
It was an excellent tournament and let’s thank some of those involved including The Order of Malta Ambulance crew, competition organiser Kevin Sinclair, referees John Doogan,Tom & Robert Morrow, Matt Wilson and Gary Prenderville. Thanks also to ‘The Burger Babes’; Karen Murray, Sinead Mooney and Donna Furey who kept everyone fed. It was obvious some the lads were much better at eating burgers than playing rugby.
Finally it has crossed my mind that racehorses are often gelded to improve their racing performance. Have we considered this for any of our players? - Any volunteers?
Training continues each Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30. The players are taking the training seriously. I even saw one player out for a fitness run last Saturday pushing a pram. A very fishy story!
Donegal Seconds 24 Ballyshannon Seconds 0
Two conversions and four tries from Shane Gillespie, Niall Gillespie, Benny Cassidy and Damien Cassidy was more than sufficient to give Donegal victory over Ballyshannon. It was an excellent performance and sets the team up for the season.
This Saturday the Seconds travel to Lurgan.
Best wishes to Jig Gallagher who hurt his shoulder on Saturday.
We also welcome Messrs Friel and Kearney back from Italy where I understand they were renewing their wedding vows. Not to each other of course - but to Ann and Mary. Meanwhile reports of a famine in Tuscany have not yet been substantiated.
Rugger Draw:
The last rugger draw took place on Saturday 10th September in Sean McCafferty’s Tirchonaill Bar. The draw sequence was 4, 7, 1, 3, 2, 6, 5. There was no jackpot winner - consolation prize winner (€50) was Del Sweeney, National Hotel.
The next draw will take place on Saturday 17th September in The Forge with a jackpot of €450. Thanks for your continued support.
Donegal Town U-16 have made a great start to the league recording three wins and a draw in their first four games. They defeated Drumbar 3 – 2 in their first match, and followed with victories 8 – 0 versus Erne, 5 – 2 versus Eany Celtic and got a 2 – 2 draw against Carrick Town. These have been all great team performances and Marty, John and Kevin would like to thank all the players for their effort and commitment at training and on match days. Team is away to St Catherine’s this Saturday morning, kick off at 11.00 a.m.
The newly formed Saturday team is proving to be a great success with great interest from players both young and old alike. It is providing football for players to fill the gap between underage football and senior football. We were unlucky to go down 2-0 away to Gweedore on our first game with outstanding performances from Rob Timoney and Paddy Ward. In our 2nd game we bounced back with a 1-0 victory against Tullyvinny with a wonder strike from Decky Byrne four mins from time. This was a great team performance with Enda Bonner and Timoney in midfield and decky Byrne and Christan McGettigan in defence outstanding. Team at home to Convoy this Saturday.
The senior team started their campaign with a great 3-3 draw away to Cappry training 2 – 0 in the 2nd half Donegal kept playing were rewarded with goals from Fintan Doherty, Timoney and were happy to put them into a 3 – 2 lead only for Cappry to scare in injury frame with a deflection. There were great performances from J.P. (Rancher) Byrne and Deckie Bar in defence and man of the match McGrory.
The team were beaten 2-0 by league champions Milford Utd on Sunday. The team were excellent throughout this game and with performances like this will soon be moving up the league table. The club would like to wish Niall Gallagher a speedy recovery after he sustained an injury in this game we also wish Glen Coulter a speedy recovery after his recent illness. Saturday and Sunday team training at pitch from 7-9 on Tuesday and Thursday.
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