Croke Park appearance for local lads

Two former pupils of St. Peter’s National School, Mountcharles - and now 1st years at the Abbey Voc. School, were picked earlier this year to appear in Croke Park after St. Peter’s success at county level in the I.N.T.O./G.A.A. Mini Sevens Football Competition. Jamie McGroary, from Letterbarrow (Son of John & Pauline) appeared at half-time on All-Ireland Semi-final day during the Tyrone/Armagh match while Brian McGroary of Tullynaha, Letterbarrow, (Son of Barney & Christine) appeared at half-time on All-Ireland Final day during the Tyrone/Kerry Match. Well Done Lads!

Donegal Town Rugby Notes

by The Rucker

Donegal were beaten 29-3 by Randalstown last Saturday even though one of their players was delayed in traffic. By the time he arrived Randalstown had taken control of the game. In truth Randalstown were the much stronger side and deserved to win. But credit to Donegal who put up a brave battle against a bigger and stronger team. We had a good first team debut from Pauric Gillespie who seems to have inherited his father’s terrier-like qualities. Adam Keys scored Donegal’s penalty in the game.
The team was Chris Mulhern, Enda Travers, Donald Martin, Eddie Gorman, Shane Travers, Adam Keys, Pauric Gillespie Jun., Gary Prendiville, Hugh Barry, Emmet Brogan, Terry Mullin, Gary Brogan, Keiran Kennedy, Laurie McCaughan (Capt), Niall Gillespie.
The Seconds had two games in the last two weeks, losing in Lurgan and again to Clogher Valley.
They were unlucky last Saturday when Paddy Gillespie was denied a try in the final 5 minutes that would have won the match.
Luke Cape, who is developing as a player with every game, scored an excellent try.
Sean Gillespie, Matt Wilson and John Doogan all played on Saturday. None of these three gentlemen are in the first flush of youth but they all lasted the pace on the day.
The team was: Benny Cassidy, Luke Cape, Paddy Gillespie, Peter McDyer, Kevin Molloy, Francis Gillespie, Kevin Gillespie, Joe Taafe, Matt Wilson, Kevin Sinclair (capt), Jimmy Corrigan, Sean Gillespie, John Doogan, Tony Byrne, John Walsh.
Laurie McCaughan advises me that training is still taking place at the Holmes each Tuesday and Thursday night. This Saturday the Firsts are at home to Antrim and the Seconds travel to Cavan.
It is noted that the Northampton No 8 who hails from New Zealand has declared that he is available for selection for Ireland. His name is Daniel Brown and apparently he claims Irish ascendancy through his father who comes from Donegal. Could there be a connection with Liam? If so, the footballing ability could have come from his mother’s side.

DONEGAL TOWN & DISTRICT FINN HARPS S.C

Things are starting to look tight at the both ends of the Eircom league premier division. Finn Harps are really in a dogfight at the south end of the table, they now lie level on points with bottom team Waterford United - only a only a better goal difference separates the sides. The team’s lack of consistency has been the most frustrating factor this season. Harps matched league leaders Cork in two games in the cup recently and were excellent in their victory over Shamrock Rovers two weeks ago, but the team only managed to draw with basement team Waterford United away from home and lost three nil to Shelbourne at the weekend. The team is well capable of climbing out of the bottom two, but in reality most Harps fans will be hoping just to stay off the foot of the table to give them a chance of survival in the relegation playoff. At the other end of the table our local rivals Derry city are flying on all fronts. They recently won the league cup, and they are challenging for the league title and FAI cup. Meanwhile in the Eircom League first division, Sligo Rovers are out in front and look like getting promoted as champions.
Harps really do need to survive the drop this season, If we go down we will have no local derbys next season, but, if the team manage to stay up, the finances raised by having three north-west teams in the premier division would be a welcome boost to the club’s finances.
Hopefully the board will have learned from mistakes made this season, the appointment of a new manager who has the full backing of the board is essential. Finances will have to be made available to strengthen the squad, this season has shown that that the standard of Eircom League football has improved immensely over the past number of years and the team need a number of proven players to improve the squad.
Off the field, work has begun on new terracing for the Stranorlar side of the ground and should be ready for the upcoming game against Derry City.
Anyone interested in joining the supporters club can do so by contacting 086 1223507 or by talking to any member of the club.

St Catherine's FC, Killybegs, presentation in Bayview Hotel

Senior top scorer, Daniel Breslin; Reserve player of the year, Ryan McNeilis and Senior player of the year, Seamie Coleman

Major Bridge Championship in Town

The Contract Bridge Association of Ireland’s major pairs championship for the award of President Paddy Carr, will be decided over three sessions next Saturday (from 1.30pm) and Sunday the 2nd October in the Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town.
A two-session pairs championship will be run on Saturday (7.15pm) and Sunday for the intermediate B and novice grades. Both events will finish before 3pm on Sunday. Entries Paul Porteous (01-4929666).

Ball Dearg Hurling and Football Club - 100th Anniversary

On Friday, October 20th 1905, the “Ball Dearg Hurling and Football Club” was founded in Donegal Town. The new club got the name “Ball Dearg” to commemorate the famous birth-mark of the Clan O’Donnell. This was the first G.A.A. club in the area and to acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the Ball Dearg club, Four Masters G.A.A. Club will mark the occasion with a number of events.
On Friday October 21st, a special Mass will be held in the St. John Bosco Centre at 8.30 p.m. followed by refreshments and music by local artists. Further details of the events will be published in the coming weeks.
Sean Dunnion

Basketball News

The Club will begin training again next Friday 7th October, times as follows: 5.30-6.30, age 7-9; 6.30-7.30, age 10-13 including first year students in the Abbey Vocational School; 7.30-8.45 Senior Men’s; 8.45-9.45 Senior Ladies. The club is hoping to have an additional weekly training session for secondary school students although a time for this hasn’t yet been confirmed.
The basketball season proper will kick off with the county blitz in Killybegs on Saturday 8th October, the League usually begins the following week. Three club members, Paul McHugh, Simon Waugh and Sarah Daly, in addition to playing, will also find themselves refereeing having recently completed a Grade 3 referees course. Plans are being made for hosting a Foundation/Level One Coaching and a Child Protection course later in the year for anyone interested in helping out at underage training sessions, details will appear later in the year. At the recent club AGM the following officers were returned: Chairperson: Bill Collins, Treasurer: Gareth Britton; Secretary: John Kennedy; PRO: Simon Waugh; Child Protection Officer: Stephen Carty. Anyone interested in Ladies Basketball can contact Bill Collins at 0876997621 for further details. If coaching underage is more your thing contact John Kennedy at 0874118721 or alternatively show up at the relevant training times.