Donegal G.A.A. Centenary Banquet
Four Masters stalwarts Sean Dunnion and Gerry McCauley receive their award from GAA President-elect, Nicky Brennan
Photo: Jason McGarrigle
The Donegal G.A.A. Centenary Banquet was held in the Abbey Hotel on Friday October 28th with a crowd of over 500 people attending from every club in the county and indeed from across Ireland. Guest of Honour was president-elect Nicky Brennan as well as representatives of the Ulster Council, Bishop Philip Boyce and former officers of the County Board.
Chairman, Charlie O’Donnell, in his very detailed speech welcomed everyone to the banquet and remembered the foresight of the people who set up the County Board in Mountcharles in 1905.
One of the highlights of the night was the presentation of awards to one member of each club to mark the centenary and acknowledge their outstanding contribution to their respective clubs.
The local club members who received the Club Person of the Centenary Awards were: Bundoran - Jim Carr; Pettigo - James Gallagher; Aodh Ruadh - Jimmy Gallagher; Naomh Bríd - Michael Gallagher; Four Masters - Sean Dunnion/Gerry McCauley; St. Nauls - Willie O’Driscoll; Naomh Ultan - Terence McGinley; Killybegs - Bernard Conaghan; Kilcar - Charlie McDevitt; Naomh Columba - Cathal Doogan; Ardara - Columba Diver; Naomh Chonaill - Jimmy McKelvey.
Sean Dunnion
The U 16s had a very important victory at the weekend with a superb 4-0 win over St Catherines of Killybegs. This victory leaves the lads one win away from clinching the South Donegal Schoolboys League title with two games left to play, a home tie against Carrick Town and an away game with Copany Rovers.
This was an excellent result against a strong St Catherines side. Raymie McGroary, Patrick Kennedy, Ryan Early, and Owen Anderson were the scorers on the day. The club would like to wish Marty Byrne and the lads the very best of luck in the remaining few matches.
The Saturday league team have been free for the past two weekends but this weekend sees the team host Gweedore Utd at 2pm on Saturday afternoon at the Hospital.
The senior team recorded a very important 2-1 victory over Lifford Celtic last weekend. The importance of the win after our difficult start, overshadows the poor performance on the day, but after two consecutive victories the team have jumped up four places in the league table. Aaron Slevin was first on the scoresheet with a superb drive from the edge of the box after a great throughball from Darren Kelly. Kelly was also to get on the score sheet himself, he too scoring from the edge of the box with basically the last kick of the game.
No fixture has been set for next weekend at the moment.
During the last two weeks the Firsts suffered two narrow defeats losing 6-0 to table toppers Strabane and by 13-9 to YMCA. Donegal had their chances in both games. In the Strabane game they attacked for the first 40 minutes but the nearest they got to a score was one burst by Terry Mullin when he was held up just short of the line. Good defence by Strabane as our Terry needs a fair bit of holding up. Ask any of his second row partners!
Last Saturday up in Belfast, Donegal had to play almost the full game a man short as Shane Travers had to go off after the first minute of the game. But they played well in the first half, taking the lead by way of a Donal Martin penalty. In the second half YMCA spread the ball wide and Donegal eventually ran out of puff. However despite going 13-3 down they came back in the last 10 minutes with Donal kicking 2 penalties to leave the final score 13-9. I know that we should not criticise referees as it is a thankless job - but if players can have a bad match so can referees. Saturday’s referee seems to take an instant dislike to our team and blew them off the pitch. Things were not helped by the verbals of the Donegal boys. So keep your lips buttoned lads!
The Seconds played Dungannon down at The Holmes and won 6-3. Ronan Sweeney kicked two penalties before departing injured. Brendan Griffith took over the kicking duties and Mr Gump almost put one over from the halfway. Isn’t life just a box of chocolates? It was a great win by The Seconds and we had some young talent on the pitch. Seamus Maguire, Kevin McGinty, Gary Brogan, Barry Doherty, Timmy Corrigan and Peter McDyer all enhanced their reputations. We also had some of the old stagers on view with Gregory McGrory, Keith Anderson, Pauric Gillespie, John Doogan and Tony Byrne also togging out. John Doogan sneaked off the field early with an apparent injury but the other four had to play the full 80 minutes. They did well but age is showing on some them. As Keith Anderson said “Whenever I bend down to tie my boots, I wonder is there anything else I can do when I’m down there!”
There are no matches for the next two Saturdays. But the club-house is open on Saturday for the rugby international when the All Blacks take on Ireland. By this stage we are all sick of the Brian O’Driscoll controversy and perhaps a closer look at the New Zealand team selections this year would highlight the selection of one player who was convicted in February 2005 of assaulting his pregnant wife. Try defending than one Graham Henry.
LYIT 80 Donegal Town 49
LYIT Ladies continued their winning start to the season with an impressive win over Donegal Town on Saturday night. LYIT got the first point of the game with Mary Kelly scoring an easy lay-up after LYIT won the tip off. LYIT girls continued this pressure with Ellevyn Irwin dominating the offensive boards with 8 consecutive points in a row. Donegal replied with good outside shots from Lisa Harte and Suzie Harte, but scores from Ciara Brogan and Mary Kelly opened up a 10-point lead for the LYIT at the end of the first quarter. Donegal tried to come back at the start of the second quarter with Louise Rooney scoring some fine drives and her bonus free throw, but LYIT matched them basket for basket before they extended their lead with Mary Kelly running the fast breaks at every opportunity, and Irwin continuing to make her baskets inside leaving the score at half time 43- 24 LYIT. LYIT again dominated the third quarter with great outside shooting from Colleen Bradley and Bernie Cunningham with Irwin and Una Mc Cool controlling the boards. Donegal’s Sarah Daly kept LYIT from running away with the game with good drives punishing LYIT who were on team fouls. Daly made her free throws to hold the LYIT girls to a 23-point lead going into the final quarter. LYIT played excellent defence in the fourth quarter limiting Donegal to only 10 points with Ciara Buggy getting a 3-pointer and Suzie Harte hitting some nice outside shots. Anna Callaghan hit a fine outside shot to briefly narrow the gap. The LYIT girls kept the pressure on, with numerous steals and great passing opening up outside shots for Bernie Cunningham and Irwin and Brogan scoring offensive boards giving them a comfortable win. MVPs were Louise Rooney (Donegal) and Ellevyn Irwin (LYIT). Donegal Town: Ciara Buggy (7), Anna Callaghan (2), Suzie Harte (8), Deborah McMullin, Sarah Daly(10), Catherine Gillespie, Louise Rooney (13), Lisa Harte (7), Eimear McMullin, Sarah McCormac(2).
Coach: Bill Collins.
Donegal Town 69 LYIT 90
In the first meeting of the season after last year’s memorable league final. LYIT came away easy winners over a Donegal squad missing some of their key players. It was clear from the outset that in the absence of so many vital players Donegal were going to struggle. That said, after seven minutes of play, the score was tied, then Donegal began to allow IT play their running game. The rebounding and scoring of Indrek Puolokainen stood out as he helped his team to a 26-13 lead. Donegal played the better basketball in the second quarter. William Timoney began hitting bank shots, forcing IT to narrow their defense. Six points in a row from Gareth Britton then helped cut the lead down to 39-30 at half time. LYIT blew the game open in the third quarter with strong zone defence and numerous fast break scored they built a 20 point lead, Chris Bradley was particularly impressive scoring 8 points and Dan Mulholland added 9 in the quarter as the game was ended as a contest. LYIT didn’t let up until the final whistle continuing to play strong defence and have a balanced scoring act. Fine scored from Paul McHugh and Pavel for Donegal reduced the margin a little. Best for Donegal were Britton, McHugh and Timoney, while LYIT had excellent balance throughout the team. Donegal Town: Gareth Britton (13), Bill Collins (6), Paul McHugh (15), Simon Waugh (2), William Timoney (14), Fiachra McIntyre (7), Turlough McIntyre, Mark O’Donnell, Pavel (8), Kevin Doherty. Coach: Glen Matthews. LYIT: Mark Cannon (14), Pat Barrett (1), Indrek Puolokainen (16), Colm Nibbs (2), Chris Bradley (13), Stephen Cannon (6), Conor Boyle (5), Ger Murray (13),
Dan Mulholland (22).
Training continues on Friday nights in the AVS gym as usual: 7-9 year olds 5.30-6.30pm; 10-13 year olds 6.30-7.30pm; Senior Men 7.30-8.45pm; Senior Ladies 8.45-9.45pm. Both the ladies and men’s teams are at home to Kilcar on Saturday 26th, tip off times are 6.30pm and 8.00pm.
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