Marathon Men
These four Donegal men ran the New York Marathon on Sunday November 6th - Mike Murphy, Eamon Shovlin, John Ward and Phonsie O’Donnell
Snooker Club Notes
Congratulations to Joe Gallagher who won his first senior competition on Sunday evening with a closely fought 3-2 comeback over young Matthew Mahon. There will be a full match report appearing in the next issue.
The Christmas hamper competition has just got underway with the quickly improving Henry Duignan versus the experienced Oliver Plunkett as the eye-catching tie of the first round. The turkey competitions are also taking place on Sunday afternoons starting at 2:30. The format is based on a one frame knockout basis with the semis and final best of three. Henry Duignan, Rory Buchanan and Justin Thomas were winners of the earlier competitions. The County Donegal Snooker League with teams from Donegal, Northwest, Convoy and Ramelton is also due to start next week.
Drumbar FC Notes
Tidy Towns Presentation Night
 On Monday last, November 14th, Club Secretary, Paddy Brogan, was presented with a certificate from the Tidy Towns Committee on behalf of the club. This certificate is in recognition of the way in which the club house and grounds are kept throughout the year. The grounds are all at their best during our annual inter-firms competition when our loyal locals flock to see their favourite teams competiting over the six weeks.
The club would like to take this opportunity to thank the spectators for using the bins kindly sponsored by Laghey Waste and also the children who helped with the general clean-up.
We would also like to thank FAS for their support and Kevin McGroary and James Anthony McGroary, FAS Facilitator, who keeps the grass cut and everthing in order. Thanks are due also to the Ladies committee, grounds and interfirms committees.
The U16 team were narrowly defeated in the Barry Cup (National Competition) by Glengad on Saturday November 20th in Drumbar. At half-time both sides went in all square despite the fact that Drumbar had the better first half but couldn’t score. 15 minutes into the second half, Glenard seized the moment and put the ball in the back of the home-side net Drumbar fought back but it just wasn’t their day, hitting the wood-work - Drumbar 0 - Glengad 1.
Training as usual on Tuesday 7pm in Drumbar.
Our seniors have played only one game in the league during the last fortnight, result Dunlewey 3 - Drumbar 2. This Sunday we play Fintown Harps in the cup and hopefully we can get back to winning ways. Training on Tuesday nights 7pm in Drumbar. Fridays at the all-weather pitch.
The U12s will play the return match against Douglas Bridge under the cross-border initiative on Sunday November 27th at 2.30pm in Drumbar. We urge parents/families to come out and support their team. Following the match both teams will proceed to Pier 1 for a meal.
The club would like to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Jonathan Kennedy for his kind donation.
A fun soccer match will take place on Saturday 26th November at 2pm in Drumbar in aid of a local charity. We would ask for your support please.
A reminder that the table quiz in aid of the club will be held in O’Donnell’s Bar on Thursday December 8th.
Training schedule: U10s, AVS gym, 6-7pm, Wednesday; U12s, AVS gym, 7-8pm, Wednesday; U14s, AVS gym, 8-9pm, Wednesday.
Our U11 training in Drumbar is being very well attended on Saturdays at 11am. Barry and Michael will be only to glad to welcome anyone who hasn’t been all year.
Gabriel O’Donnell,
PRO
New York Ladies
G.A.A. Player of the Year
Pictured: Denise being presented with the ‘Player of the Year’ award by Nollaig Cleary, Chairperson, New York Ladies G.A.A.
On Saturday night last Denise Dunnion was presented with the New York Ladies G.A.A. ‘Player of the Year’ awardfor 2005 at a function in Westchester Manor, Hastings on the Hudson, New York. Playing for Kerry/Donegal Ladies, Denise was honoured for her outstanding year of football and also picked up a Budweiser ‘Player of the Month’ Award for April, as well as being selected on the Budweiser New York All Star Team for 2005. Congratulations to Denise on a magnificent achievement.
Finn Harps Supporters Club
So after a long season Harps relegation to the First Division was finally confirmed with a two nil loss to Drogheda United in the second last game of the season. It just confirmed what all Harps fans feared, and most Harps fans expected, after a very disappointing season.
A small crowd of the Harps faithful turned up last Saturday night to watch the team’s last game in the premier division for at least a season. The game finished 4-2 to Bray Wanderers and the performance was typical of the rest of the season’s, poor to say the least. On the last game of the season last year, Harps lifted the first division title, little did we think that this season would be such a contrast.
If we have learned one thing from this season it is that things will have to change at Finn park. The lack of preparation pre-season is probably the biggest factor in our poor season. Everyone associated with the club realised funds had to be released to strengthen the squad before the season started. However these funds weren’t forthcoming, there was an increase given in the player budget, but not enough to reflect the difference in wages between the two divisions.
As in any business, the board will have to spend money to try and be successful, this season showed the players you pick up on free transfers and players that are out of contract are just not good enough for the premier division.
With the recent resignation of the Finn Harps chairman Peter Toner there will be at least one change on the board, but maybe one change is not enough. Hopefully the shareholders of Finn Harps realise it’s time for something different when it comes to electing a board at the next AGM.
The Supporters Club presented their ‘Player of the Season’ to Finn Harps goalkeeper Gavin Cullen at the Bray Wanderers game last Saturday night. Gavin was probably the main reason Harps were still in with a chance of staying up with just a few games to go.
There will be a supporter’s club end of season table quiz in The Chasin’ Bull in Bundoran on Friday the 2nd of December at 9.30pm. Everyone is welcome - and a good nights craic is promised.
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