Donegal Girls finish 4th in British Finals
Donegal’s Under 13 Girls Sportshall team put in a magnificent team performance at the British finals in the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, on Sunday. Representing Ulster and competing against thirteen regional teams from England, Scotland and Wales, the twelve girls team finished 4th after four hours of competition.
Aoife O’Connor, a 1st yr student at the Abbey Voc School was the outstanding individual of the team. Following very competitive qualification heats she went on to win the sprint two lap race by the narrowest of margins – the first Donegal athlete to achieve such a ranking. Later in the afternoon she finished 6th –1.40m in the High Jump competition. School and St John Bosco club mate Louise Harvey, also had a number of successes. She finished 4th in the 6 lap race, 7th in the High Jump and teamed up with Catherine Wilkie, Loreto/Letterkenny AC, to win the exciting 8 lap Parlauf relay. Stranorlar Voc School/Finn Valley’s Nicole O’Leary had an excellent Putt of 9.59m to finish 5th in the Shot competition. Carrick Voc/Sl.Liag’s Amy O’Donnell also gained good points in this competition. Catherine Wilkie added more valuable points, with a 4th place finish in the 4 lap final. Gemma Haughey, Abbey Voc/St John Bosco added to the team total with a good performance in the vertical jump. Relays are always exciting. Three Donegal teams qualified for finals.The Parlauf team of Wilkie/Harvey won, the 4 x 1 lap team of Amy Brogan, Abbey Voc. St John Bosco, Molly O’Gara and Mary O’Kennedy, both Scoil an Linbh Iosa/St John Bosco and Ciara McGarvey, Finn Valley collected silver medals and the 4 x 2 lap team of Amy Brogan, Aisling Cunningham, Commons NS/Killybegs AC, Aoife O’Connor and Monica O’Connor, Loreto/Letterkenny AC won bronze in the last event of the day.
Well done to the complete panel and to Managers Vera Haughey/Louise McGettigan/Gillespie
Result: Essex 1261, Birmingham, 1161,Cheshire 1120, Donegal 1057.
Name, Event, Position, Best Performance: Aoife O'Connor, 2 Lap Race, 1, 22.30; High Jump, 6, 1.40; Gemma Haughey, Vertical Jump, 20, 38.00; Louise Harvey, 6 Lap Time Trial, 4, 1.00, High Jump, 7, 1.35; Molly O'Gara, Speed Bounce, 16, 74.00; Amy Brogan, Vertical Jump, 21, 38.00; Mary O'Kennedy, Standing Long Jump, 16, 2.05; Monica O'Connor, 6 Lap Time Trial, 9, 1.00, Speed Bounce, 18, 73.00; Catherine Wilkie, 4 Lap Race, 4 ,48.00; Standing Triple Jump, 12 , 6.24; Amy O'Donnell, Shot, 21, 6.77; Nicole O'Leary, 4 Lap Race, 24, 52.90; Shot, 5, 9.59; Ciara McGarvey, Standing Triple Jump, 25, 5.36. Aisling Cunningham, 2 Lap Race, 21, 24.30; Standing Long Jump, 24, 1.88. - Eamon Harvey
GIRLS U13
DIVISION TWO NFL FINAL FINISHES ALL SQUARE
Four Masters Doherty proves his value by ending up league top scorer
Brian Roper obviously picked up some tips from the Ballyshannon rugby playing fraternity as this ‘hand-off’ demonstrates. (inset) Roper is shown the book by referee Pat McGovern pic: Jason McGarrigle
A great second-half Donegal comeback means they must meet Louth again this weekend to determine who claims the 2006 national football league Division Two crown.
On a day of draws, Sunday’s Division Two decider at Breffni Park was an absolute thriller, which finished on a scoreline of Donegal 0-17, Louth 3-8.
The Wee County – arguably the most improved team in the country this year – made a flying start and led by five points at the interval. But the introduction of All Star attacker Adrian Sweeney had a major bearing on the match as Donegal almost grabbed a spectacular victory.
In the end, however, the draw was a fair result and next weekend’s rematch at the same venue promises to be an intriguing encounter – though neither side will want to over-extend themselves with the championship looming.
In front of 12,000 spectators at the Cavan county grounds, Louth assumed control of the game with a run of 2-2 without reply in the second quarter. Aaron Hoey fired the first goal at the end of a flowing three-man move and Mark Stanfield’s penalty gave Eamonn McEneaney’s side a 2-5 to 0-6 interval lead.
Adrian Sweeney terrorised Louth when he came into the fray and was the instigator of a magnificent fightback. The Ulster side struck six unanswered points at one stage and Louth would undoubtedly have been beaten but for a timely goal from St Joseph’s clubman Martin Farrelly.
There was good performances by Four Masters men, Barry Dunnion, Barry Monaghan, and Michael Doherty. Keeper Paul Durcan was on the bench and many felt that Durcan’s larger physical presence may have been more effective in goal - the ‘keeper for the day, Michael Boyle, conceeded 3 goals (1 penalty).
Congratulations to Michael Doherty on becoming the League’s top scorer - his points yesterday moved him into the number one spot above Westmeath’s Dessie Dolan.
One worrying factor for Donegal though must be the attendance. The 12,000 crowd was made up mainly of Louth fans and supporters of the Mayo and Tyrone minor match. The Louth contingent was much more numerous and vocal and provided them with much needed boosts during a tough second half.
The replay will be held in Breffni this Sunday at 3.30pm - Donegal fans are urged to attend and shout on their team for this important League final.
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