Donegal Town Basketball Club
The Club recently held a highly successful “Healthy Hoops” summer camp in which 65 young players were put through their paces. The focus was on improving players at all levels of their games, with fun based activities throughout the day, finished off with the camp little league in the afternoon. The overall standard and level of improvement of all players was extremely high, but those who stood out above the rest were: Ladies MVP: Onagh Begley; Mens MVP: Ryan Malley; Ladies MIP: Shannen Kelly; Mens MIP: John Meehan.
The Club is currently arranging a trip to the National Basketball Arena on Saturday 16th September for the Mens and Ladies European Championships. The men are in action against Cyprus, the Ladies against the Netherlands. There is a bus travelling up and down on the Saturday, details of departure times yet to be finalised. The cost is €25 for Under 18s and €35 for adults.
The club is also entering a team into the women’s under 18 National Cup. Trials will be held shortly with the intention of picking a team from all clubs in South Donegal.
On this October Bank Holiday weekend, we plan to celebrate 21 years of existence. We intend to have an over-35 tournament, running off league games on Saturday and the final on Sunday evening. Other highlights will include a Past V Present game for both the ladies and men, and underage exhibition games. The anniversary celebrations will culminate in a dinner dance in Pier One on the Sunday night.
For information on any of the above contact Kevin Sinclair at 086-8177419.
Basketball is continuing throughout the summer in the Bosco Centre with the men in action on Tuesdays 7-8pm and the Ladies on Mondays and Wednesdays 7-8pm.
Masters progress to quarter final
Termon 0-05 Four Masters 0-09
John Joe O’Shea’s charges avoided a play-off tie, when despatching with Termon at Burn Road on Saturday evening. Starting without injured county stars Barry Monaghan and Michael Doherty, a championship debut was handed to Conor McMonagle, stepping up from the reserve ranks into a forward unit which was also missing the injured Benny Byrne and Benny Cassidy, who was getting married on the day.
The tie commenced on a positive note for Termon with the first point from play, but the lead was short lived, as Four Masters attacking play generated three frees, duly pointed by Rory O’Donnell. The half forward line of Doherty, Clarke and Cassidy were very much on top in the possession stakes, but scores were not registered, and two late Termon points ended the first half on level terms at 0-03 each.
The second half resumption brought further good possession for Four Masters, with Shane Carr and Charlie Gallagher now dominating the exchanges in the midfield sector. O’Donnell picked up where he left off before half-time with a pointed free, which started a run of 5 points without reply, two excellent efforts from play by Barry Dunnion, another free from O’Donnell, and a fine effort from Ciarán Cassidy. With Dunnion now securing possession in the half back area, driving his team forward, Four Masters were well in control of the contest, leading by 0-08 to 0-03, holding Termon scoreless for 20 minutes of the second half. Termon did respond with 2 late points, but another O’Donnell free was effectively the insurance score on twenty-nine minutes.
Masters had excellent contributions from Karl Lacey, who minimised the threat of Kevin “Whappa” McMenamin, Barry Dunnion, Shane Carr and Rory O’Donnell. The return from injury, and introducion as second half substitutes of Michael Doherty and Peadar Espey will add to the competition for places on this team, as John Joe O’Shea sets his sights on the ultimate goal for 2006. Getting through this tie, which some commentators had initially pointed out as a potential upset, is a welcome boost for the Four Masters management, as their stop start season now begins to provide some continuity. Four Masters - P Durkan, D Cassidy, D Monaghan, S Browne, C Lacey, G Britton, B Dunnion 0-02, C Gallagher, S Carr, C Cassidy 0-01, K Clarke, J Doherty, C McMonagle, R O’Donnell 0-06, J Carr. Subs - M Doherty for C McMonagle, P Espey for J Carr. Kieran Espey
Club Donegal - GAA’s new fundraiser
Floodlit pitch in County by December- says Co. Chairman by Paddy Meehan
Last Wednesday evening in the Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town “Club Donegal” unveiled its plans. An innovative new scheme designed to draw financial support from both businesses and the loyal Donegal GAA fan base, a committee under the chairmanship of county manager Michael McLoone has been formed. Mr McLoone, who has been working on this project for the past months, has now drawn together some of the big hitters in the county – many of whom have offered financial support. He told the meeting that it is hoped to establish a corporate base of fifty investors who will commit €3,000 each a year for the next three years, plus a supporter base of approximately four hundred who will commit approx €300– 400 a year.
Explanatory letters on the wide range of benefits will be sent out in the next weeks to selected business people and loyal county supporters. With a start-up date of 1st September, the benefits will include advertising space on club match programmes, invitations to post Co. Final luncheons, promotional logo jackets etc. With the calibre of high profile business people to be approached, the committee is confident that the much needed finance will be raised to utilise in setting up proper structures for the success of gaelic football at all levels in this county. Committee members to oversee this project are Barry Jackson (Ballybofey); Michael McGinley (Finglas), father of top golfer Paul McGinley; PJ Doherty (Gweedore); Feda O’Donnell (Annagry); Liam Clancy (Bundoran).
Co. Team Manager Brian McIvor told the attendance that the footballing calibre of both the minor and senior panels in this county is amongst the best in the country - but the proper structures are not there to provide back-up to these players eg. no proper floodlit pitches or fully fitted gyms. He singled out Four Masters & county team member Karl Lacey as one of the best players in the country at present but said he and his team-mates need structures to properly train and progress. Mr McIvor went on “Since I took over co. team management last year, I have brought in a wide range of training procedures. I intend to concentrate very much on these in the coming months. Given the proper funding, my team of skilled trainers/dieticians; physios and mentors can take the mental and physical training of the Donegal squad to a higher level. My team and I fully support the Club Donegal initiative.”
Co. Chairman Charlie O’Donnell said it is hoped to provide one proper floodlit field for winter training by December. In answering a question from the floor, Mr.O’Donnell said that he would like to see ‘a Centre of Excellence’ for Co. Donegal to cater for all types of sport and would be confident that the ‘Club Donegal’ scheme may form the nucleus of such a centre.
