Thursday 25 October 2018

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Thursday 25 October 2018

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Clarity sought over Short Stay Ward reopening plans Urgent clarification from the Government is being sought over its pledge to reopen the 19 bed Short Stay Ward at Letterkenny University Hospital.

Donegal TD Pearse Doherty raised the issue after receiving a response to a Dáil Question on the issue of new hospital beds in which the Minister failed to specifically cite Letterkenny as one of the locations where additional beds will be rolled out next year.

Deputy Doherty said: “When I sought clarification from the Government over recent days about its plans to provide additional hospital bed capacity and queried the locations and time frame for the delivery of these new beds, there was no reference made to the Letterkenny Hospital in the Minister’s reply.

“Instead, the Minister simply responded to state that in early 2019 an additional 80 hospital beds will be brought on stream and these included an additional 30-bed ward in Our Lady of Lourdes Drogheda, a 40-bed modular ward block in South Tipperary General Hospital, and four high dependency beds in the Mater and Cork University Hospital respectively.

“The Minister went on to give some vague details about the government allocating an additional €10 million in capital funding next year for further acute beds as part of the Winter Initiative 2019/20.

“It’s now vital – given the severity of hospital overcrowding and lack of capacity at LUH – that the Government immediately provides clarity in respect of these plans to reopen the Short Stay Ward in Letterkenny.

“This is why I intend to now raise this issue once again with the Minister where I will be demanding clarity in relation to the unit and when it’s expected that the short stay facility will be reinstated at the hospital.”

Answers sought over continuing delays of expensive project

COMPLETION OF TWIN TOWNS PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE DELAYED THE NEW SEA A Finn Valley councillor is calling for answers in relation to the continuing delays regarding the completion of the expensive new pedestrian bridge over the River Finn between Ballybofey and Stranorlar.

Cllr Patrick McGowan, Cathaoirleach Stranorlar Municipal District, has called on the Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Donegal County Council to explain the delay.

He wants all works completed without any further delay.

"Since the schools opened in September there has been hun-

dreds of students and other pedestrians crossing this bridge daily," he said, adding: "Weekends can be as busy with pedestrians and traffic trying to pass one another in this restricted space when one side of the bridge is fenced off due to the construction."

Cllr. McGowan has now released details of an official reply that he has recieved from a council engineer about the bridge.

It stated: "The completion of the Finn footbridge has been delayed as a result of a number of technical issues which have

THE acutely aware of the urgency in having the bridge open to the public and appreciate the patience of all concerned.

"The new footbridge will provide a much needed pedestrian crossing over the Finn which will be of great benefit to the local people, school pupils and visitors and it is something that has been fought hard for over a number of years for the twin towns.

"The work is being done to a high quality and standard and will cost in the region of €800,000 and is fully funded by TII."

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arisen during construction and there are a number of contract items that the Council are concluding with the Contractor over the next week."

The Council is engaging with the contractors, Deane Public Works Ltd., in progressing the scheme and reaching completion in advance of the busy upcoming Christmas shopping season.

At this stage the remaining work involves completion of the parapets and installation of bridge lighting which will be completed in the coming weeks.

The engineer added: "We are

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FinnValleypost Thursday 25 October 2018

NEWSBRIEFS Donegal gold

Four gold rings unearthed in Donegal earlier this year, date back to the late Bronze Age, experts have confirmed.

The rings, which are on public display at the National Museum of Ireland, are among the heaviest hoards of gold on record to be discovered in Ireland.

The four gold rings, weighing just over 4kg, which were discovered in a field in Tullydonnell Lower in East Donegal, will also go on temporary loan to the Donegal County Museum next year.

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Letterkenny University Hospital recently held a Quality and Patient Safety Symposium with over 500 participants from all disciplines attending over the course of three days.

Quality and Patient Safety Symposium at LUH Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) recently held a Quality and Patient Safety Symposium, which was open to all staff in the hospital.

The event was very well attended with over 500 participants from all disciplines and grades taking part over the course of three days.

The programme consisted of presentations on quality and patient safety topics including falls prevention, recording and

preventing pressure ulcers, medication safety and HIQA Standards.

In addition there were targeted 30 minute parallel workshops open to staff.

There was huge support from staff at local and regional level and many specialists gave their time to facilitate workshops.

The main event organisers were Eileen Egan and Tina Porter from the Quality and Safety Department with support

from Dr Anne Drake, Director of Nursing and Quality and Safety Lead at the hospital.

Commenting on the success of the event Sean Murphy, LUH General Manager said: “There was huge enthusiasm from all levels of staff in the hospital and the initiative was widely supported by all disciplines.

“The engagement by staff in the Quality and Patient Safety Agenda was confirmed

with the feedback highlighting that 100% of participants found the information sessions relevant to their practice and they would change their practice as a result.

“This is tangible evidence of delivering a quality culture here in LUH. “The symposium is now set to become an annual event keeping the culture of patient quality and safety at the forefront of the LUH agenda.”

PEACE IV cross border heritage programme The purpose of the programme is the provision of the research, management and facilitation of a bespoke programme that will engage and develop sustained linkages through shared heritage between Mid Ulster District Council and Donegal Co. Council and groups within these areas.

The shared heritage will focus on The O’Neill and clans of Ancient Ulster with significance for Mid Ulster and Donegal.

The programme presents an opportunity for joint working between both Councils and local interest groups.

The programme is not only focused on bringing people together from across the border but also people from different community and religious backgrounds; with the aim of seeking to make a positive contribution to building a cohesive society and developing sustainable cross border contacts.

This project is supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) The timeline for the delivery of the Programme is to commence June 2018 and complete May 2020.

Pictured at NUI Galway’s Conferring Ceremony, were (l-r): Robert Delaney, from Mullingar, Co. Westmeath; Conan Fowler from Monaghan Town; and Steven Doherty from Letterkenny, who were conferred with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce. PHOTO: Aengus McMahon.

NEWS 3

FinnValleypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Finn Valley Men's Project to host official launch of Through the Lens art exhibition The Finn Valley Men’s Project will host the official launch of the Finn Valley Men’s Choir and the Churches Through the Lens art exhibition on November 6 at 6.30pm in the Alley Theatre, Strabane.

The project is a cross border cross community project funded by the International Fund for Ireland and supports men becoming involved in groups in their own areas with the aim of promoting dialogue between different political and religious communities on both sides of the bor-

der.

The Churches through the Lens Art Exhibition has seen more than 90 men researching the various religious churches in the Finn Valley area and has produced an exhibition illustrating the diversity of religious cultures in the region.

The project has used art as a means to building positive community relationships in the border region.

The Art exhibition is open to public viewing from Tuesday, November 6 to Saturday, November 10 in The Alley

Theatre, Strabane.

The Finn Valley Men’s Choir is the first all male Cross Border/Cross Community Choir in the North West.

Group singing has steadily increased in popularity recently, as it is known to have a positive effect on health and overall well-being.

Over 30 men from the Donegal and Tyrone border regions, many who will be taking to the stage for the first time, have come together as one to perform as the Finn Valley Men’s Choir.

They will entertain with a wide selection of music and song including, Melodies from the Beatles, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra and other well known artists.

A great night’s entertainment is guaranteed for all age groups.

More information is available by contacting finnvalleymen@gmail.com Tickets are £5 available at www. alley-theatre.com or by calling the box office on 028 71 384444. As this is a popular event, early booking is advised.

NEWSBRIEFS St Eunan's, Raphoe church renovation

St Eunan’s Cathedral in Raphoe is set to announce details of its ambitious ‘Renovation Project 2020,’ under which an extensive programme of works will be undertaken to improve the fabric of the church.

The Dean of Raphoe, the Very Rev Arthur Barrett, and the select vestry see it as their responsibility to restore and preserve the church for future generations.

You or a representative of your organisation are invited to attend, where The Dean and the select vestry will launch a campaign to raise the €650,000 needed to complete the project in Cathedral Hall, Raphoe, at 8.00pm on Friday, October 26.

They will also premiere a new short film about the cathedral which has been specially commissioned by the select vestry.

Ivy Bridge repairs

Congressman Richard Neal pictured with Cllr Martin Harley, Leas Cathaoirleach of Donegal Co. Council during his recent visit to Lifford bridge. Also pictured is, front row: Johnny Kelly, Border Communities Against Brexit, Michaela Boyle MLA, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, Sighle Fitzgerald, North South Ministerial Council. Back row: Cllr Tom Conaghan, Joe Peoples, Cllr Ciaran Brogan, John Sheridan, Border Communities Against Brexit and Tom Murray, Border Communities Against Brexit.

Work to repair the Ivy Bridge in Cloghan will be complete before Christmas, it is understood.

Donegal Co. Council says the fixing of the collapse and the reopening of the bridge is being treated as a priority with phase 1 of works due to commence in the coming weeks.

Initial works will aim to ensure the bridge is reopened as soon as possible with a second phase of works due to commence in 2019 which will involve the removal and replacement of the parapet walls.

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4 NEWS NEWSBRIEFS EPA report finds raw sewage at eight Donegal locations Residents in Donegal are being put at risk of untreated water, a new report has found.

The report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that raw sewage was being discharged into the local environment at eight different separate areas across the county.

The affected areas in Donegal are: Burtonport, Coolatee Housing Scheme, Falcarragh, Kerrykeel, Kilcar, Moville, Ramelton and Rathmullan.

The report also found that 19 urban areas in Donegal needed improvements to resolve environmental priorities.

These are: Ballintra BallybofeyStranorlar, Bridgend, Burnfoot, Burtonport, Carndonagh – Malin, Convoy, Coolatee, Falcarragh, Kerrykeel, Kilcar, Kilmacrennan, Lifford, Milford, Moville, Ramelton, Raphoe, Rathmullan and Termon.

Pioneer Association

The monthly meeting of the Letterkenny Pioneer Association will take place on Friday, November 9 at 8.10pm in the Pastoral Centre.

There will be a member of the Pioneers outside the sacristy after the evening Mass on Saturday, November 10 and all Masses on Sunday, November 11 to give information about or if someone wishes to join the association.

FinnValleypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Young musicians rehearse for new Martin Tourish commission Seán Feeny

A Donegal traditional music group is about to begin rehearsals for its fourth commission by internationally acclaimed musician and composer, Martin Tourish.

Coirm is a group which was was set up by Letterkenny-based Ceol na Coille School of Irish Traditional Music as a platform for young musicians to perform nationally and internationally.

To-date some of its members have performed throughout Ireland, UK, Europe and also the USA with sister school, North Dallas and Austin school of Traditional Music.

The group has commissioned renowned musicians to write new music, raising the funding for the projects themselves, with additional support by Donegal Co. Council’s Arts Office.

Dr Seamus McGuire, Zoe Conway and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh were the first artists to be commissioned and the fourth in as many years has been composed

by Martin Tourish.

A current member of Altan, the Ballybofey native is a renowned musician in his own right and rehearsals are now

underway with the group.

Paul Harrigan of Ceol na Coille, and director of Coirm, said there is great excitement surrounding the new commission being composed by a local musician held in such high regard in national and international music circles.

“We began the process a few years ago with our first commission from Seamus McGuire who is an internationally known musician living in Donegal.

“This was a great first project for the then newly-formed group and we were absolutely delighted that Seamus came on board in writing a piece of music for the group and was so encouraging for the young musicians and so generous with his time.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for these fine young musicians to travel, experience the performance and social side of our traditional arts and build knowledge and friendships that will other qualities through performance and sharing experiences.”

Past pupils and performers of Ceol na Coille and Coirm have continued to study music in Maynooth, University of Cork, Galway, University of Limerick at the World Center of Irish Traditional Music & Dance and University of Ul-

Donegal set to go to the polls in Presidential vote Lower Main St, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

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Coirm performing during Trad Week 2017.

ster.

Many of these have reached high achievements at London College of Music and SCT Examinations and at All Ireland Chomhaltas Fleadh competitions. The new commission will be performed by Coirm officially during Letterkenny Trad Week where the

group will be supporting Altan.

The group will also be performing Mairéad Ni Mhaonaigh’s Failte an Earraigh, Coirm’s commission from 2017 that evening as well as supporting Dr Seamus McGuire, John Lee and Zoe Conway during the week-long festivities.

Voters in Donegal will go to nonsense”. the polls on Friday to elect He also described TravelIreland's new President. lers as “basically people that The six candidates vying are camping on someone for the Áras are: Michael D else’s land” and asserted that Higgins (incumbent), Sean they are “not paying their fair Gallagher, Gavin Duffy, Joan share of taxes in society”.

During the campaign Sinn Freeman, Liadh Ní Riada and Féin had to remove a poster Donegal-based Peter Casey.

Mr Casey has courted con- of its candidate Liadh Ní troversary following com- Riada after it was vandalised ments he made on a podcast at the Manorcunningham about the Travelling commu- roundabout, outside Letterkenny. nity.

Polling stations across the The former RTÉ Dragons will be open from Den star claimed that 12:00 the county Mon: 01:00 State’s recognition of the 7am on Friday morning with Travelling community an counting Tues:as12:00 - 01:00due to begin on Satethnic minority is “a load of urday morning.

Opening/Closing Hours: Wed: 12:00 - 01:00 Thur: 12:00 - 01:00 Fri: 12:00 - 03:30 Sat: 12:00 - 03:30 Sun: 12:00 - 01:00

Donegal based Presidential candidate, Peter Casey.

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Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

King ‘Patsy Dan” was the real jewel on the Tory Island Crown Michael McHugh & Chris Ashmore The King of Tory Island, Patsy Dan Rodgers, returned to his beloved Tory Island, to be buried.

With his charming character, wit, artistic abilities and boundless energy, he managed to transform a tiny dot of an island off the northwest coast of Ireland, into a haven of world renown.

He championed the cause of island life and used his ‘Kingship’ to highlight the inequalities of rural communities throughout Ireland and further afield.

Earlier, his remains were removed from Dublin to the Christ the King Church, Gortahork for Rosary then going to Carrickfinn Airport for removal to an island, that he helped to be known throughout the world.

Aged 74, he died in Dublin’s Mater Hospital at the weekend.

Harry Corry INTERIORS

Members of his family were at his bedside.

A keen promoter of everything connected with the island, he was known by many and held in high esteem.

Indeed, he made a point of greeting many visitors to the island over the years.

He was passionate in his support for various projects to improve life on the island and he was a strong supporter of the Irish language.

Tribute

Tributes were led by the President, Michael D Higgins: “All those who love Irish culture and language will have been greatly saddened by the death of Patsy Dan Rodgers, known as the ‘King of Toraigh’ and widely respected as an advocate for Ireland’s island communities.

“His love for Toraigh island and its people was evident in his art and his campaigns, and he was an outstanding ambassador for the

island in all its welcoming diversity.”

Known in Irish as Patsaí Dan Mag Ruairdhrí, he was involved in numerous campaigns.

He was born in Dublin in 1944, and was adopted at the age of about four.

He was strongly influenced by English artist Derek Hill who had a small hut on the island.

And Patsy Dan became a noted painter himself, and inspired the Tory Island painters.

He became ‘King of Tory’ in 1990 after the family of the last King, Padraig Og Rodgers asked him to take over.

Numerous messages of sympathy were posted on social media within hours of his death, including this one from the Irish Coast Guard.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen, daughters Breda, Majella, Christina and son Sean, son-in-law Daniel and two grandchildren Dean and Fionn.

6 NEWS

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Pictured at the National Women in Enterprise event in Burt last week were from left - Brenda Hegarty, Assistant Head of Enterprise in Donegal, Larissa Feeney of accountantonline.ie; Grace Korbel, Local Enterprise Office; Maire Morris, fashion consultant; Heidi Higgins, fashion Designer; Eileen Kelly, Enterprise Europe Network and Jenny Holloway of Fashion Capital.

Need for more female entrepreneurs highlighted at Donegal event Donegal needs more female entrepreneurs and the female led businesses already in the county need to be encouraged to act locally but to grow globally - that was one of the key messages from the National Women in Enterprise event held in Burt last week.

The event – one of 16 held across the country – heard Brenda Hegarty, Assistant Head of Enterprise in Donegal, explain that the number of women in enterprise in Ireland and in Donegal is under represented.

Brenda said: “The gap is narrowing, but it is still too high. Men are twice as likely to start a business than females. We need to encourage more female led businesses to act locally and grow globally.

“This is particularly important given our peripheral location and the recent uncertainty over Brexit. Thinking globally and acting locally is the key to the success of the local economy.”

She also explained that in Donegal

only around 16% of the Local Enterprise Office’s client base is from female-led businesses, adding that 28% of male entrpreneurs as opposed to just 9% of female entrepreneurs expect to have 10 or more employees in five years.

“The figures are stark, but events like the National Women in Enterprise event will help shine a light on the issue, address the gap and hopefully inspire more females to start and grow a business in Donegal,” she said.

Thursday’s event held in An Grianan Hotel in Burt also heard from a panel of speakers including global expert in the business of luxury fashion, Máire Morris; Larissa Feeney, founder and CEO of accountantonline.ie; awardwinning designer Heidi Higgins and international fashion industry expert, Jenny Holloway of Fashion Capital in London.

In her address, Larissa Feeney of Accountantonline.ie urged those

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in attendance to always treat their business as a business from the very start.

“If you are just starting out there are things you need to consider, like whether you should be a sole trader, a partnership or a Limited Company, but you also need to treat your business as a business from the very outset.

“Write down your goal and then work towards your goal, that will mean the decisions you make in your business will align towards that goal,” she said.

Jenny Holloway urged those in attendance to feel the fear – and then do it anyway.

Explaining that she would talk about “spectacular failures,” she advised women not to let fear of starting put them off trying to start their own business.

“Failures do occur, but you just brush yourself down and then you make it work the next time,” she

said.

Jenny, also announced details of a huge opportunity for fashion businesses involved with the Creative Coast initiative in Donegal to link in to an exciting opportunity in London in 2019.

In her address Maire Morris insisted there was never a better time than now to be a small, independent business.

“There are still too few women in business, but there are opportunities for women to resonate with consumers – so many of whom are women.

With every change comes opportunity and it is much easier now than ever for small brands to get to global markets.”

Award-winning designer Heidi Higgins urged businesses thinking globally to make sure they produce to global standards. She also highlighted the importance to building a brand.

“I entered every competition there was, it was a great way of building

a profile and getting exposure,” she said.

With that in mind, Brenda Hegarty reminded those in attendance that applications for the Donegal Business Awards are currently open and she added that businesses should also make sure they are aware of the full range of supports and services on offer from the Local Enterprise Office.

“We are delighted for instance that this event had the additonal support of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) – the largest support network for SMEs combining international business expertise with local knowledge. Businesses in Donegal seeking to find out more about EEN should contact Eileen Kelly at the Local Enterprise Office.”

Details of the Donegal Business Award contest and details of supports and services available from the LEO are available from the web site – localenterprise.ie/donegal

NEWS 7

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Donegal ETB secures EU PEACE IV funding for three projects over two years

Donegal ETB has successfully secured €500,000 of EU PEACE IV funding for three projects that will run until June 2020.

The three projects focus on Community Leadership (€230,000 in partnership with Donegal Local Development CLG and Inishowen Development Partnership), Restorative Practices (€200,000) and Youth Work (€70,000).

They are supported by the European Union’s Peace IV Programme, managed for the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) by Donegal Co. Council.

The projects were launched by Donegal PEACE IV Partnership Chairperson Cllr Paul Canning after Donegal ETB’s October meeting.

The Community Leadership programme seeks to build the capacity of community leaders and potential community leaders from ten community hubs in areas that have suffered from the legacy of the Troubles, have high unemployment, early school leaving, where there is a risk of dissident activity as well as a high level of social deprivation.

It will foster an understanding of

peace and reconciliation, engender an awareness of issues that lead to discrimination, stereotyping and sectarianism, facilitate the development of a network of partners from community, voluntary and statutory organisations and agencies with a strong cross-community element and a focus on peace and reconciliation activities and it seeks to mitigate any potential radicalisation by building skills, knowledge, competence and positive attitudes to support economic and social development.

The Restorative Practices project builds on Donegal ETB’s successful Peace III funded Restorative Practices project which took place from 20112014, including the recommendations of the research report Developing a Whole System Approach to Embedding Restorative Practices In Youthreach, Youth Work and Schools in County Donegal carried out for that project.

It will involve nineteen post-primary schools (ETB and non-ETB), Youthreach (early school leaver) centres and youth work organisations from across the county.

The project seeks to improve positive

relationships between and for young people, staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, train participants in accredited and non-accredited approaches to Restorative Practices and to develop an understanding of alternative ways of dealing with conflict.

The Youth Work project seeks to support youth volunteering by developing and providing more training opportunities for young people on a cross-community basis.

The focus will be on awareness training in equality and interculturalism, youth-friendly equality, prevention of racism and sectarianism.

Delight

Speaking after the launch of the ETB’s Peace IV funded projects, Donegal ETB’s Chief Executive Anne McHugh said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding from the Peace IV programme. As an ETB in a border county, it is important that we play our part in supporting the conflict transformation process here in this region.

“We will do this by enabling the people of Co Donegal to build positive

relationships through these projects.

Donegal ETB has a proven track record in delivering Peace funded projects, having done so under Peace II and Peace III, and we look forward to continuing this under Peace IV over the coming years.”

All three projects are funded under priority 1 of the Peace IV programme, promoting peace and reconciliation.

The Community Leadership programme and the Restorative Practices project are funded under action 4.1 of the local authority peace plan which focuses on the promotion of positive relations at a local and regional level, characterised by respect and where cultural diversity is celebrated and people can live, learn and socialise together, free from prejudice, hate and intolerance.

The Youth Work project is funded under action 2.2. of the local authority peace plan which focuses on enhancing the capacity of children and young people to form positive and effective relationships with others of a different background and make a positive contribution to building a cohesive society.

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Match-funding has been provided by the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

Donegal PEACE IV Partnership Chairperson Cllr Paul Canning formally launched the projects.

Cllr Canning said: “This is a substantial amount of funding. At the heart of the Donegal Peace Plan is awareness of each other’s culture and learning to live with each other’s cultures.”

Apart from Donegal Co. Council as the lead partner, Donegal ETB is the only partner organisation that is delivering programme activity as part of the Donegal PEACE IV Local Action Plan, accounting for more than 16% of the overall funding being delivered in Donegal for specific programme activity on the ground under Peace IV. Further updates on these projects can be found on Donegal ETB’s website (www.donegaletb.ie) or social media accounts – Facebook/Twitter (@ DonegalETB), YouTube (Donegal ETB) and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/ donegaletb) accounts, following #PEACEIV.

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8 NEWS

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Donegal Association Dublin appoint new chairperson The Donegal Association Dublin held their Annual General Meeting recently in the Bonnington Hotel, Drumcondra.

This has been another wonderful year for the Donegal Association in Dublin, despite Storm Emma causing a change to the calendar of events it didn’t impact on the interest and excitement around the annual Gala Ball in the Ballsbridge hotel.

Elaine Caffrey paid tribute to all those who helped to make her term as Chairperson such an enjoyable time.

She thanked the media, the sponsors and the members. She also thanked the hard-working committee and recognised the contribution made by the committee and those who have stepped down from the committee this year.

Kevin McFadden from Carrigart has taken on the role as Chairperson of the Association. Hugh Harkin from Cresslough stays on as President.

PRO Siobhan Shovlin acknowledged the

great support of the media for publicising events to wider audiences throughout the course of the year.

"The publicity they give in both promoting and attending our events is extremely important in keeping the Donegal community in touch with what is happening in our association.

"Our committee are delighted to welcome new members to the committee, Aine Monaghan, Aisling Cox, Geraldine Doherty, John Cunningham and Francis Doherty. We look forward to the year ahead with a wealth of new talent and fresh ideas.

"We wish our outgoing committee members well and look forward to welcoming them to our events in the coming year," Siobhan said.

Upcoming events

On Sunday, November 11 the Donegal Association will hold their annual Mass

of Remembrance in the Bonnington Hotel, Drumcondra at 6.30pm.

Deceased members and friends of the association will be remembered on the night. Everyone welcome to attend.

The search is on for the next Donegal Person of the Year. The closing date for receipt of nominations is November 30.

Any individual or any group may nominate a person – the main criteria being that the person nominated should be from Donegal and have made a significant contribution to the promotion of the county at local, national or international level.

Nominations should set out the reasons for the nomination and include supporting documentation and endorsements from individuals and groups.

Nomination forms may be downloaded from the Association’s website: www.donegalassociation.ie or alternatively email info@donegalassociation.ie.

For further details contact 087 905 1300.

Kevin McFadden and Hugh Harkin at the recent AGM in Dublin.

Calls for Minister for Health to provide home support services for older people A local TD is demanding urgent action from the Minister for Health over the government’s ongoing failure to provide adequate home support services for older people across Donegal.

Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty made his comments following a report released this week by Care Alliance Ireland, which has revealed that Over 65s face

greater difficulty accessing homecare than a decade ago.

The damning study comes following the release of figures to Sinn Féin, which revealed that as of May 2018 there are 179 people across the county waiting to receive homecare packages.

Teachta Doherty said: “Over recent weeks, I have been contacted by many families across

Donegal who have conveyed deep concern for the wellbeing of elderly relatives who, despite having applied for a home care package many months ago in order to meet their personal care needs, they have yet to receive any homecare hours.

“And while understandably the HSE can only deliver Home Support relative to the funding it receives, it’s obvious that not

enough funding is being made available to the executive to meet the demands which are being placed on the service.

“The result of this is that some older people are waiting for long periods of time to access these supports, and some of those who can access Home Support are not receiving enough hours of care.

“The state has a responsi-

bility to ensure that the care needs of our older citizens are met and that they are cared for with dignity and respect, yet the current situation clearly demonstrates that this is not the case for many of our Over 65s.

“That is why this week in the Dáil I have tabled a number of Parliamentary Questions to the Minister for Health in which I

will demand that he produces the latest data in respect of the wait times for Home care packages across the county.

“Similarly, I will also be calling on him to take urgent action to address the chronic waits being experienced by all those older people who today remain in their homes without the adequate supports in place.”

NEWS 9

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

New Donegal ETB chairperson elected Donegal ETB has announced that County councillor Martin Harley has been elected as Chairperson of Donegal ETB. Mr Philip McGlynn has also been elected as Deputy Chairperson.

Speaking about his election Cllr Martin Harley said: “I am delighted to be elected to this important role with Donegal ETB. “As the largest education and training provider in Donegal, Donegal ETB manages fifteen out of the county’s twentyseven post-primary schools, is the largest provider of Further Education and Training (FET) in the county, manages Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre, the Donegal Music Education Partnership and has legal responsibilities

for youth work.

“In 2017 over 26,000 students and learners availed of education and training through all its schools, centres, programmes and services.

“I look forward to working with the staff of Donegal ETB over the next year to support young people and adults in communities across the county to achieve their educational goals.”

Donegal ETB Chief Executive Anne McHugh said: “Congratulations to our new Chairperson Cllr Martin Harley on his election.

“I would also like to extend my congratulations to Mr Philip McGlynn on his election as Deputy Chairperson and I look forward to working with both of them over the coming year.”

Newly elected Donegal ETB chairperson Cllr Martin Harley pictured with outgoing chairperson Cllr Rena Donaghey and Donegal ETB Chief Executive Anne McHugh.

Illness benefit fiasco causing huge distress - Donegal TD claims

Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue.

Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue has called on the Minister for Social Protection to urgently address ongoing issues with the processing of illness benefit claims.

His offices have been inundated with queries from those awaiting payment, many of whom are in very difficult financial circumstances whilst being ill.

“There has been an increase in delays to payments over the past number of months as a result of a dispute between GPs and the Department of Employment Affairs &

Social Protection over the forms, a new processing system which is failing to recognise forms, and the move to centralise the processing system,” said Deputy McConalogue.

Distress

He added: “I have had a number of people contact my offices, extremely distressed because they are not receiving their illness benefit.

“There are cases of payments being delayed over three weeks, while others are only receiving partial payments. This is causing undue

anguish for people who have bills to pay.

“It’s clear that the necessary preparations were not made in advance of introducing this range of changes to the processing system and the Minister must take responsibility for these delays.”

“I welcome Minister Regina Doherty’s commitment to allocate additional staff to the section but I would also like assurances that the new system will be monitored to ensure that more issues do not arise in the future,” he concluded.

NEWSBRIEFS Tractor & Vintage Car Run

Sidney Borland’s 70th Birthday Tractor and Vintage Car Run (in association with Donegal Vintage Club Ltd) will take place this Saturday, October 27.

Registration and breakfast from 9.30am in All Saints Parish Church Hall, Newtowncunningham.

Tractor run departs at 10.30am. Car run departs at 11.00am. €15 per vehicle (includes breakfast and lunch for drivers).

All modern, classic and vintage tractors welcome. Lorry and trailer parking available at AJ Cleaning, Main Street, Newtowncunningham.

Spot prizes to be won. Contact 0868538449 for details.

All proceeds for the benefit of Croi, the West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation.

Pop-up Gaeltacht

Líonra Leitir Ceanainn is holding its next Pop-Up Gaeltacht on Friday, October 26 in The Cottage Bar from 8pm until late.

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10 NEWS

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

The Letterkenny One Act Drama festival committee.

Letterkenny One Act Drama Festival returns The Letterkenny One Act Drama Festival returns for the fifth year next weekend having successfully hosted the All-Ireland festival last year.

This year’s festival sees nine groups from all over the country competing in both confined and open hoping to win a place at the ADCI All Ireland finals The Festival kicks off at An Grianan theatre on Thursday, November 1 with the Seamus O Kelly

players from Loughrea, Co. Galway with Lucy in the Sky by Tony Layton.

The Wild River Drama Group from Ballinrobe represent Mayo with Melody by Deirdre Kinahan and closing on Thursday evening are The Venue Players from Ratoath Co. Meath with Keeping Abreast by Eileen Kavanagh.

Friday, November 2 brings Theatre 3 from Newtownabbey with A bench at the Edge by Luigi Jannuzzi

followed by Corn Mill theatre group with From Under the Bed by Seamus O Rourke. The Coolgreany Drama Group finish the Friday night line-up with Mr Foot by Michael Frayn.

On Saturday evenings grand fi nale, we have The Sillan Players Cavan with The Long Wet Grass by Seamus Scanlon followed by Bradan Players from Lucan, Co. Dublin with Aubade by Mark Yates and bringing the festival to a close are Gunpowder Productions from Ballincollig

Co. Cork with Wittgenstein in the West by Stephen Toomey.

There is a wealth of quality drama on offer here with black comedy, heart-warming love story, social drama, comedy and politics all from top quality amateur groups.

Several groups will make a welcome return to The Letterkenny One Act Festival which has established itself as a key event in Irelands amateur festival circuit.

The festival welcomes back pro-

fessional actor and director Paula Dempsey as adjudicator who was with the festival last in 2016.

As well as all this there will be musical entertainment in the foyer on Saturday night with Pat Campbell and Joe Coyle and a comedy interlude with Letterkenny’s funniest Andy McGranaghan.

The committee would like to thank the Station House Hotel for their generous sponsorship of this event.

Donegal farmers benefit from millions of special funding Almost €36 million in special funding has been paid out to support farmers in Donegal this year.

“This funding, made under the Basic Payment Scheme for 2018, will have a real positive impact on rural

communities,” Mr McHugh said.

“I understand from Minister Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed that 7,563 applicants from Donegal were paid in the first tranche of the advance

payment.

“Further payments will be made in December.

“Our farming families in Donegal are the heart of the local and rural community and it is through supports such as farm payments that

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we are encouraging the next generation of farmers to stay on the land.”

Minister McHugh said the first round of payments, which commenced earlier this week, under the Basic Payment Scheme are worth

€35.7million.

“These payments give a significant financial boost for farmers, their families and rural communities around the county,” Minister McHugh said.

“It is also worth noting that

the Department has made arrangements to set the Basic Payment Scheme advance payment at 70%, rather than the standard 50%, which shows the importance that the officials place on this support.”

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

11

12 NEWS

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

An Open Letter from Presidential candidate Peter Casey Okay, I’m just going to say it: I’ve been troubled the last couple days.

To read articles that say I am a racist hurts.

To hear the Taoiseach, who I always respected, say people shouldn’t vote for me also hurts, deeply. I was so shaken up by it all; I considered dropping out of the race.

To hell with it, I thought, if people want to believe all the nonsense then I’m just throwing up my hands and walking away from politics.

Then something happened, something remarkable.

I received literally thousands of texts, emails, and phone calls saying: “Don’t quit. You’re the only who talks about the issues with honesty.”

“You are the one candidate, who isn’t reciting the same political malarkey we’ve been hearing forever.”

“Stay in the race. And furthermore, no one is telling me whom to vote for.”

To get that kind of support was amazing. And has made me more determined than ever to remain in the race.

First off, about the Travelers’.

Anyone who has followed my campaign knows my number-one issue has been diaspora. Having lived around the world, I recognise the strength of the worldwide Irish community.

No matter where you go, you would be shocked how many people, many who’ve never even visited our country, identify themselves first and foremost as “Irish”.

More than 40m “Irish” live in the United States right now; more than a third of all Australians are “Irish”; and there are seven-times as many “Irish” living outside Ireland than within our

borders. This “Irish” pride, which contains many of the worldwide leaders in politics, business, and science, is our greatest untapped asset.

Any country would love having this asset and like I have often said: Why should we act like a small country, when we are already a great nation?

I have spoken at length about all the ways to harness this Irish pride to strengthen Ireland’s prominence.

And I will do whatever I can to unite the worldwide Irish communities, whether they are in Boston, Bombay or wherever.

And when someone talked to me recently about the Travelers’ who have lived in Ireland for centuries, I rightly viewed them as “Irish” too.

They live in our country, go to our schools, and vote in our elections. In fact, I believe, if we all accepted them more as “Irish”, we would do so much more to remedy their longstanding problems, like chronic unemployment, homelessness, and a suicide rate that is six-times the national average.

I respect the Travelers’ culture and traditions, but I will always think them first and foremost as “Irish” too.

If that is wrong, I am not apologising.

There isn’t enough space to go into great depth about all my campaign’s concerns and promises, so I will just quickly cover them off here: Homelessness is a terrible problem.

Every child should have a “home”, that is beyond debate. I believe we need better and more inventive urban planning in Dublin; we have to make rural Ireland much more attractive to businesses; and I think we should emulate FDR’s GI Bill and create a national program that helps first-time homebuyers purchase homes. It will

Independent Presidential candidate Peter Casey.

not be easy, but history demonstrates it can be done.

Living in Donegal, right across the water from Northern Ireland, I know how miserable internet service is in rural Ireland. It makes conducting business and all communications too difficult.

Recently, near my home, I came upon a horrific accident and we couldn’t get in touch with an ambulance in time to help the person. So I know the anger and frustration rural Ireland feels.

We don’t need to bury more cable or spend hundreds of millions on infrastructure or be held hostage by governmental indifference.

There are 4G solutions, which can be implemented simply and inexpensively.

And lastly, how do we help so many of our people who have trouble making ends meet and cannot escape living pay cheque to pay cheque?

Michael G. Shiel & Co.

SOLICITORS

The struggling class among the squeezed middle class!

As much as I won’t have the power to make change, I will be the First Citizen and as such I want to influence the government in power to support every man, woman and child in the country.

We need to acknowledge the hard working taxpayers of this country and reward them for being the lifeblood of our economy and not penalise them.

The average working family of John and Mary with two kids watched that budget two weeks ago to see what was in it for them.

What thanks the government were going to give them for getting up in the morning and sacrificing their time to pay taxes to fund the state.

Guess what, they got nothing or least very little apart from a reduction in USC 0.25% Meanwhile they watched couples

in the same situation on benefits get an increase of hundreds of Euro per year when you include increases in all benefits from March.

How do you think that makes people feel? Then we wonder why the nation is dividing.

I want to state that there are many people very vulnerable in this country, who are disabled, elderly, in care or for whatever reason can’t work and they deserve every penny in support if not more.

But Ireland is slowly become a welfare dependent state, with a sense of entitlement that’s become unaffordable.

The socialist politicians are focusing all their interests on welfare and social housing but have forgotten about the bill payers, the mortgage payers and the taxpayers.

Where is the incentive work in this country?

We have become a nation of people who expect, no demand that the state looks after them.

Pay all of their bills, provide them with homes provide all sorts of social benefits. As proud Irish people, we are better than that.

We need to restore our national pride and or national identity.

Where are the rewards and support for the families who are getting up early day in the morning for work, struggling to pay their home and children’s’ bills?

All I’ll say is, as a lifelong entrepreneur and businessman; we all need to work together to create new ideas and programs that will make life easier and better for more people.

If you feel the same way too, vote for me. We will get along well.

Peter Casey

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Faith matters publishes an extract from Father Alan Hilliard SJ’s reflection on the Pope’s exhortation Gaudete et Exultate.

“Those who really wish to give glory to God by their lives, who truly long to grow in holiness, are called to be single-minded and tenacious in their practice of the works of mercy.

St Teresa of Calcutta clearly realises this: ‘Yes, I have many human faults and failures… But God bends down and uses us, you and me, to be his love and his compassion in the world; he bears our sins, our troubles and our faults. He depends on us to love the world and to show how much he loves it. If we are too concerned with ourselves, we will have no time left for others.’ (Para 107) “When I read this letter I sensed the great challenges that Pope Francis put before me.

I’d prefer not to hear many of them.

“At the same time as he challenged us, however, he gives us the conviction that we can overcome these problems if we are attentive to the gospel message.Whether we feel this is ‘an era of change’ or the ‘change of an era’ we need to find a starting point. Gaudete et Exsultate gives us plenty of possible starting points, and provides us with the encouragement to get going on the journey.

“Whether we feel buoyant in an era of change or capsized by the realisation that we are living through a change of era, Gaudete et Exsultate is an anchor that will give us pause, and hold us still.”

Father Hilliard’s reflections are available in his book Happy to be Holy published by Messenger Publications, 37 Lower Leeson Street, St Kevins’, Dublin D02 W938 Telephone +353 1 676 7491.

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

How happy are we in Donegal?

How happy are we in Donegal?

That’s the question that a new survey being undertaken by Donegal Co. Council’s Research and Policy Unit is trying to answer.

This survey, known as the Donegal Happiness Survey is being undertaken on behalf of the Donegal Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), who want to find out how residents in Donegal rate their quality of life, their satisfaction levels with existing services, their links to their surrounding community and their expectations for their futures.

Cllr Martin McDermott, Chair of the Donegal Local Community Development Committee, said that he is hoping that as many people as possible will take part in this survey.

“We are keen to hear from all parts of Donegal and from people of different ages, backgrounds and interests about what is important to them and how they would rate their quality of life in Donegal,” Cllr McDermott said.

He added: “This survey will be car-

ried out on an annual basis and it will provide an important benchmark on the quality of life that currently exists across different rural and urban locations in the county.

“The findings will help us inform future plans and policies of the Donegal LCDC and all the agencies and partner organisations involved with the committee.”

Donegal LCDC is made up of elected members, council officials, representatives from state agencies, private and community and voluntary sector and is responsible for the six year Local Economic and Community Plan and coordinating local and community development activity in Donegal.

This survey will is live until Sunday, October 28 and can be completed online at www.donegalcoco.ie or can also be filled out in written form with questionnaires available at a number of outlets around the county including Council offices, Libraries and Community Centres.

work with younger and older people in the community towards the creation of new performances based on the themes of bingo!

The project will be evaluated through UL led by Dr Niamh McGabhann with the intention of developing a symposium on the outcomes.

The Arts Council confirmed the award as part of their

NEWSBRIEFS Annual launch

The Ballybofey, Stranorlar & District Historical Society will launch their fifth Annual on Thursday, October 25 in The Villa Rose Hotel, Ballybofey at 8pm.

The Annual will be launched

by Stephen McCahill, a former Donegal Person of the Year.

All welcome.

Coffee Morning

There will be a coffee morning on November 3 from 11am-2pm in Kilmacrennan Community Hall.

There will be face painting, traditional music, a raffle and plenty of goodies.

All proceeds to Donegal Irish Wheelchair Association.

St Conal's annual Mass Members of Cara House, Letterkenny with Susan McCauley and Martin McBride from Donegal Local Development Committee getting ready for the Donegal Happiness Survey.

Donegal to benefit from additional €73,000 Arts Council award The Arts Council has awarded €73,000 to a regional project between Donegal, Limerick and Kerry County Councils to deliver a unique and ambitious intergenerational project with Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre called Bingo Wings.

Bingo Wings will see aerial and circus artists in residence in the three counties who will

NEWS 13

‘Invitation to Collaboration’ scheme aimed at Local Authorities, which promotes unique collaborations through working better together and promoting high quality access to and engagement with the arts.

Speaking at the launch, Director of the Arts Council, Orlaith McBride said: “We are inspired by the ambition and

creativity of the proposals we receive from Local Authorities.

“Collaboration between the Arts Council and local authorities is where we see public engagement in the arts at its most informed, most considered and most artistically ambitious.

“I am delighted to confirm that Donegal County Coun-

McNulty’s XL Kernan’s XL Blaney’s Store XL Doherty’s XL Moore’s XL Roarty’s XL McGranaghan’s XL McElhinney’s XL McGuinness’ XL Swllly Food Stores XL Seaview XL

Orchard Park Drumkeen Main Street Main Street Loughanure Dunlewey The Diamond Main Street Culdaff Gortlee Malin Head

cil was successful with its regional partners and I’m confident this funding will help foster a unique and exciting collaboration between younger and older people alongside Fidget Feet Aerial Dance Theatre.

“The role of UL in supporting a symposium in 2019 on the topic will be of national interest."

Donegal Town Letterkenny Kerrykeel Carrick Gweedore Gweedore Raphoe Manorcunnlngham Culdaff Letterkenny Ballygorman

Oldtown XL Cassidy’s XL McDaid’s XL Carbery’s XL Breslin’s XL Cleary’s XL Golen XL Blaney’s Stores XL Bradley’s XL JD’s Quick Stop XL

The annual Mass for the deceased members of staff and service users of St Conal's will be held on Friday, November 16 at 2.30pm in the CMNE, Education Centre, Mulroy room (ground floor) St Conal's.

Refreshments will follow. All welcome.

Petermarkathon

Drag queen dress up, complimentary blow-drys and raffles, it’s that time of year again at Peter Mark!

The annual Petermarkathon fundraiser is back and coming to Peter Mark Letterkenny from October 26-28.

Oldtown Millin Street Main Street Rathmullan Killybegs Abbey Garage Main Street Lagg Main Street Grahamsland

Letterkenny Ballinra Newtowncunningham Main Street Donegal Road Ballyshannon Glenties Milford Killygordon Castlefin

14 PICTURE SPECIAL LOCAL

EVENTS Photos: Clive Wasson

Stewart McClean, Deputy Master of Loyal Orange Lodge 1063.

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

OfďŹ cial reopening of Newtowncunningham Orange Lodge

Cllr Martin Harley, Leas-Chathaoirleach of Donegal Co. Council speaking to invited guests.

Graham Park, Bettie Holmes, Cllr Rena Donaghey and John Roulston.

Sean McClafferty, Fintan Houston and John Borland.

Graham Parke, Joe McHugh TD, Veronica McClean, Elaine Devenney and John Roulston.

Donegal TD and Education Minister Joe McHugh speaking at the official opening.

Marie Doherty, Annette Callaghan and Florence Roulston.

Members of the Newtowncunningham LOL 1063 Orange Hall with guests at the official opening.

Included are speakers: Adrian Johnston, IFI, Andrew Ward, Inishowen Development Partnership, Cllr Martin Harley, Stewart McClean, Deputy Master of Loyal Orange Lodge 1063, Joe McHugh TD, Keith Roulston, LOL 1063, Seamus Neely, CEO Donegal Co. Council and Graeme Parke, LOL 1063.

Jim Devenney and Senator Padraig MacLochlainn.

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

LOCAL

EVENTS Photos: Clive Wasson

PICTURE SPECIAL 15 OfďŹ cial reopening of Newtowncunningham Orange Lodge

Keith Roulston and Stewart McClean, Newtowncunningham Orange Lodge with Cllr Martin Harley at the official opening.

Guests at the official opening of Newtowncunningham Orange LOL 1063 Hall.

Cllr Rena Donaghey, Cllr Michey Doherty, Ciaran Friel, Seamus Neely, CEO Donegal Co. Council and Cllr Jack Murray at the official opening of Newtowncunningham Orange LOL 1063 Hall.

ABOVE: Cllr Jack Murray, Senator Padraig MacLoughlin, Stewart McClean and Dillion McLoughlin.

LEFT:Eoin Egan, Department of Foreign Affairs, Mary Moy, Programme Manager International Fund, Stewart McClean, Deputy Master of Loyal Orange Lodge 1063 and Dr Adrian Johnston, Chairman IFI.

Superintendant David Kelly and Keith Roulston.

Alfred McClean with Superintendant David Kelly.

Keith Roulston, LOL 1063 Newtowncunningham showing the Prince William III floor murial to Canon David Crooks, Donegal Joe McHugh, Seamus Neely CEO Donegal Co. Council and Cllr Mickie Doherty.

16 CARTOON

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20 NEWS

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Another voice

by Mark Loughridge, pastor of Letterkenny New Life Fellowship.

He can be contacted on 074 9123961 or mark@newlifefellowship.ie

A most blasphemous nation?

There is a certain irony about this Friday’s referendum on blasphemy.

Ok, so it is a law that hasn’t been used much — once in 1995 and then previously back in 1855. It would look as if there hasn’t been much need for it.

Yet, was there ever a nation that used God’s name so carelessly and flippantly as ours?

A visiting alien could be forgiven for thinking that we were the most religious of people — for the words ‘God’, ‘Jesus’, ‘Holy’, ‘Christ’, etc. never seem to be off our lips. Yet it means precisely nothing— mere verbal filler. It shows how little value we place on God. I was speaking to a Pakistani Christian in the United States last week.

He is in Ireland occasionally on business and told me that he found the perpetual misuse of God’s name that permeates Irish conversation really offensive. He couldn’t believe it.

It’s everywhere — on the streets, on television and radio. On the rare occasion that a presenter will apologise for someone’s casual blasphemy he is looked at as if he is a pre-historic relic.

We might say that no one means any offense by it, that it is just a meaningless way of speaking. That’s mostly true, yet that is precisely what God says he will not ignore.

The third of the Ten Commandments reads, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7).

The Davies family enjoying the last Harry Potter event at Oakfield Park.

What precisely does ‘in vain’ mean? It means in an empty or pointless way.

That describes much of the way it is used in ordinary conversation.

What a frightening verdict hangs over the vast majority of people on this island: “for the Lord will not hold them guiltless who takes his name in vain.” We are damned by our speech.

There will be no safety in numbers, it will be no excuse to say, as one person said to me, “But I don’t mean anything by it”—that’s precisely the point!

Atheists would scoff that there is no God, and that they disbelieve in the God of the Bible as much as any gods of mythology. Why is it then that they don’t say, “O my Thor” or “Holy Vishnu”?

It is, in particular, the name of the God of

the Bible that is misused and devalued.

I think that’s because deep down we know He is real, so we verbally try to relegate him to nothingness.

Not that I think the blasphemy law will ever be used to prosecute this, but I do think that it has a place in our constitution. It is an echo of God’s law for mankind.

And it functions as a reminder that we are not free in our speech to say what we like, but that one day we “will have to give account for every careless word we have spoken” (Matt 12:36).

So whatever way the referendum goes we need to take a long hard look at our speech, repent, and seek forgiveness through the one whose name we so casually abuse — Jesus Christ.

Harry Potter experience at Raphoe's Oakfield Park This weekend, Oakfield Park will once again be transformed into a magical world of witchcraft and wizardry for the Harry Potter Hogwarts Express Experience.

Harry Potter fans are invited to dress as their favourite characters, take a ride on the Hogwart’s Express, meet famous characters from the world-famous books including Albus Dumbledore, Dobby and Nearly Headless Nick and even get the chance to play a refereed game of Quidditch on Donegal’s first Quidditch pitch.

There will also be free Harry Potter themed arts and crafts.

In Buffers Restaurant, visitors can enjoy Harry Potter movies, feast on Harry Potter themed candies and sample some Butter Beer.

There is no additional cost for this event; just entry fees to the park as normal.

The park is open Saturday 27th, Sunday 28th and Monday 29th October from 12pm to 6pm and the event runs throughout the day.

For more information visit oakfieldpark.com or call +353 (0) 74 91 73068.

Exciting Halloween family event in Ray Outdoor School This Friday, Ray Outdoor School will host a fun event for all the family entitled ‘Halloween Fun in the Forest.’

The outdoor school, located in Ray, Rathmullan will offer children a Halloween experience like no other, combining the magic of the outdoors with lots of fun and games.

The event is open to the public and children do not have to be attending childcare at Ray Outdoor School to come along and enjoy the night.

Halloween Fun in the Forest takes place on Friday, October 26 from 6-8pm and entry is €6 per children or max of €20 per family.

Owner of Early Learning Schools, Sally O’Donnell, is looking forward to a great evening: "We’re full steam ahead for the Ray Outdoor School Halloween Fun in the Forest event this Friday night.

"This is our third year running the event and children really love the storytelling

Pictured are children and staff enjoying the event last year.

around our forest fire and traditional Halloween games.

"It’s a great event for anyone with small children who want to experience Halloween in a fun way."

To book for the Ray Outdoor School Halloween Fun in the Forest family event, contact the Early Learning Schools’ team on 086 410 7974.

For more information visit www.earlylearningschools. ie or visit the Early Learning Schools’ Facebook page.

NEWS 21

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Five community groups honoured at Mórtas Ceantair Pride of Place Awards Ceremony Five community groups in Donegal have been honoured for their pride in their community at this year’s Mórtas Ceantair Pride of Place Awards Ceremony.

Comhairle Paróiste Chill Chartha, Cill Chartha; Ard McGill Residents Association, Na Gleanntaí; Ceol le Chéile Dhún na nGall; Ray Community Centre, Rath Maoláin; Amazing Grace Initiative, Bun Cranncha were honoured at a special Pride of Place local celebration award ceremony hosted

by Donegal County Council in Letterkenny Public Services Centre recently.

The Príomhfheidhmeannach (CE) Seamus Neely and the Cathaoirleach, Clr Séamus Ó Domhnaill chomh maith le fear an tí, Charles Sweeeney welcomed the five community groups and their supporters, elected members and staff to the awards ceremony.

The Pride of Place Competition is hosted by Cooperation Ireland under a Donegal County Council initiative which aims to support and recognise community groups who actively strive to improve their communities and regions.

Groups from all over the county applied to Donegal County Council for the Pride of Place competition and five

groups were selected to represent the county at national level.

Each of the groups gave the national Pride of Place judges a very warm céad míle fáilte during their visit to the county at the beginning of July this year and gave a comprehensive presentation of the work done to date and their aspirations for the future development of their communities.

The winners of the national competition will be announced at a Gala dinner in Cork City Hall on Saturday, November 17.

Praise

Chief Executive, Seamus Neely congratulated all five community groups on winning the local competition and wished them well in the national competition.

Dúirt sé go bhfuil sé ag súil go mbeidh ar a laghad cúpla duais ar ais go Dún na nGall leo!

The Cathaoirleach, Cllr Seamus O’Domhnaill praised each of the groups for the tremendous contributions being made by them to their respective communities.

He spoke of the pivotal role such community groups play in helping the mental and physical health of community members which he said was

Fiona Boyle accepts Pride of Place recognition from Cathaoirleach Séamus Ó Domhnaill on behalf of Ray Community Centre Group.

particlarly relevant this week as the Council’s Social Inclusion programme of events is presently taking place.

Mhol sé go mór obair na

ngrúpaí seo agus ghuí sé gach rath orthu sa chomórtas náisiúnta ag deireadh na bliana.

The Cathaoirleach presented

each of the groups with a beautifully framed certificate of recognition which will undoubtedly serve as a reminder of their enduring ‘pride in their

place’.

Bhí solaisti ar fáil agus Bri Carr agus a mac Ben, agus iníon, Kayala provided ceol breá bríomhar don ócáid.

22 FASHION

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

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24 CINEMA

MOVIE OF THE

WEEK Director: Bryan Singer Starring: Rami Malek, Ben Hardy, Mike Myers Genre: Drama Run Time: 135 minutes Release Date: October 24

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody is a foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury. Freddie defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet.

The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound.

They reach unparalleled success, but in an unexpected turn Freddie, surrounded by darker influences,

shuns Queen in pursuit of his solo career.

Having suffered greatly without the collaboration of Queen, Freddie manages to reunite with his bandmates just in time for Live Aid. While bravely facing a recent AIDS diagnosis, Freddie leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music.

Queen cements a legacy that continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.

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Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

DRIVE 25

Letterkenny Post To advertise in Drive contact Suzanne Callaghan on suzanne@rivermedia.ie or Mobile: 077 1008 0559

Clar Road, Donegal Town Tel: 074 97 21396

www.dmgmotors.ie

26 DRIVE

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

ŠKODA SCALA: A new name for

a new compact model

• • • • • •

ŠKODA have announced the name ‘SCALA’ will be given to their ‘RAPID’ model successor The name ‘SCALA’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘stairs’ or ‘ladder’ This brand new model will be unveiled to the public before the end of the year The model will land in Ireland next year in time for the 192 registration period The SCALA will be the first European model by the brand with ŠKODA lettering at the rear Design language will be based on the emotionally charged VISION RS concept unveiled at the Paris Motor Show earlier this month.

15th October 2018: ŠKODA has today revealed the name of its new compact model – ŠKODA SCALA. The name comes from the Latin word ‘scala’ which means ‘stairs’ or ‘ladder’ and will mark the next step forward for the Czech car manufacturer in this compact segment. It has also been confirmed today that the new SCALA will be the first European model by the brand to carry ŠKODA lettering in the middle of the tailgate, in place of the more accustomed ŠKODA logo badge.

Bernhard Maier, chairman of the board of ŠKODA AUTO, commented: "With the new ŠKODA SCALA we are proposing a new chapter in the compact class of ŠKODA. It is a completely new development that sets

standards in terms of technology, safety and design in this class. Thus we are confident that SCALA has the best chance to redefine the A-segment for ŠKODA." With SCALA, ŠKODA presents its new emotional exterior and interior design language for the first time in series form. This design language has already made a stir at the Paris Motor Show in the form of the VISION RS concept. With this new model, the Czech brand also promises a big leap in technological advancement and innovation offering features that so far are found only in higher segment vehicles.

Speaking today, Raymond Leddy, Head of Marketing and Product at ŠKODA Ireland commented:

“We look forward in anticipation to the new SCALA, which will be a game changer in this segment for ŠKODA. Based on feedback and public reaction to the Vision RS concept, this design language will suit the Irish palate perfectly and we see no reason why we can’t challenge the established models in this segment such as the Ford Focus, Toyota Auris, Renault Megane and Opel Astra” The ŠKODA SCALA will be unveiled in December and will be available in Ireland from June 2019, in time for the 192 registration period.

For further information visit: www.skoda.ie

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

DMG MOTORS, Clar Road, Donegal Town. Tel: 074 97 21396 | www.dmgmotors.ie

DRIVE 27

28 DRIVE

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

SEAT’S NEW FLAGSHIP MODEL SEAT goes big with the New SEAT Tarraco • Tarraco is SEAT’s third SUV and represents the company’s entry into the large SUV market, completing the family line-up, joining the Arona and Ateca • The large SUV offers greater flexibility for customers with both 5 and 7-seater options • The Tarraco is the first model to show the new SEAT design direction • The large SUV will enter the Irish market for the 191 peak in February 2019 with orders being taken from November 2018 the perfect balance between a sporty feeling when you are behind the wheel, and a more comfortable ride when you need to cover longer distances, on different types of roads. The driver can select which setting they prefer, but the system can also adapt automatically, modifying the ride depending on the road surface and driving style.

The smoothness of the ride quality is matched by the performance, efficiency and reliability of the powertrain options. All engines benefit from direct-injection, turbocharging and start-stop technology and offer power outputs of between 150PS and 190PS. Two petrol variants will be available: a four-cylinder 1.5 litre TSI unit that produces 150PS and is linked to a six-speed manual transmission powering the front wheels, and a 2.0 litre, 190PS offering mated to a seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4Drive total traction system. There are two diesel options, both 2.0 litre TDIs, with power outputs of 150PS and 190PS respectively. The 150PS variant can be connected to either a front-wheel drive, six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG with 4Drive system. The higher powered version is solely available in 4Drive/seven-speed DSG gearbox. Later on, the SEAT Tarraco will also benefit from alternative powertrain technologies.

The new SEAT Tarraco has all the driving assistance systems needed to make driving more comfortable and secure, even in more demanding driving environments. Well known systems such as Lane Assist and Front Assist including bicycle and pedestrian detection are standard in Europe, while systems such as Blind Spot Detection, ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), Light Assist are available as options.

Dublin, 18/09/18 –The new SEAT Tarraco is here. SEAT’s latest creation is named after the Mediterranean city of Tarragona, a historic, cultural centre with awe-inspiring architecture and a young and adventurous spirit. This name was chosen by popular vote by the more than 140,000 enthusiasts who participated in the final phase of the #SEATseekingName competition.

The latest vehicle designed and developed at the SEAT factory in Martorell (Barcelona), and produced in Wolfsburg (Germany), marks the third instalment in the company’s SUV product offensive, and shows a glimpse of the future design language of the new SEAT models. As the new flagship model of the brand, the Tarraco looks set to bring the company new customers, boost its brand image, and increase profits due to its high contribution margins.

The new Tarraco sits at the top of SEAT’s SUV family, as the bigger brother to both the Ateca and Arona, and mixes stateof-the-art technology, dynamic, agile handling, practicality and functionality with elegant and progressive design.

The Tarraco combines the many advantages of its larger dimensions to offer a vehicle that can take on all elements of modern life.

The new SUV blends the key attributes of every vehicle in the SEAT range: design and functionality, sportiness and comfort, accessibility and quality, and technology and emotion; but in a form factor that suits a wider variety of lifestyles. The new SEAT Tarraco is designed for drivers who need the usefulness of a 5 or 7-seater, and the practicality of a higher driving position, but are conscious of a vehicle’s aesthetics. These drivers will appreciate the Tarraco’s balance between selfconfidence and elegance; this balance is maintained across both available trim levels, SE and Xcellence.

As the SUV market continues to expand, the Tarraco will play a key role for SEAT when it is introduced at the beginning of 2019, strengthening the brand and aiding further growth at a time when the company’s sales are rising steadily already.

Between January and August, SEAT delivered 383,900 vehicles worldwide, an increase of 21,9% over the same period in 2017.

In Ireland SEAT’s sales are up 13.5% on 2017 year to date with SEAT’s current SUV range comprising of the Arona and Ateca contributing significantly to this success accounting for 44% of the total volume of sales thus far in 2018.

Niall Phillips, Brand Director at SEAT Ireland said: “We are very excited to welcome the Tarraco to Ireland in February of next year. There has never been a greater demand in the Irish market for SUV vehicles and SEAT has been satisfying this demand over the past two years through its existing SUV range comprised of the SEAT Ateca and Arona, models which have enjoyed remarkable success.

The introduction of the Tarraco now allows SEAT to target a different customer segment again and we are extremely confident it will resonate with Irish motorists.

Its introduction is another key milestone in the overall evolution of SEAT with the brand now on a continuous upward curve enjoying superb sales success and offering motorists an increased variety of high quality vehicles. “

Engineering excellence The SEAT Tarraco has been engineered for drivers looking for excitement and functionality in a single vehicle. People who need the practicality of up to seven seats and the space to transport family and friends, but appreciate a vehicle that reacts to the driver’s inputs and offers dynamic performance.

The key to its nuanced approach to practicality and dynamic behaviour is the latest technology from Volkswagen Group and the MQB-A long wheelbase architecture that underpins the large SUV. The Optional Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) setup gives

Taking safety to the next level for SEAT the Tarraco SUV also includes Emergency Call, Pre-crash Assist and Rollover Detection, meaning no matter what the situation, the vehicle is designed to meet the most demanding safety standards in order to make the large SUV the benchmark model in the segment.

Designed for life Bigger dimensions inspired the design team to find a greater balance between aesthetic integrity and purposeful proportions. And even though the Tarraco SUV is 4,735mm long and 1,658mm tall, creating a huge interior space and an imposing exterior, the overall design implies a lightness and agility as well as a robustness and perception of space.

The front design gives a hint to SEAT’s new design language, with a more prominent grille, giving greater presence and character, and while the sharp Full LED headlights retain the company’s triangular signature they are set further into the body, giving a more focused appearance.

Lighting technology forms an important aspect of the Tarraco. The SUV uses 100% LED technology for both the exterior and interior as standard on both the Xcellence and SE trims, giving designers greater creative freedom and the customer cleaner, crisper lighting.

And as our world becomes increasingly digitised the Tarraco’s interior benefits from SEAT’s 10.25’’ Digital Cockpit, streamlining the delivery of important information to the driver, and a 8’’ large, floating HMI screen where occupants can access SEAT’s suite of connectivity options. Finally, when it comes to infotainment systems, The Tarraco will be the first SEAT to feature gesture control functions (when equipped with 8’’ Navigation Plus).

Pre-sales of the SEAT Tarraco will start this November nationwide and will be hitting Irish roads during the 191 sales peak.

DRIVE 29

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Extensive range of new and used cars in stock check it out at www.dmgmotors.ie or call 074 9721396

SEAT ATECA 1.6 TDI SE

€29,500

SEAT LEON 2.0 TDI

€18,900

SEAT IBIZA 1.0 75BHP

€17,500

SEAT ATECA 2.0 TDI

€30,900

REG

MAKE

MODEL

2018 SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SEAT SEAT SEAT SEAT MITSUBISHI

RAPID 1.4TDI AMBITION OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 115BHP STYLE OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 115BHP STYLE DSG OCTAVIA 2.0TDI 184BHP RS SUPERB 2.0TDI 190BHP DSG SPORTLINE IBIZA 1.0 75BHP SE IBIZA 1.0 75BHP SE LEON 1.6TDI SE ATECA 1.6TDI SE ECLIPSECROSS1.5INTENSEAUTO

BEIGE SILVER BLUE BLUE SILVER WHITE BLACK BLUE BEIGE BRONZE

12000 15000 4500 9000 12000 11000 11000 3500 15000 17000

€ 23,900.00 € 27,900.00 € 29,900.00 € 34,900.00 SOLD € 42,900.00 € 17,500.00 € 17,500.00 €22,900.00 €29,500.00 €31,900.00

2017 SKODA SUPERB 2.0TDI 150BHP SPORTLINE SKODA SUPERB 2.0TDI 150BHP AMBITION SKODA OCTAVIA COMBI 1.6TDI 115BHP STYLE SKODA YETI 2.0TDI 150BHP 4x4 OUTDOOR SEAT ATECA 2.0TDI 150BHP XC SEAT ATECA 1.6TDI SE SEAT ATECA 1.6TDI SE SEAT LEON PA 1.6TDI 115BHP SE SELECT DSG SEAT ALHAMBRA 2.0TDI 115BHP S SEAT IBIZA 1.0 75BHP SE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.0TDI 110BHP COMFORTLINE

RED BLUE BLACK GREY BEIGE BROWN SILVER SILVER GREY WHITE BLACK

54000 30000 38000 20000 18000 14000 30000 23000 15000 14000 45000

€31,900.00 €26,900.00 € 25,500.00 €27,900.00 SOLD € 30,900.00 €25,900.00 €25,900.00 SOLD €23,900.00 € 36,900.00 SOLD € 15,900.00 €21,500.00

2016 SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SEAT SEAT SEAT SEAT MITSUBISHI MITSUBISHI KIA BMW

SUPERB COMBI 1.6TDI 120BHP AMBITION SUPERB 1.6TDI 120BHP AMBITION DSG SUPERB 1.6TDI 120BHP AMBITION OCTAVIA 2.0TDI 150BHP STYLE OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 110BHP STYLE DSG OCTAVIA COMBI 1.6TDI 110BHP STYLE OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 110BHP AMBITION OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 110BHP AMBITION RAPID 1.4TDI 90BHP AMBITION RAPID 1.4TDI 90BHP ACTIVE RAPID 1.2TSI SPORT YETI 2.0TDI 110BHP OUTDOOR YETI 2.0TDI 110BHP AMBITION TOLEDO 1.4TDI SE LEON 2.0TDI 150BHP FR LEON 2.0TDI 150BHP FR IBIZA 1.0 75BHP SPORT ASX 1.6 DID INSTYLE ASX 1.6 INSTYLE+ CARENS 1.7 CRDI EX X5 3.0d M SPORT

BROWN GREY GREY BEIGE WHITE RED BLUE BEIGE WHITE BLACK BLUE GREY RED BLUE GREY RED WHITE BROWN BLACK WHITE SILVER

17000 45000 81000 46000 41000 67500 28000 43000 65000 42000 47000 35000 53000 20000 61000 49000 50000 45000 35000 27000

€27,400.00 €25,900.00 € 22,900.00 €20,900.00 €20,500.00 SOLD €20,900.00 €7,900.00 SOLD €17,900.00 €15,900.00 €15,900.00 €17,900.00 SOLD € 19,900.00 €18,900.00 €17,500.00 SOLD €19,900.00 €19,900.00 €13,500.00 SOLD €21,900.00 €19,900.00 €22,900.00 € 59,500.00 SOLD

2015 SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SEAT SEAT SEAT

SUPERB 1.6TDI 120BHP STYLE SUPERB COMBI 2.0TDI 140BHP ELEGANCE SUPERB 1.6TDI 120BHP AMBITION SUPERB 1.6TDI 105BHP AMBITION OCTAVIA 2.0TDI 150BHP ELEGANCE OCTAVIA 2.0TDI 150BHP ELEGANCE OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP ELEGANCE OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP ELEGANCE OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP ELEGANCE OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 90BHP AMBITION OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP AMBITION OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP AMBITION OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP AMBITION OCTAVIA 1.2TSI 105BHP AMBITION OCTAVIA 1.2TSI AMBITION OCTAVIA 1.2TSI 105BHP AMBITION RAPID 1.6TDI 90BHP AMBITION RAPID 1.6TDI 90BHP AMBITION RAPID 1.6TDI 90BHP ACTIVE RAPID 1.2 ACTIVE YETI 2.0TDI 110BHP ELEGANCE YETI SHERPA 2.0TDI 110BHP 4x4 OUTDOOR ROOMSTER 1.2TSI 105BHP AMBITION DSG FABIA 1.0 60BHP AMBITION FABIA 1.4TDI 90BHP AMBITION ALTEA XL 1.6TDI SE i-TECH TOLEDO 1.6TDI SE iTech LEON ST 1.6TDI SE

SILVER BROWN GREY WHITE RED BLACK GREY RED SILVER BROWN BLACK BEIGE BROWN BEIGE GREY SILVER BLACK SILVER BEIGE BLUE WHITE GREY BLUE BLACK BLUE BLUE SILVER GREY

85000 70000 72000 92000 79000 82000 105000 85000 83000 90000 126000 102000 55000 53000 41000 49000 63000 96000 65000 69000 72000 67000 65000 41000 95000 40000 45000 84000

€ 22,500.00 €22,900.00 €19,900.00 €19,900.00 € 17,900.00 € 17,900.00 SOLD €15,900.00 €16,500.00 €16,500.00 €14,900.00 €14,900.00 € 14,900.00 €15,500.00 € 14,900.00 SOLD €14,900.00 €14,900.00 €13,900.00 €13,500.00 €12,500.00 €12,000.00 €17,900.00 €18,000.00 €12,900.00 €11,500.00 € 13,500.00 €15,400.0 € 13,900.00 € 15,900.00 SOLD

Clar Road, Donegal Town Tel: 074 97 21396 | www.dmgmotors.ie

COLOUR KMS

SALE PRICE

REG

MAKE

MODEL

COLOUR KMS

SEAT SEAT

LEON ST 1.6TDI SE LEON 2.0TDI 150BHP FR

BLACK GREY

2015 SEAT SEAT SEAT SEAT SEAT SEAT SEAT SEAT SEAT SEAT

LEON ST 1.6TDI SE LEON 2.0TDI 150BHP FR LEON 1.6TDI SE LEON 1.6TDI SE LEON 1.6TDI SE LEON 1.6TDI SE IBIZA 1.2 SE IBIZA 1.2 SE IBIZA 1.2 SE IBIZA 1.2TDI SE

BLACK GREY BLACK GREY BLACK RED BLACK WHITE GREY GREY

104000 92000

SALE PRICE €14,900.00

THE NEW SEAT LEO €16,500.00 SOLD

THE NE 104000 92000 47000 65000 78000 103000 76000 37000 52000 118000

€14,900.00

€16,500.00 SOLD

€15,900.00 From only ¤219€14,900.00 per month €14,900.00 €14,900.00 € 9,900.00 €10,500.00 SOLD €10,500.00 € 9,900.00

From only

2014 SKODA SUPERB COMBI 2.0TDI 140BHP ELE 4x4 BROWN 88000 € 22,900.00 SKODA SUPERB 2.0TDI 140BHP ELEGANCE WHITE 92000 €18,500.00 SKODA OCTAVIA 2.0TDI 184BHP RS BLUE 76000 €19,900.00 SKODA OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP AMBITION DSG BLUE 88000 € 15,900.00 SKODA OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP ELEGANCE BLACK 91000 € 14,900.00 SKODA OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP ELEGANCE BLACK 98000 €14,900.00 SKODA OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP AMBITION SILVER 102000 €14,500.00 SKODA OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP AMBITION GREY 127000 € 13,900.00 SKODA OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP AMBITION BROWN 120000 € 14,500.00 SKODA RAPID 1.6TDI AMBITION SILVER 82000 € 13,900.00 SKODA YETI 2.0TDI 110BHP OUTDOOR WHITE 48000 € 15,900.00 SKODA FABIA 1.2 AMBITION BLUE 121000 € 9,900.00 SEAT ALHAMBRA 2.0TDI 140BHP SE BLACK 93000 € 23,900.00 SOLD SEAT TOLEDO 1.6TDI SE SILVER 71000 €11,900.00 SEAT IBIZA ST 1.6TDI 105BHP FR GREY 81000 €12,500.00 SEAT IBIZA 1.2TSI 105BHP FR *LED LIGHTS* WHITE 63000 €11,900.00 SEAT IBIZA SC 1.2TSI 105BHP FR BLUE 82000 € 11,500.00 SEAT ALTEA XL 1.6TDI SE iTech BLACK 71000 €12,900.00 KIA CEE’D 1.6 CRDI EX AUTO BLACK 69000 €14,900.00 KIA SPORTAGE 1.7 CRDI EX on the New SEAT Leon ORANGE 102000 15,900.00 Let your eyes linger – the car that has€ taken design, technology, comfort and saf VOLKSWAGENspectacular CARAVELLE 2.0new TDI 140BHP BEIGE 137000 € 43,500.00 level. DSG SE VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN 2.0TDI 110BHP SPORT GREY 61000 € 17,500.00 SOLD 2013 SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SKODA SEAT SEAT SEAT 2012 SKODA SKODA SKODA SEAT SEAT SEAT SEAT SEAT NISSAN

From stunning exterior design to quality interior finishes, the New SEAT Leon not only looks good, it fee too. Boasting generous cabin space, it comes with Air Conditioning & Bluetooth as standard and feature media system with 5” colour touchscreen for all your travel and entertainment needs. Available with a r SUPERB 2.0TDIand 170BHP DSG petrolWHITE 165000 fuel efficient lowELEGANCE emissions and diesel engines,€15,900.00 the new SEAT Leon is a remarkably afforda available as little as ¤219 per month.

NEW SEAT LEON. TECHNOLOGY TO ENJOY. SUPERB 1.6from TDI 105BHP AMBITION BLACK THE202000 €12,900.00

OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP ELEGANCE RED 119000 €14,500.00 3 years warranty / 3 years roadside assistance OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP ELEGANCE WHITE 77000 €14,900.00 WHY NOT CALL TAKE A TEST DRIVE OCTAVIA COMBI 1.6IN TDIAND 4X4 ELEGANCE GREEN TODAY? 110000 €16,000.00 YETI 2.0Finance TDI 110BHP URBAN BEIGE OTRP82000 €14,500.00 Typical example: SEAT Leon 1.2 TSI Reference ¤19,595 (¤18,995 + ¤600 dealer & delivery related charges). Depo Optional Final ¤21,148.61 €11,500.00 including acceptance fee and completion fee (¤75 ea RAPID 1.6 TDIPayment AMBITION¤7,218.10. Total hire purchase BLUE price 134000 offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. SEAT Finance is a trading style of Volkswagen Bank GmbH Branch Ireland, autho RAPID 1.6 TDI AMBITION GREY 126000 €10,900.00 and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for conduct of business rules. Model shown is for illustrative purposes only. Official 3.8-6.0l/100km LEON 1.6TDI SEand C0 emissions are 99-139g/km.

WHITE 108000 €12,500.00 LEON 1.6TDI S (NEW MODEL) GREY 69000 €12,500.00 LEON 1.6TDI S (NEW MODEL) SILVER 115000 €11,500.00 2

NAME

Address SUPERB 1.6TDI 105BHP ACTIVE Telephone FaxS Email OCTAVIA 1.6TDI 105BHP Website YETI 2.0TDI 110BHP EXPERIENCE

ALHAMBRA 2.0TDI 115BHP EXCLUSIVE ALTEA XL 1.6TDI SE LEON 1.6TDI SE COPA IBIZA 1.2 SE IBIZA ST 1.2TDI SE QASHQAI 1.6 XE 4x4

COMMERCIALS 2016 PAJERO LWB 3.2DI-D 5 SEAT COMM EXEC 2014 PAJERO LWB 3.2DI-D 5 SEAT COMMERCIAL 2012 1.6 HDI 625 LX 3 SEATER 2013 ASX 1.8 DID COMMERCIAL

BLUE BLACK SILVER SILVER RED GREY RED RED RED

173000 123000 100000 166000 140000 112000 26000 72000 181000

SILVER GREY WHITE BLUE

109000 140000 103000

SOLD € 8,900.00 € 9,900.00 €11,900.00 €17,900.00 €9,500.00 €9,900.00 €8,500.00 SOLD €7,900.00 €11,900.00 €¨36195 +VAT €21900 +VAT € 8,500.00 €13000 inc vat

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30 DRIVE

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Up to €3,000 Scrappage offered on used vehicles

Christmas has come early at Highland Motors

Highland Motors are delighted to announce that they are now running their annual pre-Christmas Sale Bonanza offering customers exceptional and unbeatable value on all their used cars.

Customers can get up to €3000 scrappage when they trade in their own vehicle for a used vehicle from Highland Motors when they pur-

chase before October 31.

There are over 100 vehicles to choose from with registrations ranging from 2011-182.

Highland Motors have a great selection of used vehicles, both passenger and commercial, and will have a vehicle to suit everyone’s needs and more importantly, their pockets.

Customers can also avail of exceptional finance offers from 2% APR on all used 181 & 182 vehicles.

All vehicles sold come with warranty, are fully serviced, valeted and have been history checked.

Customers can buy from Highland Motors with complete confidence that they are getting a quality, value used vehicle with 1st Class After-

sales attention.

Highland Motors have over 40 years’ experience and have won numerous National Awards for their attention, dedication and service they provide to their customers.

Highland Motors are also a SIMI member.

So don’t delay, pop up today to see our fantastic showrooms at the

Mountain Top and treat yourself to a great deal when you buy your new used vehicle with total confidence from the team at Highland Motors before October 31.

For further details on this sensational offer call us today on 074 91 28777 and ask to speak to one of our dedicated Sales Executives or logon to www.highlandmotors.ie.

All-New Dacia Duster Rugged, robust and better looking

View the All-New Dacia Duster at Letterkenny Shopping Centre from the 25th - 31st October

From €149 per month

Highland Motors Mountain Top, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal Tel 074 9128777 www.dacia.highlandmotors.ie Model shown is: All-New Dacia Duster Prestige Sce 115, RRP €21,290 (excluding Metallic paint RRP €520). Finance example Duster Essential SCe 115. RRP €17,390. Deposit €5,665. Term 36 monthly payments €149. APR 4.9%. Total cost of credit €1,406 inc doc & completion fee €75 each. Optional final payment €7,617.Excess mileage plus excess wear and tear charges may apply upon return of Vehicle. Offer is made under a hire purchase agreement. Subject to lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply. See Dacia.ie [Warning: You will not own these goods until the final payment is made].

DRIVE 31

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

CONNOLLY'S AUDI SLIGO GEARING UP FOR EXCITING NEW YEAR

After a hugely successful Test Drive Event in Letterkenny, Connolly’s Audi Sligo is gearing up for an exciting new year for 191.

With the release of several models both new and existing the 2019 Audi range promises to be one that won’t disappoint.

The second-generation Audi Q3 ar-

riving in showrooms in late November boasts unparalleled style, versatility and space for enhanced comfort.

The all new Audi Q8 which is the newest edition to the Audi range combines the best of both worlds: the elegance of a four-door luxury coupe with the practical versatility of a large SUV.

The Audi Q8 is a confident companion for both business and leisure featuring S Line as standard is now available in our showrooms for test drives.

Next the Audi A1 second generation due in Showroom in December offers cutting edge infotainment systems, new driver assistance systems for

more safety and comfort.

Lastly but certainly not least the most anticipated model release of the year – the Audi A6 is now sporty and elegant in design.

Featuring the latest technologies such as HD Matrix LED headlights providing optimum road lighting, 400 customisable functions and 4 choices

of suspension.

The eight generation A6 is creating innovations with vision, enhancing comfort, and setting new standards in the luxury class.

To learn more about any of the cars above or to arrange a test drive call out sales in on 071 9115333 or visit: Connollys.ie.

Time well spent.

The new Audi A6.

Audi Sligo Carraroe, Sligo Tel: 071 911 5333, www.audisligo.ie A6 range fuel consumption l/ 100km: combined 5.8-4.3 CO2 emissions g/km 150-117. For pricing details contact your local authorised Audi dealer. Images shown for illustrative purposes only. Visit Audi.ie.

Audi New A6 Audi Sligo - 160mm h x 265mm w.indd 1

22/10/2018 12:13

32 DRIVE

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

33

34 PICTURE SPECIAL LOCAL

EVENTS

Finn Valley College, Stranorlar

Judges with ETB Directror fo FET Crona Gallagher.

1st Place - St Catherine's VS.

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

St Catherine’s Vocational School wins Donegal ETB’s 2018 Enterprise Day

Errigal College, Letterkenny.

St Catherine’s Vocational School who are this year’s winners of Donegal ETB’s 2018 Enterprise Day for schools and Youthreach centres.

Second place went to St Eunan’s College, while the Abbey Vocational School came third.

The event took place in LYIT. 240 young people from post-primary schools and Youthreach centres across the county participated in the event which involved each team developing a product on which they were judged in a Dragon’s Den-type set up.

Teams were given a business mentor and an LYIT business studies student to guide them throughout the day.

Buncrana entrepreneur Nicola McLaughlin, otherwise known as the Sequin Cinderella spoke to participants in the morning about her entrepreneurship journey.

Nicola started out as a fashion blogger, became a fashion

designer and then opened a boutique in 2016.

With a combined social media following of over 50,000 followers, Nicola had a wealth of experience to share with the students.

After teams pitched their ideas to the judges, the final three teams then pitched to all participants.

The judges found it very difficult to pick an outright winner due to the high standard of work presented to them.

St Catherine’s Vocational School came up with an innovative product called ‘Snip and Snack’, with a unique all in one design that allows cinema goers for example, to hold food and drink in the one container.

The team was supported by mentor Jimmy Stafford of Bank of Ireland.

Speaking about the Enterprise Day, Donegal ETB Director of Schools Dr Martin Gormley commented: “We’re really pleased in Donegal ETB to have hosted this wonder-

PICTURE SPECIAL 35

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

St Catherine’s Vocational School wins Donegal ETB’s 2018 Enterprise Day

LOCAL

EVENTS

Donegal ETB Enterprise Day 2018 Judges Busy Deliberating.

3rd Place Abbey VS.

ful event for the fifth year. It was fantastic to see so many schools and Youthreach centres joining us.

“The students found the day enjoyable and hopefully it will help to inspire some innovation and creativity among them. We are indebted to Letterkenny Institute of Technology for the use of their facilities and their students for helping as mentors.

“The keynote address from Nicola also resonated with the student body and all the em-

ployers contributed so well as business mentors. The young students present entered into the spirit of the day and all the teachers involved were very proud of their contribution.”

The participating schools and Youthreach centres were the Abbey Vocational School, Donegal Town; Crana College, Buncrana; Deele College, Raphoe;Errigal College, Letterkenny; Finn Valley College, Stranorlar; Moville Community College; Gairm-

2nd Place St Eunans College, Letterkenny.

scoil Chu Uladh, Ballinamore; Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Arranmore; Loreto Community School Milford; Loreto Convent, Letterkenny; Mulroy College, Milford; St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny; St Catherine’s Vocational School, Killybegs; St Columba’s College, Stranorlar; Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana, Youthreach Buncrana/ Glengad and Youthreach Gortahork.

Donegal ETB and the organising committee would like to extend a huge thank you to all

students, learners, teachers, Gartan OETC staff, Lee Gooch (MC) and LYIT for participating in, assisting with and supporting the day.

This is the fifth year of this event which saw an increase on the number of entries from 2017.

Further information and photos of the day can be found on Donegal ETB’s website: (www. donegaletb.ie).

Facebook page and Twitter account (@DonegalETB) through #ETBEnterprise18.

Nicola McLaughlin - Sequin Cinderella.

36 PICTURE SPECIAL LOCAL

EVENTS

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

St Catherine’s Vocational School wins Donegal ETB’s 2018 Enterprise Day

Donegal ETB Enterprise Day Organising Committee.

Mulroy College Team 1.

Deele College, Raphoe.

Loreto College, Letterkenny.

PICTURE SPECIAL 37

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

St Catherine’s Vocational School wins Donegal ETB’s 2018 Enterprise Day

LOCAL

EVENTS

Mulroy College Team 2.

LEFT: Loreto Community School, Milford.

RIGHT: St Columbas College, Stranorlar.

St Eunan's College, Letterkenny.

38 HOROSCOPES/CROSSWORD

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

TEABREAK TEASERS

Weekly Horoscopes Aries

(March 21-April 19) For the next four weeks, your focus will be on insurance matters, taxes, debt and shared property. Clear up any loose details so that these do not nag you in the future. “I’m free! I’m free!”

Taurus

(April 20-May 20) You will need more sleep in the next four weeks because the Sun, your source of energy, will be as far away from you as it gets all year (in your chart). This solar opposition also offers you a chance to learn more about your style of relating to others.

Gemini

(May 21-June 20) Do whatever you can to get better organized in the next four weeks because you are keen to turn over a new leaf.

Not only do you want to be more efficient and more productive, you want to be healthier as well. Oh yes, you want it all!

And why not?

Cancer

(June 21-July 22) A lovely, playful month ahead awaits you.

Set aside time in the next four weeks for the arts, social outings, romantic dates, playful activities with children, sports events and fun schmoozing. It’s your turn to kick up your heels and play!

Leo

(July 23-Aug. 22) In the next four weeks, your focus will be on home, family and your personal life. An interaction with a parent could be significant. Some of you will want to cocoon at home more than usual because it feels good to be cozy among familiar surroundings.

Virgo

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Fasten your seatbelt because the next four weeks will be fast-paced.

The reason your daily pace will accelerate is because your schedule will be jampacked with short trips, appointments, errands and increased reading, writing and studying. Whew!

WIN

€10

VOUCHER

Sponsored by

Libra

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22) “Show me the money!” In the next four weeks, you are focused on money, cash flow and earnings. You’ll be checking your online banking hourly because you want to be on top of things so you want to know what’s happening. (Why is there always so much month left at the end of the money?)

Letterkenny Name.......................................................

Scorpio

Address...................................................

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21) For the next four weeks, the Sun will be in your sign giving you a chance to recharge your batteries for the rest of the year. It will also attract favourable circumstances to you as well as important people. Make the most of this!

................................................................

................................................................

Tel: ..........................................................

Sagittarius

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Use the next four weeks to do some private planning because your personal year is coming to a close. In a month, it will begin. Meanwhile, you function well with goals. And you know this. That’s because you are future oriented. Set some goals with deadlines.

Capricorn

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) A popular month ahead! The next four weeks will bring opportunities to schmooze with friends as well as enjoy interactions with clubs, groups and associations. It’s also a great time to do goal setting and possibly, share your goals with someone to get their feedback.

Aquarius

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You look great in the eyes of bosses, parents and VIPs right now because the Sun is at the top of your chart shining down on you like a spotlight. And the spotlight is flattering! This lasts for four weeks so use it to your advantage.

Send your entries to: The Editor, Letterkenny Post, 26 Balliniska Road, Springtown Industrial Estate, Derry, N. Ireland BT48 0NA

Across 1. Part of Martin’s epic spread on the bird table? (1,5,3,5) 9. Boxer and dessert thief (3,4) 10. Let on I had returned before five desire to swap sides (7) 11. Hot frontage in cracked safe (7,2,4) 13. Vote for Gypsy? Gent has two points confused - the sucker! (13) 14. A woman with two men begets child who becomes president (6,7) 19. Choose Finnginn’s list - a la carte perhaps?

(9,4) 22. River excavator is shaken (7) 23. A room arranged so lovingly (7) 24. Problem for Hamlet in winter month is four possibly five directors (14) Down 1. A win on eg tombola: every other number is extremely unlikely (7,3,4)

Last weeks solution

Pisces

(Feb. 19-March 20) Do something different in the next four weeks. Travel if you can because you need a change of scenery. You’re excited to expand your world by learning more, and perhaps, have a little adventure!

(You need to get outta Dodge.)

Congratulations to: Olive Long Main Street, Dunkineely

2. Romans let pies be distributed (7) 3. Disease spread at the beach (7) 4. Threw for some tool (5) 5. Cycled over circular Texan festivity (5) 6. Coastline where king visits Finnginn six times (7) 7. Two men - obsolete one sporting a moustache (7) 8. In Norfolk town teacher swallows bone after note reveals those who like to share more fairly (14) 12. Search number of attenders (7) 15. Dull Arabic lady (7) 16. Compel to swallow pill - duty is owed to one (7) 17. One of seven hipster open hideaways (7) 18. No Scotsman starts voting on staying English - too freckly! (7) 20. Blimey soldier - one of the Queen’s? (5) 21. Middle Eastern terrorists on BBC panel show (5)

PICTURE SPECIAL 39

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

GAA - YOUTH CONFERENCE

Donegal's Eoghan "Ban" Gallagher, Paul Fisher Strength and Conditioning Coach, Donegal's Jamie Brennan, Ronan Doherty Performance and Nutrition Coach, Health and Wellbeing PRO Oisin Cannon, Karl Doherty and Robbie Mc Donald.

Guest speaker Jason Black speaking at the Donegal GAA Youth Conference in the Villa Rose Hotel.

Mount Everest conqueror Jason Black the guest speaker

Youth conference promotes positive wellbeing and mental health message The Donegal GAA County Youth Board and the Donegal Health and Wellbeing Committee hosted a youth conference in the Villa Rose on Saturday.

A number of themes were covered including: 1. Balancing the Demands of

Study & Sport 2. Mental health 3. Nutrition & Diet 4. Alcohol & Other Drugs The guest speaker was Jason Black and there was a Question & Answer session at the conclusion with a panel that included Donegal team cap-

Donegal GAA Manager Declan Bonner at the Donegal GAA Youth Conference.

tain Michael Murphy, Donegal manager Declan Bonner and representatives from the Ladies county team.

Meanwhile, the Donegal GAA Health & Wellbeing Committee in association with the Donegal Youth Council has been repeating the 4 Ls message. * Listen, out for our family, friends, neighbours, community and be available to them in a time of need * Look, out for each other, the young, and the elderly those who are vulnerable, those living alone, those who are being bullied and those who might be sad * Laughter, laugh at ourselves, laugh with others, life can be serious but your smile could warm up someone’s day. * Link up, stop talking about it and go and do it. Make that link, connection, phone call, text, e mail, card, or better still a visit from you.

Jason Black, guest speaker, with the Donegal GAA Health and Wellbeing Committee at the Donegal Youth Conference in the Villa Rose Hotel.

Some of those who attended the Donegal GAA Health and Wellbeing "Youth Matters" Conference at the Villa Rose Hotel. PHOTOS: Geraldine Diver.

Jason Black, guest speaker, Glenswilly Chairpersons Eddie Crawford and Shauna Walsh with Cora Harvey at the Donegal GAA Youth Conference.

40 LEARN TO DRAW

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Halloween Sunday BuffeT LuncH Sunday Buffet LunCh Enjoy our exquisite Sunday Buffet Lunch, fancy dress is optional!

Sunday 28th October, 12.30 - 3pm Adults £24 • Children £12 Call 048 7132 1066 or visit hastingshotels.com

FARMING 41

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Letterkennypost YOUR FREE LOCAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER

& THE NORTH WEST

=Xid`e^ NEWS MART RESULTS PHOTOS

McGinley Motors

Pearse Rd., Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

www.landrover.com

Tel: 074 91 25666

Alternatives to straw bedding - Teagasc Tom Fallon

Farm Buildings & Infrastructure Specialist, Teagasc

Jackets for calves may become popular this winter as farmers plan to feed straw and look at providing alternative bedding solutions.

The Teagasc Fodder and Finance budgeting week that commenced recently focus on the challenges farmers face this winter.

There are viable alternatives to the use of straw as bedding.

Teagasc recommends, however, that calves under eight weeks of age get priority for any straw that is available since straw traps faeces and urine so pens can be readily cleaned out and disinfected.

Other bedding materials may not provide adequate warmth for young calves.

Bedding materials include woodchip, wood shavings, sawdust and rushes.

There is scope to use woodchip for indoor bedding although there is little

experience of this in Ireland.

Farmers have successfully used these materials in combination with straw and they have also mixed woodchip with peat to extend the bedding interval.

Peat should only be used as a short term solution where there is no viable alternative.

The recommendation with woodchip is to initially put a 10 cm layer in place and then to top up as required which is generally every 7 to 10 days but this is very dependent on the diet.

Woodchip, in general is very suitable as bedding, animals stay clean and there is little dust.

A 100m3 load weighing approximately 20 to 25 tonne will cost approximately €1,230 delivered including VAT. Suppliers of woodchip include Macroom Haulage 087-4125010 and Fergal Moran Mountrath 087-6490853.

Rearing calves on plastic or hardwood slats while keeping young calves warm by using calf jackets maybe a vi-

able option for some farmers.

A calf jacket will cost about €30 which is reasonable considering it takes one round bale of straw to rear a calf.

Each jacket could rear about 3 calves per year. It is necessary to separate the calf from it’s faeces and urine so slats are the preferred complimentary housing option.

Research would indicate no sci-

entific benefit to using calf jackets although farmer feedback would suggest ‘a nice shine’ after removal of the jackets on calves for sale. Calf jackets need to be washable.

With slats it is important that the fall in the floor is adequate to drain away urine to avoid problems with ammonia gas.

Good ventilation and regular cleaning are critical with this system.

Calves reared on slats are also more prone to draughts.

There are many Irish companies making plastic slats including JFC, Durapak, and Easyfix. They are not cheap but they will last for many years.

Timber slats made from hardwood may also be constructed (20 to 28 mm gaps and 50 to 63 mm ribs, See Department of Agriculture Specification S124).

Farmers have successfully used rubber mats in calving pens instead of straw.

The ‘Bama’ mat from Mayo Mats has been made specifically for this purpose with a good grip to facilitate the baby calf to stand.

Likewise the ‘Kraiburg’ mat is available from Condon Engineering.

A high standard of management is needed for all alternatives to straw bedding.

No endorsement of the above products or product suppliers is intended nor is any criticism implied of person(s) or companies or their products that are not mentioned.

Suffolk and Texel Show Sale and Sale PHOTOS: Clive Wasson

A good night for the Tait's as William, Emily and Robert Tait take the top prizes with the Reserve Champion and Show Champion Prizes.

Gerard Shields holding Dwane Shields ram, the Reserve Champion.

No back-sliding on the backstop & no time limit – IFA IFA President Joe Healy said it is no exaggeration to say the Brexit talks are the most important negotiations for the future of Irish agriculture and our agri-food sector, since Ireland joined the EEC in 1973.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney addressed today’s meeting on the latest developments on Brexit. Joe Healy said there can be no backsliding on the backstop and no time limit.

IFA is very clear that Irish farmers’ interests lie in maintaining full access and frictionless trade both North/South and East/West

between Ireland and Britain, while retaining the full value of the UK market.

The ideal way to achieve this, would be for the UK to remain within the Single Market and the Customs Union, but their Government is taking a different approach.

Future EU-UK relationship

Joe Healy said the UK’s stated intention of leaving the Single Market and the Customs Union and pursuing an independent trade policy including agri-food, makes it impossible to retain the kind of frictionless trade we have today.

“This would open the door to Britain directly competing with the EU in future trade deals, undercutting EU import tariffs and granting additional import quotas, for example to the US, Mercosur, Australia, New Zealand, Canada etc. That would be totally unacceptable.

In the same way, the UK’s proposal for a so-called ‘common rulebook’ only covers border checks and falls far short of full regulatory alignment with EU standards.”

IFA’s concern is that the UK is aiming to avoid compliance with EU regulations and standards on marketing, labelling, GMOs, pesticides, geographic indications, food

fraud and other CAP requirements in ways that would give their producers clear competitive advantages over EU producers. That is also unacceptable.

Support for farmers

IFA has set out the need to prepare for all possible scenarios in the Brexit negotiations. We will require Government and EU support measures, depending on developments.

This includes direct income aid to farmers in the event of further Sterling devaluation - any fall in Sterling beyond 90p would be disastrous for producers.

Depending on the outcome of the negotiations, a special purpose fund will be required to offset the negative impacts from Brexit.

The fi nancial commitment must be scalable and suffi cient to deal with any eventuality, from a ‘soft’ Brexit up to a ‘no deal’ scenario.

This would provide scope for direct producer sectoral and targeted supports, basic payment top-ups and emergency market supports, as may be necessary.

Farmers may also require structural and adjustment support measures to cope with the additional costs and long-term devaluation of returns from the UK market.

42 PETS

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Pet’s Corner

Doggy Do's & Don'ts International

by Kathleen Murray. Tel: 0863192247

Bow-wow’s Know How Brought to you by www.BwamPets.com

What dogs need in October/November time Dogs have needs just like we have needs and a happy dog is a dog that has their needs met.

What do dogs need, especially in October and November? Most dogs will moult (lose hair) at this time of year so brushing your dog, or having them groomed professionally, is a good start to the darker seasons.

Staying on top of the hair loss is important as we spend more time indoors at this time of year.

Dogs are preparing for the winter at this point so their winter coat will grow when the shedding is done.

For dogs who live indoors their coat will not be as thick as they lose a little bit of hair all year round.

They don’t need all that hair indoors in a heated environment so be careful when taking them out because they may need a coat if it’s nippy out there.

Dogs also need a high visibility vest/coat, collar or lead. They need to be seen when walking along the road for everyone else’s safety as well as their own. They also still need to be walked for exercise.

There is nothing more frustrating or mentally unhealthy for a dog than to be closed in the same environment all day every day with no outings for fresh air, mental stimulation and exercise.

If there’s a snowfall or frost on the roads and the gritters are out, be careful.

Anti-freeze and grit that has been spread or spilled is deadly for dogs.

If they’ve walked on it then wash their feet as soon as they get home again before they lick their paws to clean them.

Dip their paws into a small basin of cool (not cold) water (tiny squirt of any shampoo is optional) and then rinse them off. Keep a hand towel handy for your dog for this purpose.

So now that you’ve outfitted and secured your dog for the fast approaching colder, darker weather, it’s time to give some thought to your own wardrobe to make sure that you are also warm and dry when walking.

Have fun in the fresh air. It’s good for you and your dog.

Spay or neuter your pet - Part 2 Spaying or neutering your dog or cat is an important part of responsible pet ownership.

It not only helps keep your pet safe from a number of medical issues, but it also helps reduce overpopulation.

Animal shelters are crowded with unwanted pets that, in many cases, are the result of accidental or poorly planned breeding. The majority of these unwanted pets are never adopted.

By spaying or neutering your pet, you are helping to prevent this problem.

There are many myths surrounding spaying or neutering. The following commonly asked questions are some examples.

Shouldn’t I let my pet have her first season before I spay her? No. Female dogs can be spayed from around five months of age and there’s no benefit to waiting until they’ve had their first season.

Some of the health benefits of spaying are actually reduced if you wait until your dog has had a season.

It is often in the first season that bitches get “caught” and become pregnant as their owners did not realise they were in season.

Shouldn’t I let my pet have a litter before I spay her? No. Absolutely not.

All the medical evidence suggests a dog should be spayed before her first season. And the problem with letting your pet have a litter is you’ve just instantly contributed to the overpopulation problem.

The only responsible thing to do is to not allow your pets to reproduce.

Will my pet become overweight and lazy after being spayed or neutered? No. It is true that neutering can lead to changes in metabolism and generally speaking a pets metabolism may slow down after the operation.

However, your pet will not become overweight if you feed the correct amount of food and provide it with enough daily exercise.

Will my pet's personality change after being spayed or neutered? No. Neutering or spaying will not change your pet's character. Neutering encourages calmer,

more predictable behaviour, making a more suitable family pet.

It can also help reduce aggressive and unwanted sexual behaviour thus preventing fighting, mounting and being destructive.

Pets that have been neutered are also less likely to scent/urine mark their territory or stray from home.

Sometimes people are reluctant to get their pets neute red or spayed as they feel they would like their children to witness the experience of a pet giving birth. However, pets often give birth during the middle of the night or in a place of their own choice.

Because pets need privacy when giving birth, any unnecessary intrusion can cause the mother to become seriously upset.

These intrusions can result in an unwillingness to care for the offspring or injury to the owner or to the pet itself.

Another reason people may avoid neutering or spaying may be that they would like to breed another pet just like the one they already have.

However, breeding two purebred animals rarely results in offspring that are exactly like one of the parents.

With mixed breeds, it is virtually impossible to have offspring that are exactly like one of the parents.

Some people may be concerned about the dangers of their pet undergoing anaesthesia.

Although there is always a slight risk involved, the anaesthetics currently used by veterinary surgeons are very safe.

Thus, the medical benefits of having your pet spayed or neutered far out weigh the slight risk involved with undergoing anaesthesia.

If you are considering having your pet neutered or spayed, the best source of information for your questions is your veterinarian.

They can help inform you about your pets specific needs regarding the surgery so dont be afraid to consult your vet if you are concerned about any aspect of the procedure.

Compiled by Bow-wows & Meows. For further information on Dog Walking or other Pet Care Services, please call us on 086 156 3347 or visit our website at www.BwamPets.com or find Bow-wows & Meows on Facebook.

We are

digital!

Visit www.donegalnow.com for more available on

Letterkennypost SPORT Thursday 25 October 2018

www.letterkennypost.com

ATHLETICS

39th staging of event to attract 20,000 entrants

Over 300 Donegal runners for Dublin Marathon

Live Streaming

The SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon will be live via the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon YouTu streamed be will be able to watch every moment of the act Page. Fans 8:30am-4:30pm. The commentary team for ion live from the day will also be made up of some we ll-k Irish Athletics including nown names from the world of Ian O’R ior dan, Frank Greally, Su Walsh, Fintan Reilly, Lia san Kelly so make sure you m Moggan, David Carrie and Feidhlim tun e int o all the act ion via http://bit. ly/2yERGfX Live Tracker: Runners tracker link https://tra TDL-DUBLINM-2018 ck.rtrt.me/e/

A view of the 20,000 runners who took to the Fitzwilliam Square start line to participate in the 2017 SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon, making it the fifth largest marathon in Europe. Similar numbers will take part this year. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Chris Ashmore chris@letterkennypost.com

Donegal will be well represented at this Sunday’s Dublin City Marathon with a total of 303 entrants from the county confirmed, the Post can reveal.

This is the 39th staging of the popular event which will

see around 20,000 people taking to the start for the testing 26 mile, 385 yard (42.195 kilometre) run around the city.

This year marks a celebration of female runners with Constance Markievicz appearing on the finishers medal. The number of female participants has grown from 70 in 1980 to 7,000 this year – that’s over a third of the total.

Celebrating female runners This year is a celebration of female runners, linking with the nationwide commemoration of Vótáil 100. Constance Markievicz, a key campaigner for Irish women’s voting rights, will appear on the finishers medal.

The Dublin Marathon has over the years, attracted women of all ages and fitness levels from around Ireland and across the globe.

In 1980 the first year of the event, there were only 70 female runners entered, in 2018 it has increased to 7,000.

Sixty-six-year-old Mary Hickey, the only women to have competed in 38 Dublin Marathons and was one of the women who took part in the first event in 1980, said: “I really feel I’m blessed. It’s not everyone that can run a race 39 years in-a-row. Life hits you in so many ways so to get to the start-line every year, I’m amazed and surprised by that really and regard myself as very lucky”.

The strong Donegal contingent will feature runners from athletic and running clubs from throughout the county, including participants from Letterkenny AC, Finn Valley AC, Lifford AC, Milford AC, Rosses AC, Letterkenny 24/7 Triathlon Club, Run for Fun Letterkenny, and running clubs in Convoy and Castlefin.

Many international elite distance athletes are set to compete against Ireland’s top athletes.

The race will also serve as the Athletics Ireland’s National Championships with Olympians Lizzie Lee, Letterkenny’s Caitriona Jennings, Mick Clohisey and current national champion Gary O’Hanlon set to line-up.

For the elite runners there is a potential prize pot of €120,000 up for grabs.

In the elite women’s field Remalda Kergyte of Lithuania, with a personal best of 2.35.13, will be one of the key contenders. Others include winner of this year’s Belfast Marathon (2.41.17) and Edinburgh Marathon, Caroline Jepchirchir of Kenya. Motu Gedefa of Ethiopia who finished third in the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon in 2016 (2.36.25) will be joined by fellow country woman Me-

DID YOU KNOW SSE AIRTRICITY DUBLIN MARATHON

• • • A sea of people... Over 300 Donegal runners will be in the field of 20,000 at Sunday's SSE Airtricity Dublin City Marathon.

sera Dubiso. In the Men’s field, last year’s winner (2:15:53) Benard Rotich of Kenya is set to toe the line. Fellow countrymen Vincent Tonui, Eric Koech and Joel Kiptoo are all likely to

Flashback to last year....

Letterkenny's Caitriona Jennings was second in the National Championships at the Dublin Marathon.

be top 10 finishers.

This year’s race also incorporates the European Police Championships.

In the Wheelchair race, fourtime champion Patrick Monahan will have to contend with a strong international field.

For many others taking part, this will be their first marathon and the achievement will be crossing the line.

Race Director Jim Aughney said: “We are delighted to again have a sold-out entry of 20,000. The marathon has grown 10-fold from just over 2,000 runners in 1980 to 20,000 this year.

Leanne Sheill, Sponsorship Manager at SSE Airtricity, said: “It’s great to see the fantastic growth of the Dublin Marathon and Race Series over the last number of years making it one of the largest marathons in Europe.”

•

• • •

•

•

2018 is the 39th Dublin Marathon.

Founded in 1980 with 2,100 runners.

Record number of participants every year since 2009 with a record number of 20,000 entries in 2017 & 2018.

Dublin Marathon is now the largest marathon in Ireland and the 5th largest in Europe.

Known as the ‘Friendly Marathon’, Dublin Hosts the Athletics Ireland National Championships.

Voted ‘Best International Marathon’ in 2014, 2nd in 2015 & 2016, ‘Best Mass Participation Event’ at the Sport Industry Awards 2016 The Dublin Marathon Expo which takes place in the RDS on the Friday & Saturday before the Marathon attracts 25,000 visitors on an annual basis.

44 SPORT LOCAL

EVENTS

Photos: Darren Crossan

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

Letterkenny AC Juvenile Awards Night

LAC Team of the year Sean McGinley, Billy Black, Oran Kelly, Jack Holian and Evan Keown (missing from photo are Liam Hannigan and Ryan Canning) along with their coach Tommy Naughton

Oisin Farren, Oran Kelly, David Smith and Mollie Page making a presentation on behalf of the LAC Juvenile's to Danny McDaid for his recognition of his induction into the Hall of Fame

Letterkenny AC Juveniles held a very successful Awards night for 2017- season.

The club was well represented by athletes, parents, senior members and special guests.

The club were honored to have Jason Black and his wife Sharon present and also Mrs Margaret Cullen. MC on the night was Boyd Robinson.

Guest speaker Jason Black spoke about his experience at K2 and presented a video and a slide show of his adventure.

He give the athletes some inspirational words and guidance about sports and life in

Young athletes enjoying the LAC Juvenile Awards night at Arena7

Track and Field Athletes of the Year, David Smith, Chloe Shiels, Elvis Okoh and Evan Keown. Presenting the awards are guest speaker Jason Black and coaches Tommy Naughton and Denis Shiels

general.

Jason has two children involved with the club and is a vivid supporter at most running events.

There were many worthy awards presented on the night to our athletes in all the many categories and also to Danny McDaid who was presented with a gift from some of senior juveniles in recognition of his Hall of Fame Induction and Guidance to the juveniles.

Margaret Cullen, presented the Neil Cullen Pertual Trophy to an outstanding athlete Jack Holian.

Grett McGee and Jason Black presenting the LAC Spirit of the Club award to Katie McGee

Under 10 Athlete's of the year Ciara Daly, Anya Duffy, Darragh Naughton and Bradley Ryan along with their coach Denis Shiels.

SPORT 45

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

LOCAL

EVENTS

Photos: Darren Crossan

Letterkenny AC Juvenile Awards Night

Margaret Cullen presenting the Overall Athlete of the Year -Neil Cullen Perpetual Trophy to Jack Holian with family membrs Amanda and Emma Holian along with guest speaker Jason Black. Jack also received the Performance of the Year award.

Emma Bonar receiving the U13 Athlete of the year award from her coach Greta McGee along with Danny McDaid and Jason Black

Team of the year at the LAC Juvenile awards night at Arena 7 were: Philip McGee, Charlie Robinson, Mark Galvin, Noah De Plessis, Eoghan Farren and Alex Plumb (missing from photo is Adam McDaid and Billy McFeely)

Edel and Ava McDermott pictured at the LAC Juvenile awards night at Arena7

Donal Farren receiving the male Cross Country Athlete of the year award from Danny McDaid and Jason Black at the LAC Juvenile awards night at Arena7

Michaela Galvin receiving the Indoor Athlete of the Year award and Sportshall Athlete of the Year award from Jason Black and proud father Michael Galvin

Proud father Stephen Shiels with his daughter Chloe with the Most Improved female Athlete of the year at the LAC juvenile awards night

Elvis Okoh receiving the male Indoor Athlete of the Year and Sportshall Athlete f the Year awards from coach Tommy Naughton and guest speaker Jason Black at the LAC Juvenile awards night at Arena7

Female Cross Country Athlete of the year Mollie Page receiving her award from Danny McDaid and Jason Black

U13 male Athlete of the year are joint winners Harry Shields and Philip McGee at the LAC Juvenile awards night at Arena7

Christopher Murray receiving the Most Imroved Male Athlete of the Year award from Jason Black

46 SPORT

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

ATHLETICS

GAA

Doherty gets onto Irish team There were tremendous performances from the Letterkenny AC runners who travelled to the Autumn Open Cross Country in Abbotstown, Dublin.

The trial race for the selection of the Irish team for the 5 Nations Cross Country International is subsumed within the event. Ciaran Doherty had a tremendous run and completed the 7.5KM course in 24.47.

He was second in the highly competitive M40 category, which has guaranteed him a place in Irish team for the event which will take place in Swansea in November.

Ciaran McGonagle also had a fine run and was 5th in the M40 category in a time of 24.54. There are 6 places on the Irish M40 team, with the first 4 in the race receiving guaranteed places. Although Ciaran is not guaranteed a place, he is in with an excellent chance.

Raymond Birch had a very strong run to come home in 26.17 and a highly creditable 10th place in the ultra competitive M35 age group. Nakita Burke put on a tremendous performance and clocked 21.44 in the 6K race which gave her 17th place in the Senior Women’s race.

Club Charman, Aidan McKenna, had a good run in Saturday’s St Mary’s Primary School 5K in Killyclogher and finished 11th.

Pol Mac Giolla Bhride was the leading LAC runner in Saturday’s Letterkenny parkrun.

The winning numbers in the LAC Lotto draw on 18th October were 5, 11, 16, 18.

There were no Match 4 winners. 4 Match 2 winners won €20 each. They were: Stephen Doherty (An Post), Joe Marley (An Post), Darren Beecroft and Garvan McCloskey.

The St. Eunan's Loch an Iúir team

Loch an Iúir Cup

Big win for St. Eunan’s St. Eunan's College 6-10 (28) St. Mary's CBS, Belfast

2-05

St. Eunan’s chalked up a big win over St. Mary’s CBS, Belfast, were deserved winners.

They played with a strong breeze in the first half but there was little between the sides in the opening

quarter, at the end of which the Letterkenn side led by 1-5 to 1-3 ahead. But St. Eunan’s finished the half strongly to lead 2-7 to 1-3 at half-time.

St Mary’s came out all guns blazing and got the first point of the second half.

But the college boys now stepped up knowing that the winner of the game went through to the knockout

stages with the loser being eliminated.

They kept the belfast boys scoreless for the next 26 minutes and showed a huge commitment to the cause rattling off 4-3 by the 51st minute to see the game out, and they were able to use their substitutes for important game time late on.

St Mary’s got a late 1-1 consola-

SPORTBRIEFS Basketball camps

Look good, feel good for Christmas!

YOU CAN DO IT! NEW Couch to 5K class

Starts Tues 30th October You can also start on Thurs 1st Nov or Mon 5th Nov

Classes held at Letterkenny Community Centre. Registration from 6.20pm.

Only €2 per class. Class starts at 6.30 pm.

Ideal for beginners.

In eight weeks you can do a 5k!

C25KLetterkenny

For more details contact 086 8175194

A basketball camp will be offered to basketball players aged 7 to 18 years old from Letterkenny and surrounding communities at Loreto Convent, Letterkenny, on 29th October (under 8 – under 10 years), 31st October (under 12 – under 14 years) and 2nd November (under 16 – under 18 years) from 10am – 12pm and will cost €10 per person.

This is one of several camps around the country being held in advance of the Basketball Hall of Fame Belfast Classic which will see leading American universities go headto-head from 29th November – 1st December 2018.

The Sport Changes Life Foundation backed camp in Letterkenny is a great way for young athletes to improve their games whilst picking up useful tips from the Victory Scholars.

A spokesman said: “The opportunity to be coached by Sport Changes Life’s Victory Scholars will be an incredible experience for young athletes in building their confidence and teamwork skills and one we hope they will hold with them as their sporting careers develop.”

Email LYITscholars@gmail.com for more details.

Podium finish

Killmacrennan’s Richard Kerr ended his debut season in motorcycling’s supersport class with a double podium at the international sunflower trophy races held at

tion but by that stage but the Donegal side were already through to the next stage of the competition.

Scorers: Christopher Diver 2-6(4f), Mark Bonner (1-2), Donal Gallagher 0-1, Mandyellt 1-0, Michael Doherty 1-1, Max Roarty 1-0 There were some top performances from Jamie Macauley, Josh Patton, Mark Bonner, Donal Gallagher, and Gareth Gallagher.

Bishopscourt . Co. Down.

He would like to thank all his sponsors for their invaluable support in 2018. He now has a well earned break for a few weeks before training resumes for the 2019 season and the team will announce be their plans for next season in the near future.

Accumulator bet comes in

A Donegal GAA enthusiast has won over €2,000 on a €10 accumulator bet while a horseracing fan is also celebrating after winning over €9,000 Daniel Gallagher placed a €10 bet on five different GAA selections.

The odds amounted to 205/1.

His selection was as follows: Donegal to win Ulster 3/1; Galway to win Connacht 2/1; Kerry to win Munster 2/7; Dublin to win the All-Ireland; Gaoth Dobhair to win Donegal SFC 7/1 Donegal surged past Fermanagh to lift the Ulster title and Galway then obliged in Connacht. The Kerry success in Munster was predictable and it was no surprise that Dublin secured another All-Ireland title.

So it was all down to Sunday’s Donegal SFC decider and Gaoth Dobhair delivered.

Little wonder then that he was celebrated as his bet was worth €2,057.

His win was highlighted on Sports Joe. ie

Sports Star Nominations

Nominations for the Donegal Sports Star Awards are now open. Donegal County Council continues to be the exclusive sponsor of these awards.

Please note that the Hall of Fame inductee will be selected by the Donegal Sports Star Awards committee so nominations will not be taken for this category.

Nominations can be made online on the nominations page at www. donegalsportsstarawards. ie and emailed to info@ donegalsportsstarawards. ie or by completing a simple nomination form which can be downloaded and posted to: Paul McDaid, Post Office, Ramelton The closing date for nominations is Friday, November 23rd.

Centre of Excellence

Works are now well underway for the new building at the GAA county training centre in Convoy.

The €2m plus development is now beginning to take shape.

The new sports training centre will be built over two storeys and will comprise changing rooms, a gym, multi-purpose hall, meeting rooms and ancillary facilities, together with a spectator stand, hurling wall, separate maintenance shed and connection to exist

SPORT 47

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

SPORTING

EVENTS

Photos: Gerard McHugh

New Entrant Sports Scholarships awarded at LYIT

Pictured are recipients of the New Entrant Sports Scholarships for GAA awarded at Letterkenny Institute of Technology. Front row (L-R) Billy Bennett, VP for Academic Affairs and Registrar , Ryan Hilferty, Letterkenny, a Donegal County Hurling team member ,Keelan McGroddy, Downings, a Donegal County Minor team member ,Paul Hannigan, President, LYIT.

Letterkenny Institute of Technology made presentations to eight New Entrant Sport Scholars recently.

Those awarded the scholarship, which is worth €1,000 to each successful applicant, were selected from the current academic group of new entrant students, in recognition of their performance and achievement in either GAA at Intercounty level or Soccer at League of Ireland level.

Upon the introduction of the New Entrant Sports Scholarship Programme in September 2015, a total of three awards were then made.

The continued growth of the programme has been accredited to the development of sport in the institute in recent years and also to the ever increasing standards in both GAA and Soccer in the third level education sector, in particular in LYIT. The New Entrant Sports Scholarship Programme, which is open to full time students registering in LYIT for the first time, is also linked to the main Sports Scholarship Programme in the institute.

These scholarships are awarded during

February of each year.

In presenting the awards, Paul Hannigan, President of LYIT, congratulated the recipients and complimented the GAA and Soccer club members in LYIT on having maintained and enhanced the sporting standards over the years.

He commented that the development and commitment each year, provides the basis for the expanding sports programme.

Mr Hannigan also urged these students to be aware of their academic commitments and to establish a balance between their sports and studies in the year ahead.

RIGHT: Pictured are recipients of the New Entrant Sports Scholarships for Soccer awarded at Letterkenny Institute of Technology. Front row (L-R) Billy Bennett, VP for Academic Affairs and Registrar , Sean McBride, Ballybofey, a Derry City U19 player, Paul Hannigan, President, LYIT, Back row (L-R) , Stephen Doherty, Buncrana, a Finn Harps U19 player , Adam Duffy, Fahan, a Finn Harps senior team player, Keelan McGill, Fintown, a Finn Harps U19 player.

Pictured are recipients of the New Entrant Sports Scholarships for Ladies GAA awarded at Letterkenny Institute of Technology. Front row (L-R) Billy Bennett, VP for Academic Affairs and Registrar, Danielle McDevitt, Glenties, a Donegal County Minor team member , Zoe Campbell, Lifford, a Donegal County Minor team member, Paul Hannigan, President, LYIT.

The winning New Entrant Sports Scholarships students for this year are: • Zoe Campbell, Lifford, a Donegal County Minor team member.

• Stephen Doherty, Buncrana, a Finn Harps U19 player.

• Adam Duffy, Fahan, a Finn Harps senior team player.

• Ryan Hilferty, Letterkenny, a Donegal County Hurling team member.

• Sean McBride, Ballybofey, a Derry City U19 player.

• Danielle McDevitt, Glenties, a Donegal County Minor team member.

• Keelan McGill, Fintown, a Finn Harps U19 player.

• Keelan McGroddy, Downings, a Donegal County Minor team member.

Pictured are recipients of the New Entrant Sports Scholarships awarded at Letterkenny Institute of Technology. Front row (L-R) Billy Bennett, VP for Academic Affairs and Registrar , Danielle McDevitt, Glenties, a Donegal County Minor team member, Paul Hannigan, President, LYIT, Zoe Campbell, Lifford, a Donegal County Minor team member. Paul Lynch Student Union President . Back row (L-R) AnnMarie Kelly, Registrars Office , Stephen Doherty, Buncrana, a Finn Harps U19 player , Ryan Hilferty, Letterkenny, a Donegal County Hurling team member , Adam Duffy, Fahan, a Finn Harps senior team player , Keelan McGroddy, Downings, a Donegal County Minor team member, Sean McBride, Ballybofey, a Derry City U19 player, Keelan McGill, Fintown, a Finn Harps U19 player. Josephine Wilson, Student Union Administrator.

48 SPORT

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

SOCCER - AIRTRICITY LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION

Promotion play-off final place is secured

Harps sparkle continues as they outshine Drogs Finn Harps

2

Drogheda United

0

(Finn Harps win 3-1 on aggregate) Chris Ashmore reporter

Finn Park was rocking on Friday night as Finn Harps took another major step towards the aim of returning to the Premier Division as they overcame Drogheda United in the promotion play-off series.

The prize is now a two-legged promotion play-off final against Limerick, with the first leg in Ballybofey this coming Bank Holiday Monday., October 29th.

Quite simply, whoever emerges from that two-legged affair will be in the top flight next year while the losers will be in the second tier.

Goals from John Kavanagh – on-loan from Cork City - and Nathan Boyle paved the way to victory and Harps were good value for it overall.

Harps, who are unbeaten in 12 games (excluding an FAI Cup defeat against Dundalk) will surely fancy their chances against Limerick who have nose-dived in recent weeks, and who dispiritingly lost 4-0 against St. Patrick’s Athletic in their final home game of the league campaign on Friday.

Early

The early stages of the Drogheda game was equally as open as in the first leg when

Finn Harps go close to finding the net during the Drogheda game.

the sides drew 1-1.

Harps, roared on by the majority of fans in an official attendance of 2,201, conjured up the first real chance on 11 minutes when top scorer Mikey Place squirmed his sway deep into the Drogheda box but fired across the face of goal.

Harps boss Ollie Horgan gambled by starting former Northern Ireland international McCourt – who has battled against injury all season – but it was another former Candy Stripes player, Mark Timlin, who stood out in midfield with

a number of weaving runs and deft touches.

Drogheda’s first opening of note fell to Gareth McCaffrey but, despite being in space, his curling shot was well adrift of the target.

Harps took the lead on 18 minutes when following a swift attack down the left flank Boyle laid the ball off for the supporting Kavanangh who fired low and hard just inside the post.

Harps went close to doubling their tally on 28 minutes when McCourt threaded an inch-perfect pass between

two Drogheda players to Mark Coyle on the right and he whipped in a cross that saw Ciaran Coll just failing to connect with at the far post.

Drogheda were prone to sending deep balls into the Harps penalty area that were consistently gathered in confident fashion by Gallagher.

The closest to a Drogheda goal in the first half materialised on 42 minutes when Mark Doyle swept the ball across the Harps goal but McCaffrey arrived a second too late at the far post.

Moments later Doyle then

had a spectacular headed pushed over the bar by Gallagher in acrobatic fashion but a flag had already been raised for off-side as the visitors enjoyed their best spell before the break.

Chance

Boyle missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 four minutes after the resumption when he somehow fired wide from eight yards.

And Drogheda had Paul Skinner to thank twice shortly afterwards as he made a decent stop to denying the menacing Boyle and then TImlin.

Letterkenny Rovers

The Youths begin their interim League campaign this Saturday when travelling to face Swilly Rovers in Ramelton with a 2pm kick-off while the 16s are in Champions League action at Leckview on Sunday morning when playing Lagan Harps at 11am in their final group game.

Congratulations to club players Gavin McGee and Jonathan Coady who represented Ulster in the Interpros u17s tournament last weekend in Cork.

Ticket selling for the clubs annual draw is into its final week with tickets priced at ten euro and available from all club personnel and all support appreciated.

This week’s mini lotto numbers drawn were 3,10,18 and 20.

Five people matched three numbers receiving 15 euro each with lucky winners Johnny McGlynn, Janet Coyle, L and P Blake, Caitlin Laird and Big Boys.

Next weeks jackpot is €2,500 Club bingo continues in the Station House Hotel on Thursday evenings at 830pm sharp. This weeks snowball is €4,000 on 45 numbers or less and again all support appreciated.

Harps got the second they deserved on 66 minutes when Boyle carved out space inside the box and fired into the bottom corner.

Lee Duffy went close for Drogs on 78 minutes but they played second fiddle to Harps for most of the second half and the FInnsiders emerged as deserved winners.

Although Drogheda put Harps under a little bit of pressure late on, it would have been an injustice had they got back into the game, and Harps could well have won by more.

Indeed, as the game went into stoppage time, substitute Jesse Devers broke forward and into a good position but was unable to finish when the better option may have been to pick out either Place or TImlin who had both advanced in the counter-attack.

Harps will now be hoping that history will repeat itself in the play-off. Back in 2015, the Donegal club beat Limerick 2-1 on aggregate to get promoted and send Limerick down.

However, this time around Limerick will have home advantage in the second leg.

Finn Harps: Gallagher, Coll, Borg, Cowan, Timlin, Coyle, Place (O’Flynn, 90 mins), McCourt (Logue, 74 mins), Boyle (Devers, 78 mins), Todd, Kavanagh.

Drogheda United: Skinner, Deasy (Manley, 65 mins), Kane, Purdy, Farragher, Gallagher, Brennan, McCaffrey (Amour, 70 mins),, Doyle, Kelly, Hondermarck (Duffy, 58 mins).

Referee: D. Tomney (Dublin).

Rovers crush Cockhill

Mulroy Academy awarded FAI Club Mark Award Mulroy Academy were awarded the FAI Club Mark Award and are one of only 13 clubs nationally to receive the award.

Vincent Foley FAI Education and Support Officer attended to present the award to Club.

Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan was the special guest. The Harps boss has a special affiliation with the club and people of Fanad having played and managed Fanad United over a 20 year period.

The club are honoured to receive the

award which is the result of two years of working with the FAI to achieve the FAI Club Mark.

Colm McGonigle was also honoured with an appreciation award after 15 years service to the club.

Ulster Senior League double winners Cockhill Celtic crashed out of the FAI Cup on Sunday as they lost heavily to great rivals Letterkenny Rovers.

Rovers, who reached the final a few years ago, triumphed with a 5-0 success.

And Cockhill ended up with just nine men as Daniel Martin Doherty and Gerry Gill were both given their marching orders in the second half.

Kevin McGrath and Jonny Bonner were on target in the first half while BJ Banda and Paul McVeigh scored in the second half with Bonner also contributing with a penalty.

It was a sweet victory for Rovers at Leck View Park but hugely disappointing for the Inishowen side.

In the other game, Bonagee United thumped Swilly Rovers 8-1.

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

AROUND THE

GROUNDS

SPORT 49 Finn Harps v. Drogheda United at Finn Park, Ballybofey

Lifelong Finn Harps’ Supporter Seamus Bell watching the action at Finn Park on Friday night.

Finn Harps Draw

Texting the news from Finn Park while keeping an eye on the action.

The Finn Harps Summer Draw took place on the pitch immediately after the game on Friday and the responsibility for drawing the winners rested on the shoulders of two capable Killybegs men, Finn Park regular Stevie Packie Coleman, a brother of Irish captain Seamus Coleman, and Joe O’Donnell, representing draw sponsors Champion Travel.

The top three winners were: 1) Executive ticket package to a Premier League Match for two: Mary Dunnion, Castlefin; 2) 4 VIP tickets to FAI Cup Final plus B&B, Joel McGlinchey, Knock Ballybofey; 3) Google Home Hands-Free Smart Speaker, Mick McLaughlin Buncrana.

A change from the normal team photo as this angle really shows the focus on the players faces prior to the Drogheda game.

A night he will never forget! this young boy has a great vantage point at Finn Park as he watches Finn Harps defeat Drogheda United.

Sponsor of match ball, Andrew Mulrine of Mulrine Motors and daughter Rachael present a cheque to Kevin McHugh of Finn Harps at Finn Park on Friday,

50 SPORT

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

SOCCER - AIRTRICITY LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION

Finn Harps go into play-off final as the form team but....

Horgan plays down expectations Doublechasi n g Dundalk might be breaking records all around them – but the Airtricity League’s most in-form team since June has been Finn Harps!

The Donegal side can now smell the prospect of Premier Division football again.

Ollie Horgan’s charges have lost just once in their last 13 games – and that was an FAI Cup exit in Oriel Park against the Lilywhites.

While UCD collected the Division One crown and the automatic promotion spot, runners-up Harps came with a late surge that largely went under the radar.

Chris Ashmore reporter

Harps won eight and drew two of their last ten league games – a points haul of 26 – while UCD only managed 19 points in their final ten league outings.

By comparison, Dundalk’s last ten league outings on the way to lifting the Premier Division title saw them win eight, draw one and lose one – a return of 25 points!

On Friday, Harps recorded a 2-0 success over Drogheda United to make it 3-1 on aggregate in the promotion play-off series, and extend their unbeaten league/play-off run to 12.

Now they face Limerick in the twolegged promotion/relegation final with the first leg at Finn Park this Bank Holiday Monday, October 29th.

The formbook suggests that despite being the Division One club, Harps

have the momentum.

Limerick must lift themselves, having collected just six points in their last ten Premier outings.

But Harps boss Ollie Horgan is quick to play down any suggestions that Harps may have the upper hand.

“It was a great win over Drogheda, but it counts for nothing,” he insisted. “Now we play Limerick who are a Premier Division side and who are full time. They will probably be a much more difficult proposition that Drogheda were. We will have our work cut out.”

Horgan has been meticulous in his preparations all season, and has often driven through the night to return from watching opponents.

He is likely to travel to make the 600 mile round-trip to watch the Shannon-

Ollie Horgan

siders in action against Waterford at the RSC in their final league game on Friday night.

But given that Limerick have nothing to play for, he added: “the difficulty is what team will they (Limerick) put out?”

Former Northern Ireland and Celtic star Paddy McCourt, who will be 35 in December, could well be ending his playing days on a winning note. While he has struggled with injuries and rarely lasts 90 minutes, he has nevertheless been a vital cog in the Harps machine. Next season he will he head of the Derry City Academy, but his priority now is helping Finn Harps to win promotion. Chris Ashmore reports.

The Derry Pele will surely have a big say in the promotion/play-off final

McCourt's final game on Monday night

Paddy McCourt was again instrumental in Harps’ victory over Drogheda at Finn Park. Photos: Gary Foy.

Former Northern Ireland international and Celtic star Paddy McCourt is hoping to end his playing days on a high - by doing his bit to get Finn Harps promoted.

Every time he appears to have played his last senior competitive game, he seems to get a stay of execution.

But his time on the pitch will now finally come to an end as Finn Harps face Limerick in the promotion/relegation play-off final over two legs.

On Friday, the Derry Pele played his part in the Donegal club’s 2-0 victory over Drogheda (3-1 on aggregate)

to extend their season.

“It was a fantastic result in the end. There were a few sticky spells in the game but we managed to get through quite comfortably,” he said.

Barring their FAI Cup exit against double-chasing Dundalk, Harps have now gone 12 games unbeaten, and he is upbeat about the play-off.

“I missed quite a few games with a knee injury but thankfully I have come back at the right time and hopefully we can finish the job in the next couple of games.

McCourt (34), who will be the head of the Derry City

Academy next season, added: “It would be a great way to finish. I won’t be here next year but it would be great for the people at the club, and the fans, if Harps are in the Premier Division.”

He paid tribute to boss Ollie Horgan and assistant Paul Hegarty, not least for bringing in new signings during the summer window that really made a difference.

“They work so hard for this club and a lot of it goes unnoticed, and I think Finn Harps are lucky to have them both.

Looking ahead to the Limerick game, he said: “We are

confident, but are not going to be over confident.”

Back in July, the Derry native hobbled off against Drogheda United, and has been limited since. As Horgan explained: “Paddy is not able for a full match, we have to use him sparingly, and we have to get it right.”

McCourt will be expected to start against Limerick, and more than likely will be substituted. One thing is for sure, he will get a standing ovation at Finn Park on Monday.

Thank you Paddy. It's been a pleasure to watch your silky skills.

Finn Harps legend Brendan Bradley scored a record 29 league goals for the Donegal club back in the 1975/76 season. But last weekend, Dundalk’s Pat Hoban managed to equal the record and the Airtricity Premier League champions still have one game to play.

Will Brendan Bradley’s one season goals haul be beaten?

Pat is ‘Hoban’ to break record Chris Ashmore reporter

Brendan Bradley scores against Shelbourne at a packed Finn Park in the 1970s. Photo: Finn Harps.

Former Finn Harps and Derry City legend Brendan Bradley’s record for the most goals in a season for a League of Ireland club could be beaten.

Back in the 1975/76 season, Bradley notched up 29 league goals for Finn Harps.

But could that record be beaten.

On Friday night, Dundalk striker Pat Hoban bagged a hat-trick as the Louth side thumped Sligo Rovers - managed by caretaker manager Brian Dorrian from Killybegs - 5-0 on a night that saw the

Lilywhites being presented with the Premier Division trophy.

Hoban scored twice to bring his tally for the season to a record equalling 29.

But he could well have broken the record last night - he missed a penalty early on.

Dundalk still have one more league game to play, next Friday away to Bohemians so Hoban has the chance to end Bradley’s long running record.

It is worth pointing out, however, than Bradley’s total of 29 came from just 26 league games as it was then just a 14 team league where everyone played each other twice.

In the Premier Division this season, there are ten teams but they play each other four times each, resulting in 36 games.

During the 1975/76 season, Bradley scored all six in Harps’ victory over their north-west rivals. On four occasions, Bradley was the top scorer in a season.

Meanwhile, Bradley’s alltime league scoring record of 235 goals remains unthreatened.

The second highest scorer was Jason Byrne with 218.

Hoban, from Galway, was joint highest scorer (20) in 2014, along with Christy Fagan of St. Patrick’s Athletic.

SPORT 51

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

SOCCER

Harps stadium project to get fresh legs in 2019

“The Donegal Stadium” is coming – Finn Harps An image of Finn Harps' new stadium showing the main stand which is being built first.

reporter

Finn Harps’ long-planned for new ground may be shrinking slightly in terms of capacity but club officials are adamant that the project is once again moving – and significant progress will be made next year.

Indeed, the new ground – which will be known as “The Donegal Stadium” should really begin to take shape in 2019.

Originally, it was planned to develop a 6,600 all-seater stadium – and planning permission was granted in June 2007.

Now however, it has emerged that the revised plans will see the development of a stadium with a capacity of 5,600.

“

It is always our intention to play in the Premier Division and we want facilities to match the club’s ambition off and on the pitch - Paul McLoone

“

Chris Ashmore

Although ground work at the site in Stranorlar – less than a kilometre as the bird flies over the River Finn from Finn Park in Ballybofey – began back in 2008, there have been long periods of inactivity.

The recession, legal and funding issues have plagued the project.

Ballyshannon based Paul McLoone, the former Paul McLoone, Head of Operations for Fáilte Ireland in the North West, is now spearheading the project.

And he has been buoyed by some recent developments, including the Department of Sport announcement of a €304,000 grant towards the project. It has now emerged that the project could cost as much as €12 million, The next phase of work will be to complete the main stand which will have seating of almost 2,000, and will also include dressing rooms, and an administration block.

It is then planned to develop the other sides of the ground in phases.

Little has been done in recent years at Finn Harps' new "home"

Last week, club officials stated that they hoped the project will be completed within five years.

“It is always our intention to play in the Premier Division and we want facilities to match the club’s ambition off and on the pitch,” McLoone

Declan Boyle’s boys on course for double - match is switched to Buncrana due to weather forecast

Harps face Shamrock Rovers in the U-17 final The Finn Harps U17s side managed by Declan Boyle, will face Shamrock Rovers in the league final at Maginn Park in Buncrana on Saturday at 3.00 pm.

The Harps youths go in search of what would be a historic league and cup double, having already lifted the Mark Farren cup earlier in the season.

The match had originally been scheduled for Finn Park, but with rain forecast for this weekend the club had no choice but to change venue in view of protecting the surface for Monday night's play-off final against Limerick.

Finn Harps chairman Sean Quinn said, “While we would have loved to host the final at Finn Park, we know the Declan and the team will get terrific support from the Inishowen football community, as always when we play there, and our many loyal fans in the area will no doubt be out in force as well.

told RTE News.

“On the pitch the club is going quite well at the moment but off the pitch we’re lacking in facilities.

“The current Finn Park just isn’t up to the standard so we want to send a signal about soccer in Donegal that

we’re going to work at the top table,” he stated.

After so many false dawns, and much frustration about the project, the Finn Park faithful will be hoping that the dream does become a reality.

The first sod was actually turned back in May 2008 by the then Minister of State Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher.

Meanwhile, news of the Harps plans comes at a time when a number of other clubs have also recently announced significant projects.

Bohemians and Shelbourne are set to ground-share a totally rebuilt Dalymount Park while Shamrock Rovers are adding a new stand and St. Patrick’s Athletic and Drogheda United both have aspirations to move to new, bigger grounds in the next few years.

SOCCER SCOREBOARD RESULTS

Saturday 20th October 2018 Glencar Inn Division One Arranmore United 1 Strand Rovers 1 Castlefin Celtic Reserves 6 Dunlewey Celtic 3 Oldtown Celtic 1 Keadue Rovers Reserves 1 Glenea United Reserves 2 St. Catherines Reserves 0 Old Orchard Division Two Drumoghill F.C. Reserves 3 Gweedore Celtic Reserves 2 Drumkeen United Reserves 1 Fintown Harps AFC 2 Cappry Rovers Reserves 3 v Kildrum Tigers Reserves 3 Sunday 21st October 2018 Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division Donegal Town 7 St. Catherines 2 Temple Domestic Appliances Division One Drumoghill F.C. 0 Convoy Arsenal 4 The Finn Harps under-17 side managed by Killybegs man Declan Boyle are through to the FAI U-17 League Final having beaten Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Harps booked their place in the decider after an excellent 3-1 win over Galway Utd at Eamonn Deacy Park on Sunday.

The Harps youngsters scored twice in the first half courtesy of Joel Bradley Walsh and captain Darragh

Ellison. Carndonagh lad Luke Rudden nipped in for a killer third in the closing stages before Galway grabbed a late consolation goal.

Finn Harps: Eoin McGing, Lee McLaughlin, Darragh Ellisson, Stephen Black, Joel

Bradley-Walsh, Jack Doherty, Corie McBride, Brendan Barr, Gabriel Aduaka, Ronan Gallagher, Conor Black. Subs: Adrian McLoughlin, Luke Rudden, Adam McCaffrey, Jamie Doherty, Nathan Logue, Dylan Woods, Finian O’Donnell.

Donegal Physiotherapy & Performance Centre Division Two Curragh Athletic 4 Kerrykeel ‘71 F.C. 5 FAI Junior Cup Greencastle F.C. 4 Raphoe Town 1 Ballybofey United 1 Lifford Celtic 3 Kildrum Tigers 2 Glenea United 2 Keadue Rovers 1 Illies Celtic 2 Cappry Rovers 3 Rathmullan Celtic 0 Castlefin Celtic 0 Glengad F.C. 3

52 SPORT

BIG

GAA – DONEGAL SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Third county championship medal for veteran

Letterkennypost Thursday 25 October 2018

MATCH

REACTION

Another great moment for Neil McGee

“

Now I can slag Michael Murphy and big Neil Gallagher that I have three along with them. I am trying to overtake them.

“

Another title in his twilight years for Gaoth Dobhair's Kevin Cassidy.

But Sunday’s victory over Glenties in the county final is right up there with quite a few of Neil’s greatest moments.

Neil now has three county medals.

“I won two early on in my career in 2002 and 2006 and have then been watching teams lift county titles for a long number of years ever since.

“We kept saying, we have to get back there, but it never seemed to work out.

“But we have pulled together pretty well these past few years and we were the best team in the county this year.

“And we did show it there today.

“But beating St Eunan’s in the very first match was a big thing for us as it is a hard place to go and get a win.

“Once we won, we had one hand on the cup after that game if we just kept our composure and discipline,” he said.

“I won two before I was 20 and it is nice to have three out of three appearances and now I can slag Michael Murphy and big Neil Gallagher that I have three along with them.

“I am trying to overtake them.”

But Gaoth Dobhair have serious ambitions in Ulster and McGee immediately references their U-21 victory in Ulster last year as a highly significant achievement.

“They won Ulster last year and that gave them great confidence and you see the composure they showed out there

today.

“They are very composed and that success really stood to them.”

He added: “We were sort of in control in the first half and a lot of our scores came from play but there was still only two points in it at half time.

“But Glenties kept plugging away, but we knew we would get there if we just kept doing what we had been doing.”

What they have been doing all year has been pure quality and they and Neil McGee are looking to test their mettle against Cargin on November 4th.

Ciaran Gallagher, Naomh Conaill, breaks the ball down to a colleague, under pressure from Neil Mc Gee, Gaoth Dobhair, in the senior final.

A super win for a Gaoth Dobhair true great

Cassidy pays tribute to Mervyn O’Donnell Gerry McLaughlin sports reporter

The smile on the face of the legendary Kevin Cassidy said everything about what this great Gaoth Dobhair victory meant to the men in the green and white.

For one of Donegal and Gaoth Dobhair’s true greats looked like a man who had just won the Lotto.

Mind you his brother Stephen did ok with a wee bet as a happy Kevin revealed to the press amid scenes of great emotion just under the press box.

But, on this balmy evening in Bal-

lybofey Cass’s face is full of joy and bonhomie as he reflects on a great victory for his beloved Gaoth Dobhair but also on the Ulster campaign.

They meet Cargin of Antrim and Cassidy is already looking ahead.

“We did not speak too much about Ulster collectively, but I have thought about it and I am sure a lot of people have thought about it.

“We will enjoy a few days and then we will get ready for the Antrim champions.

And when asked about the magical Odhran MacNiallais, he is quite effusive: “He is unbelievable and we know that is in Odhran.

“I have seen that man since he was ten or twelve years of age doing all that in Magheragallon.

“We are seeing him doing it for Donegal and he is still only 26,

maybe there is too much pressure on his shoulders.

“We asked him at the start of the year, to go out and enjoy himself and express himself.

“There is no better player in the country when he is in that kind of form.”

But Cassidy, MacNiallais and Gaoth Dobhair have been on a bit of journey back to the big time.

“Twenty months ago, we were hammered out the gate by Glenties, humiliated for a club like us.

“Mervyn O’Donnell (Cass’s brother-in-law) came in and took the job nobody wanted.

“He got us all in a one room, got everyone buying into what he was doing and all we wanted was to win the championship.

“So we all bought in and went close last year, but we used the hurt of last year to spur us on this

Back in August Michael Carroll helped Donegal Boston – whose line-up included Dublin star Diarmuid Connolly - to a 0-17 to 1-12 win over Wolfe Tones in the final of the Boston Senior Football Championship.

As Gerry McLaughlin reports, he now has a second championship medal just a couple months later.

From Boston to Ballybofey for Carroll as he savoured a memorable victory with his comrades under the press box in Ballybofey.

“

Hopefully this is the first of many and hopefully we can give Ulster a rattle now.

“

For young Gaoth Dobhair star Michael Carroll, this was his second county championship of the year.

The versatile and talented 20-year-old won a US county championship with Donegal Boston in the exalted company of ex Dublin star Diarmuid Connolly in August.

So it was very much double delight for the son of the late Francie Carroll (ex -UCG and Gaoth Dobhair star who was on the losing side to Sean MacCumhaill’s in the 1977 county final) in the company of Donnacha MacNiallais, father of Odhran.

And Michael’s older brother James “Rua” Carroll was in the subs.

Michael was suffering the effects of cramp but I doubt if he was feeling too much pain

“I am absolutely delighted and so happy, this has been coming to this club for such a long time and I am just so happy to be part of it all,” he beamed.

“It means everything and even though we have won a lot of underage tiles it just does not beat the senior win.

“Nothing tops that,” he said.

“I was in the US and it is nice to get two championships, one with Donegal Boston, but here, this is the main one.

“Nothing will ever top this first victory.”

So when did classy corner forward Micheal think that Gaoth Dobhair were well on their way?

“I think after half time, we got three points in a row from Odhran MacNiallais and then there was the sending off and I think we knew we had it then.

“Odhran was just unbelievable and he was superb.”

When asked about his cramp he quipped: “America treated

me a bit well and that was why I was cramping up a bit.

“Hopefully this is the first of many and hopefully we can give Ulster a rattle now.

“We are all around 20 and 21, the future is bright, but we must push on as you don’t win championships easily”.

So can Gaoth Dobhair make an impression in the provincial championship?

“Yes we can, but first things first, we have a wee bit of celebrating to do.”

And they have a great tradition in that department also and why not…for sport is to be enjoyed and not endured!

Dermot Molloy, tries to break through the tackles of Cian Mulligan, and Michael Carroll, as he heads for goal, in the senior final in MacCumhaill Park.

year.”

“We hurt all winter and came back with great determination”.

“

Mervyn O’Donnell (Cass’s brother-in-law) came in and took the job nobody wanted.

He got us all in a one room, got everyone buying into what he was doing and all we wanted was to win the championship.

“

Neil McGee has been the “Diarmuid “Rock” O’Sullivan of Cork hurling type figure for Gaoth Dobhair and Donegal for many years, writes Gerry McLaughlin.

And he has three All Stars.

SPORT 53

FinnValleypost Thursday 25 October 2018

GAA – DONEGAL SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

MacNiallais inspires the men from Magheragallon

Gaoth Dobhair lift a record 15th senior title after emphatic win Gaoth Dobhair

0-17

Naomh Conaill

1-07

Gerry McLaughlin sports reporter

Bhi bua tuillte ag Gaoth Dobhair i gcoinne na nGleannta i gcluiche in ar imir Odhran MacNiallais thar barr.

Magnificent Odhran MacNiallais struck eight precious points as he imperiously led Gaoth Dobhair to their 15th county title before 6,000 fans in Ballybofey.

And their margin of victory did not flatter them in the slightest as a late scrambled goal from Glenties full-forward Ciaran Thompson scarcely put a gloss on matters.

“

This is a young team, teeming with talent, with eight of their players under 21.

But they also have real leaders in Eamon and Neil McGee along with Kevin Cassidy to temper that abundance of youthful exuberance.

The winners led by 0-8 to 0-6 at the break, but a quick fire three pointed frees from MacNiallais put the winners firmly in the driving seat early in the second half.

It got worse for Glenties when their veteran wing back Marty Boyle was lined in the 35th minute as he picked a yellow and a black card following a clash with Eamon McGee. But that was not the reason they lost this title as this youthful Gaoth Dobhair side has pace, power and panache to burn.

And they are now looking forward to an Ulster club championship clash with Cargin of Antrim.

And their man of the match was clearly Odhran MacNiallais who hit eight magnificent points and gave one of the greatest exhibitions of Gaelic football in the spiritual home of Donegal football.

Unlike last year’s snooze fest between Naomh Conaill and Kilcar, the opening half produced 0-14 and loads of entertaining football as Gaoth Dobhair led by two at the

Gaoth Dobhair are now looking forward to an Ulster club championship clash with Cargin of Antrim.

Anthony Thompson,Naomh Conaill, gets a hand in to flick the ball away from the boot of Odhran Mc Niallais, with goalkeeper, Stephen Mc Grath, coming out to narrow the angle in the final in MacCumhaill Park.

break.

MacNiallais’ three frees stretched the Gaoth Dobhair lead to 0-11 to 0-6 after 50 minutes.

And with the departure of Boyle, from then on there was only one team in it and Thompson’s late goal was swiftly answered by a point from the inevitable MacNiallais.

For 36-year-old veteran Cassidy, this was his third county title, having previously won titles in 2002 and 2006 along with Eamon and Neil McGee and Christopher McFadden.

And, now they are facing into Ulster with confidence against Cargin on November 4 with some of Donegal’s most exciting young talents on board.

But, it was Glenties who had the better start when Eoin Waide found Ethan O’Donnell in a sliver of space inside the Gaoth Dobhair and he arced over a delicious left footed point after just 47 seconds.

But this was to be their only point from play in a half where both sides mixed a blanket defence with some fine attacking play.

Daire O’Baoill opened Gaoth Dobhair’s account with a well struck point after a lightning

move in the fourth minute.

Ciaran Thompson regained the lead for Glenties from a soaring point But a fit and feisty looking Kevin Cassidy levelled matters after another pacey Gaoth Dobhair move.

Gaoth Dobhair took the lead for the first time when Eamon Collum converted a free after he was fouled in the eigth minute as the game grew into a fascinating battle where a few heavy hits were given and taken.

Ciaran Thompson tied matters again with a superbly struck side line free for Glenties in the 11th minute.

But, an eager Gaoth Dobhair went in front again with a fine point from the flying Cian Mulligan and pointed free for Odhran MacNiallais to leave Gaoth Dobhair leading by 0-5 to 0-3.

A free from Dermot “Brick” Molloy narrowed the gap and Leo McLoone showed real leadership by nailing a 30 metre free after he was fouled and the subject of some considerable attention from Gaoth Dobhair.

The pace quickened as half-time approached and Cian Mulligan pointed and it

looked as if Glenties were still in touch as Gaoth Dobhair led by 0-8 to 0-6 at half-time.

“

Man of the match was clearly Odhran MacNiallais who hit eight magnificent points and gave one of the greatest exhibitions of Gaelic football in the spiritual home of Donegal football.

“

“

This youthful Gaoth Dobhair side has pace, power and panache to burn

It was then that Glenties needed a big push.

Instead MacNiallais showed real leadership, steering over three unanswered points to give the winners a firm platform.

Boyle was then lined fol-

lowing a clash with Eamon McGee and suddenly the hill seemed even bigger to climb for Glenties.

It took the Glenties team over 22 minutes of the second half before they recorded their first point, courtesy of John O’Malley.

Christopher Sweeney made a fine save for Gaoth Dobhair as Naomh Conaill briefly lifted their game.

But MacNiallais got his fourth free of the second half to leave it 0-12 to 0-7 and the west Donegal side finally got their first point from play in the second half moments later from Dara O’Baoill.

And Cian Mulligan then tapped another score over the bar from play to make it double scores, 0-14 to 0-7.

Naomh Conaill got a late goal in the fourth minute of seven minutes of stoppage time with Ciaran Thompson getting the final touch to reduce the deficit to 0-14 to 1-7.

But, it was a mere consolation and typically MacNiallais responded with a fine point while Kevin Cassidy also put one over to extend the lead out to 0-16 to 1-7 and there was still time for the man of

the moment MacNiallais to add one more to leave a final score of 0-17 to 1-7.

Gaoth Dobhair: Christopher Sweeney; Gary McFadden, Neil McGee, Christopher McFadden; Niall Friel, Kieran Gillespie, Odhran McFadden/ Ferry; Daire O’Baoill (0-2) Odhran MacNiallais (0-86f); Cian Mulligan (0-3) Naoise O’Baoill, Eamon McGee; Eamon Collum (0-2f) Kevin Cassidy (0-2) Michael Carroll.

Subs; Donal McBride for Micheal Carroll (55), Seaghan Ferry for Eamon Collum (60), Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Kevin McGettigan, AJ Gallagher, Jason Campbell, Marty Boyle, Anthony Thompson, Eoin Waide; Leo McLoone, Kieran Gallagher; Ultan Doherty, Ethan O’Donnell (0-1), Eunan Doherty; Brendan McDyer (0-1) Ciaran Thompson (1-3f), Dermot Molloy (0-1f) Subs: Eoghan McGettigan for Dermot “Brick” Molloy (43) J John O’Malley (0-1) for Ethan O’Donnell (inj) (55), Aaron Thompson for Ultan Doherty (55), Seamus Corcoran for Eunan Doherty (57), Referee: (Shaun McLaughlin)

54 SPORT

FinnValleypost Thursday 25 October 2018

GAA - DONEGAL SENIOR B FINAL

Letterkenny side simply too good in the second half

ELECTRIFYING EUNAN’S HAVE TOO MUCH SPARK FOR NAOMH CONAILL St Eunan's

3-13

Naomh Conaill

0-10

Gerry McLaughlin sports reporter

Electrifying St Eunan’s had way too much power and panache for an outgunned Glenties side in the curtain raiser in Sean MacCumhaill Park.

The losers had stayed with the talented Letterkenny lads and the sides were level on a score of 0-6 to 0-6 at the interval.

But, the rampant winners tacked on an impressive 3-7 in the second half to exact sweet revenge for losing last year’s final after losing a seven points lead to Glenties.

They made no mistake this time and the sheer pace of their forward line caused all sorts of problems for a beleaguered Glenties side.

Man of the match Niall Hannigan finished with 1-6 and he was the greatest single threat to Glenties while the other corner forward Eoin McGeehin hit 1-4 to send Naomh Co-

naill home empty-handed.

Those three goals were real killers for Glenties, who were playing into the breeze in the second half.

The goals came in the 46h minute when team captain Michael Martin finished a Hannigan cross and a one two with Cillian Morrison to the net to put the winners into a pretty unassailable 1-10 to 0-7 lead.

Crucial

Glenties did hit a few points from Charles McGuinness and veteran Johnny Bonner, but it barely put a gloss on a pretty comprehensive defeat.

This was a sweet and deserved victory for a welldrilled and impressive St Eunan’s as they banished the blues of last year’s defeat.

Glenties can have few complaints as they had no real answers to the power and panache of the winners.

Free That crucial goal came just a minute after Leon ThompNaomh Conaill, who were son of Glenties blazed the ball aided by a swirling wind, across the Eunan’s settled first and Leon Thompson was just goal and wide.

And from then off the mark from to the finish an acute angle Man of the match there was in the second Niall Hannigan always only minute. going to be C h a r l e s finished with 1-6 one winner.

McGuinness and he was the Hannigan then had a bad greatest single wide from a played a one two with sub 20 metre free threat to Glenties before John Haran making and found the amends with a well Glenties net in the struck free from an 53rd minute. acute angle in the fourth And the rapier like McGee- minute.

The same player extended hin finished to the net with aplomb to seal the deal for that free when he converted a Eunan’s. much easier free from in front of the posts to put Glenties into a 0-2 to 0-0 lead.

Eunan’s were a bit slow to settle but did respond in style when corner forward Eoin McGeehin’s angled over a fine point from a sharp angle.

The accurate Niall Hannigan pointed a free and then hit one from play from a bad Glenties kick-out to put Eunan’s into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead in the 12th minute.

James McHugh equalized in the 15th minute for Glenties, but this was to be their last score for 12 minutes.

Eunan’s were very disciplined in defence and Hannigan was leading the Letterkenny attack with brio and the points flowed from Hannigan, a fine left-footed effort in the 20th minute.

Oisin Carr added to their lead with a well struck point with the outside of the boot.

But Hughie Gallagher hit Naomh Conaill’s first point in 12 minutes to narrow the gap while Charles McGuinness broke through the Eunan’s defence to level matters, two minutes from time.

McGuinness put Glenties into the lead in added time, but this was cancelled by Hannigan as the sides tied on 0-6 each.

And that was just before the second half black and amber deluge.

St Eunan’s: Eoin O’Boyle, Conor Moore, Darragh Toal, Sean Halvey; Sean Ryan, Oisin Carr (0-2) James Kelly; Jordan Noel Gavaghan, Naomh Conaill keeper, finds his path blocked by O’Dowd, Sean McGettigan; Michael Martin, St Eunan's, in the reserve final.

Cormac Finn, Cillian Morrison

Cathal Ellis, coming out of defence for Naomh Conaill, with Jordan O Dowd, getting a hand in for St Eunan's.

(0-1), Brian McIntyre; Niall Hannigan (1-63f) Michael Martin (1-0) Eoin McGeehin (1-3).

Subs; Anthony Gallagher for James Kelly, John Haran for Brian McIntyre (51), Jamie Doherty (0-1) for M Michael Martin (55), Ciaran Sharkey for Oisin Carr (58).

Naomh Conaill: Noel Gavaghan; Odhran McDaid, Cathal Ellis, Stephen Molloy; Oran Doherty, Johnny Bonner (0-1) Hughie Gallagher (0-1); Tony Byrne, Jamie Cranley; James McHugh (0-1),Charles McGuinness (0-64f), Danny Gallagher; Leon Thompson, (0-1) Paul McGuinness, Cian Doherty Subs; Martin Gallagher for Oran McDevitt, Shane McDevitt for James McHugh (48) Dermot Ward for Cian Doherty (50), Stephen Moore for Jamie Cranley (59).

Referee: Marc Browne (Four Masters).

Michael Mc Grath, County Board Chairman, presents the senior reserve cup to Mick Martin, captain of St. Eunan's, who defeated Naomh Conaill, in the final in MacCumhaill Park.

SPORT 55

FinnValleypost Thursday 25 October 2018

GAA

Donegal Junior B Final Replay: First championship title for Pettigo since 1953

Pettigo storm back to overcome Red Hughs Pettigo Red Hugh's

1-11 2-6

Pettigo made a bit of history on Sunday as they won the Donegal Junior B Final Replay against Red Hughs.

Not since 1953 have they sampled such success and it was a proud moment for all associated with the small border club.

But it marks a period of continued progress having tasted league success in Division 5 last season.

The end of this contest, unfortunately, was marred by a major bust-up as tempers spilled over.

Heart-stopping

It was a disappointing outcome for Red Hughs, whose senior team had won the Junior B title the week before.

It was heart-stopping stuff in the closing stages as Pettigo came from being 2-5 to 0-5 behind at the break to record a famous victory.

The victorious Pettigo side that won the Donegal Junior B Final Replay against Red Hughs.

Goals from Tim Callaghan and Ronan Gallen put the Killygordon side into a strong position at the interval.

But inspired by Jarlath Leonard, Pettigo came storming back.

Adam Barron made a

number of vital saves to repel the Red Hughs attack late on and Leonard’s final point of the game enabled Pettigo to

Rochford appointment confirmed

New sponsorship deal with KN Group Chris Ashmore reporter

CLG Dhún na nGall has announced that it has concluded a new increased five year sponsorship deal with the KN Group as their main sponsor until the end of 2023.

The sponsorship shall be outlined to County Committee on November 5th and launched in the Iveagh Gardens Hotel Dublin on December 7th at the Donegal GAA Fundraising Luncheon.

BOXING

Well done, Leah!

Leah Gallen who recently won a bronze medal at the European Junior Boxing championships in Russia was presented with a Finn Harps top from her former boxing coach and member of the famous Harps tea ladies squad Sharon Gillespie and also well known Harps volunteer Ann Kelly at Finn Park on Friday.

In welcoming the announcement Donegal County Chairman Mick Mc Grath thanked Mr Donagh Kelly, the MD of the KN Group, for his generosity and for his continued support of Donegal GAA County Teams.

“This is a healthy partnership for both groups and we look forward to a successful period as we grow together,” he said.

Meanwhile, Stephen Rochford, the former Mayo senior team manager, and Aaron Kyles, St Naul’s, shall join Declan Bonner’s coaching staff for

2019, McGrath has confirmed.

It has also been confirmed that the “mentoring personnel of Karl Lacey, Anthony Mc Grath, and John Mc Elhome” will not be part of the senior tootball backroom team for 2019.

“We thank them for their committed dedication to the development of our County squad,” McGrath stated.

League

Donegal will be in action in the Allianz National Football League on January 27th when they travel to Cusack Park in

Ennis to face Clare in their first away league fixture of 2019.

And the Donegal Co. Board has announced details of a “special Donegal supporters’ offer” with a double/twin room at €49.95 pps at the Templegate Hotel in the town.

Supporters are asked to contact the Templegate Hotel direct, and ask for this special offer and use the booking code 102538.

Donegal’ other opponents in Division Two in 2019 will be Armagh, Cork, Fermanagh, Kildare, Meath and Tipperary.

secure the title, having drawn 0-8 apiece in the original game.

There were huge celebrations afterwards, and these contin-

ued in the evening and long into the night back in Pettigo where there was a huge welcome for the men in maroon and white.

Pettigo: Adam McBarron; Eoghan Crossan, Enda Baird, John Kane; Johnny McManus, Patrick Carr, Jarleth Leonard (0-2); Ciaran McGee, David Robinson; Sean Robinson (0-1,f), Kevin Kane, Paul Robinson (0-2,2f); Darren Johnston, Michael Riordan (0-6,5f), Adie Britton. Subs., Shane Begley (1-0) for Britton (ht); Dylan McGrath for D Johnston 46 Red Hugh’s: Luke Kelly; Darren McCreary, Dylan Irwin, Tomas Doherty; Darragh Gallagher (0-1), Karl Gallen, Jason Callaghan; Justin McBride, Ryan Bradley; Ryan Dullaghan (0-2), Conor Gallagher (0-1), James Gallagher; Tim Callaghan (1-1), Ronan Gallen (1-1), Aidan Gallen.

Subs., Carl Scanlon for A Gallen 4; Mark McConnell for C Gallagher 49.

Referee: Pat Walsh (Bundoran)

ATHLETICS

Doherty gets onto Irish team There were tremendous performances from the Letterkenny AC runners who travelled to the Autumn Open Cross Country in Abbotstown, Dublin.

The trial race for the selection of the Irish team for the 5 Nations Cross Country International is subsumed within the event. Ciaran Doherty had a tremendous run and completed the 7.5KM course in 24.47.

He was second in the highly competitive M40 category, which has guaranteed him a place in Irish team for the event which will take place in Swansea in November.

Ciaran McGonagle also had a fine run and was 5th in the M40 category in a time of 24.54. There are 6 places on the Irish M40 team, with the first 4 in the race receiving guaranteed places. Although Ciaran is not guaranteed a place, he is in with an excel-

lent chance.

Raymond Birch had a very strong run to come home in 26.17 and a highly creditable 10th place in the ultra competitive M35 age group.

Nakita Burke put on a tremendous performance and clocked 21.44 in the 6K race which gave her 17th place in the Senior Women’s race.

Club Charman, Aidan McKenna, had a good run in Saturday’s St Mary’s Primary School 5K in Killyclogher and finished 11th.

Pol Mac Giolla Bhride was the leading LAC runner in Saturday’s Letterkenny parkrun.

The winning numbers in the LAC Lotto draw on 18th October were 5, 11, 16, 18. There were no Match 4 winners.

4 Match 2 winners won €20 each.

They were: Stephen Doherty (An Post), Joe Marley (An Post), Darren Beecroft and Garvan McCloskey.

Noreen Bonner, Teresa McGloin, Catriona Devine and Kay Byrne at the autumn cross country.

FinnValleypost Finn Valley AC ladies LYIT Scholarships P47 impress P44 Thursday 25 October 2018

www.donegalnow.com

Donegal boxer records 15th professional win

World Title fight dream continues

Chris Ashmore

chris@letterkennypost.com

Donegal’s Jason Quigley was upbeat after his latest pro success in the early hours of Friday morning.

He defeated Mexican Freddy Fernandez to retain his NABF middleweight title.

He said that he is “in the game to become world champion” and is continuing to

climb up the “trunk of the tree.”

But he had to give it his all to retain his NABF middle weight title in California.

He overcame the Mexican veteran in the headline bout of a Golden Boy on ESPN card.

Back at the same venue where he defeated Glen Tapia, Quigley did enough to keep his unbeaten run with his 15th professional victory.

It went to the judges and he

was given the decision as they scored 98-92, 98-92, 99-91.

This Thursday night Quigley will be appearing at the Villa Rose Hotel in Ballybofey from 7pm to meet and greet his fans.

His aim now is to find himself in line for a world title fight within the next 12 months.

The dream is still alive.

Jason Quigley with the NABF middleweight belt

Promotion/relegation play-off final in Ballybofey on Monday - can Harps take a giant step towards Premier Division soccer?

MAKE OR BREAK FOR HARPS Chris Ashmore

chris@letterkennypost.com

Will it be the start of a new era in the Premier Division for Finn Harps, or a case of rebuilding again?

So much is at stake for the Donegal club as it prepares to face Limerick in the promotion/ relegation play-off final, with the first leg in Ballybofey on Bank Holiday Monday (Kick-off 7.45 pm).

Whoever emerges victorious from the two-legs will play in the Premier Division next year while the losers will be Division One. The second leg is at the Market's Field on Friday, November 2nd.

If Harps get promoted, it will

Ciaran Coll, in his testimonial year, will be hoping to play his part as Finn Harps bid to make a swift return to the Premier Division.

be a massive achievement and the hope will be that they can stay up and kick-on. But defeat is likely to mean the break-up of the team that manager Ollie Horgan and assistant Paul Hegarty have assembled, and after all the hard work it could be a whole new rebuilding process again.

Harps, unbeaten in 12 league and play-off games, will actually be favourites in many people’s books.

Limerick have had troubles on and off the field all season - on Monday the High Court adjourned an application by the Revenue Commissioners to wind up the club – and they have won only once in their last seven league games, scoring two goals and conceding 18

goals. The shannonsiders, already cemented in second bottom spot, play their final league game against Waterford on Friday – and must then travel to Harps on the Monday for the play-off first leg.

Limerick manager Tommy Barrett believes that Harps will be firm favourites. “They have the momentum. It will be very difficult for us but we will give it our best shot,” he said.

But Horgan rejects such suggestions and stresses that Limerick are still a Premier team with “quality players.”

Meanwhile, not one Harps player was named in the PFAI SSE Airtricity League First Division Team of the Year, a surprise given that they finished second. That could be an added spur for Harps!

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