Duck Cottage’, a former Coastguard Station, on the water’s edge of Rutland Island, a half a mile from the Donegal mainland, is on the market for an eye-watering €455,000. 

Built in the early 1800s and modernised over recent years, the cottage is one of just fourteen homes on this unspoiled island.

Glorious sandy beaches, abundant wildlife, and rare wild flowers combine to make Rutland an exclusive hideaway in The Rosses.

Duck Cottage has its own boat slipway and a deepwater mooring allows easy access to other islands and the mainland.

There are no roads or mains water on Rutland. Pure Donegal rainwater is harvested from the cottage roof for showering and washing up.

A solar panel system helps heat the hot water.

There’s an electric two oven Aga cooker, two multi-fuel stoves, an open kitchen fire and storage radiators throughout.

A spectacular upstairs loft style lounge allows amazing views of the sea, nearby islands and the fishing boats and ferries heading for Aranmore.

A Beech and Oak Kitchen is at the heart of this cottage – ideal for get-togethers and cosy winter’s evenings. Duck Cottage will suit people with a love of the coast, boating and the countryside.

It’s a place for adventures. Homes like this rarely come on the open market.

See full listing from online here.

Donegal contestants on RTE’s Winning Streak continued the county’s recent luck on Saturday as they scooped over €100,000 between them. 

The lotto success could also continue in a forenight’s time when Newtoncunningham native Mary Doran will be among five players taking part in the next show – with

While none of the Donegal contingents were selected to spin the wheel, Sarah McCarron from Clonmany, Chris Gillespie from Carrick, and Kathleen Coyle from St Johnston all took part or was represented on prime time.

Christopher Boyce from Strabane represented his wife’s auntie Kathleen on the show and by the end won a car worth €25,000 and an additional €20,000.

St Johnston women, McCarron, scooped €45,000 and a holiday worth over €3000, while Chris Gillespie won €50,000 and a holiday also worth €3000.

Letterkenny Blaze under 16 girls have just won the All Ireland Club Championship Div B title held this weekend at Gormanston Park, Co Meath.

The girls came out top in the North West league and therefore were in the Div B category. They were situated in Pool 2 yesterday where they won 2 from 3 games beaten only by Maree from Galway by 6 points.

Their other pool games saw them beat Blackwater Steelers and Kenmare Kestrels. In their semi final earlier today the girls met St Colms where they kept their winning streak going through grit and determination winning out 41-33.

The final saw the girls make a blistering start which put Maree on the back foot. This was a nail-biting game but the girls kept their composure.

Despite amounting foul trouble, the girls kept working hard and when the final whistle sounded it was 46-41 in Blaze’s favour. There were great celebrations all around.

There will be a celebratory homecoming in the Loreto Secondary School Gym at 8:45pm. Please come out and show your support.

Several huge games took place in the Donegal Junior League this weekend. Full round-up below.

Saturday 13th April 2019

Glencar Inn Saturday Division One

Oldtown Celtic 0 v 3 Arranmore United

A good game, played in tough windy conditions in Rathmullan, saw Arranmore race out of the blocks and into the lead when a free kick was given and fired home from the edge of the area.

They soon doubled the lead from a free header at the back post.

Oldtown grew into the game and had chances to equalise but Arranmore stood strong at the back and added a third from close range with 10 minutes to go.

Castlefin Celtic Reserves 0 v 4 Strand Rovers

Strand Rovers kept their title aspirations on track with this victory over an under strength Castlefin at a stormy Park View.

Dylan Boyle put the visitors ahead in the 5th minute with a wind assisted chip over the keeper.

The same player doubled the advantage shortly afterwards with a fine finish from an acute angle.

Brendan Glackin made it three from close range just before half-time.

Castlefin battled hard in the second half but the result was sealed when Dylan Boyle completed his hat-trick in the 60th minute with an exquisite finish from just inside the box.

Best for Castlefin were Lee Mc Laughlin and Pauric Lafferty while Dylan Boyle and Doalty Boyle impressed for Strand.

Referee: Barry Hunter

Dunlewey Celtic 1 v 5 Donegal Town Reserves

Donegal Town took full advantage of the gale force conditions at Glentornan Park and in the first half they went 5-0 up before the break with the wind causing havoc for a make shift Dunlewey side.

Dunlewey pulled one back in the second half but it was too little too late. Donegal Town defended well to hold out for the 3 points.

St. Catherines Reserves 1 v 4 Glencar Celtic

This was an evenly contested game for the first 30 minutes.

St. Catherine’s scored first when Steven Anderson’s free-kick on the edge of the box found the Glencar net. St. Catherine’s went in at the break one up.

Early in the second half Glencar scored a penalty.

They then pressed on and added three more before the end. Best for St. Catherines were Nathan Byrne and Shane O’ Gara.

Old Orchard Saturday Division Two

Milford United Reserves 1 v 1 Drumoghill F.C. Reserves

Milford had the advantage of a strong wind in the first half and took the lead after 15 minutes.

A Milford corner was headed into the net by a Drumoghill defender for an own goal.

Milford had more chances to double their lead but some good defending kept them out.

With the wind behind Drumoghill in the second half it was all Drumoghill and they finally got the equaliser on 75 minutes.

Milford held out till the final whistle to make it to the final 3-1 on aggregate. A good team performance from both teams.

Referee: Brian O’Kane

Sunday 14th April 2019

Brian Mc Cormick Sports Premier Division

Cappry Rovers 0 v 2 Kilmacrennan Celtic

Kilmacrennan Celtic extended their lead at the top of the table to 6 points with this win over Cappry Rovers in perfect conditions at Cappry Park.

Kilmacrennan started the brighter and should have gone ahead on 5 minutes when Semi Friel put it over.

Caolan Mc Daid had a chance later when he lobbed the keeper only for ball to go wide of post. Cappry came more into the game as it went on and it evened out without any goals at half time. Kilmacrennan edged it in the second half and were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute when Caolan Mc Daid was brought down. Michael Mc Laughlin scored from the spot.

As Cappry pushed forward, they were stretched at the back and Seimi Friel added a 2nd on 65 minutes. Kilmacrennan then hung on comfortably to take all 3 points. Team performance from both sides.

Referee: Liam Mc Laughlin

Donegal Town 2 v 5 Castlefin Celtic

Castlefin came out on top in this highly entertaining encounter at the Hospital Field. Donegal were very slow out of the blocks and the visitors took full advantage of some lacklustre defending to race into a two-goal lead, the first through Emmet Whyte with Ronan Tourish adding the second.

Donegal settled after their poor start and began to play some good football. They deservedly found themselves back in contention when Ben Sweeney fired home, after good work from Ronan McHugh and Joe McIntyre.

McIntyre levelled things fifteen minutes into the second half as the Town began to dominate proceedings.

Donegal pressed on in search of a winning goal, but it was Castlefin who found themselves in front when Rory Dalton reacted quickest to a loose ball in the area.

JP Malley sealed the win for his side a minute later when he finished well to give his side some breathing space. Rory Dalton added another for Castlefin in the dying moments.

Referee: Marty Mc Garrigle

Rathmullan Celtic 0 v 0 Glenea United

Michael Deeney’s Hoops welcomed old foes Glenea to a blustery Seaside in a must win relegation battle for both sides but it turned out to be a goalless game with Shaun Gallagher saving a Padraig McGee Penalty in the first half as a share of the spoils seemed the fairest outcome.

The Hoops were coming into this match on the back of a fine away draw at title chasing Castlefin as their fight for survival has taken somewhat of a Renaissance with two wins and two draws in their last four outings.

Glenea are always the Premier Division perennials but face a huge finale in order to avoid the drop from the top flight like the Hoops and came to the Flagpole with a fully strengthened side driven forward by their talismanic midfielder Darren Ferry.

It was the midfield maestro who was upended on 15 minutes inside the area which resulted in a spot kick for McGee.

The striker’s effort was exquisitely saved by Hoops shot stopper Gallagher much to the thunderous applauds of the Seaside faithful.

The visitors edged the midfield battle in the opening period with Ferry threading through balls and passes to the wingers but no clear chances prevailed with Gallagher handling well from the high balls launched into the area.

The second period saw the Hoops come into the game more with Mark Wilson leading the line well and Eoin Sheridan driving forward more in search of that elusive opener but it simply wasn’t to come.

Reggie Miller went on a mesmerizing run on 86 minutes on the left wing skipping past the defence but his effort, from a very accuse angle, narrowly went over the crossbar in what was the only real clear cut effort of the half.

Glenea United’s Darren Ferry was the stand out player in midfield with his composure on the ball and passing, while Shaun Patton was immense between the posts for the Hoops alongside Mark Wilson up front.

The Hoops now travel to Keene Rovers in their penultimate game of the season followed by a final home game against St Catherine’s in their bid to maintain Premier League status and it’s, quite simply, all to play for.

Referee: Mick Lagan

Bonagee United 5 v 0 Convoy Arsenal

The visitors came close to opening the scoring on four minutes when a good strike from 20 yards by Joe Mc Gill was well saved by the home keeper.

Bonagee should have taken the lead on six minutes when a great ball into the box from the left by Paddy Mc Gowan fell to Aiden Mc Laughlin and the striker shot over from six yards. Carr in the home goal made another good save from Mickey Melaugh from twenty yards on eighteen minutes.

Two minutes later Carr again made a great save from a Joe Mc Gill strike from the edge of the box, the ball broke to Mickey Melaugh and his strike from ten yards was saved on the lone Carr.

Eamon Cannon saw his strike for the home side on twenty-seven minutes just go wide of the post. Aiden Mc Laughlin saw his header from ten yards from a corner saved by Matthew Gallagher in the visitor’s goal on forty minutes.

The home side took the lead on forty-seven minutes when Aiden Mc Laughlin shot home from just inside the box. Eamon Cannon made it two nil when he won the ball on the edge of the box and shot home to the bottom corner of the net on sixty-five minutes.

Joe Mc gill and Mickey Melaugh were always a threat up front for the visitors and the home keeper was called into action on a few occasions. The home side went three up on seventy-three minutes when Aiden Mc Laughlin headed home a Harper corner.

The home side got their fourth and Mc Laughlin his hat-trick on seventy-six minutes when he broke clear and slid the ball past the keeper from fifteen yards. The final goal came on eighty minutes when Mark Hunter shot home from the edge of the box. Team effort by both sides. Man of the match Aiden Mc Laughlin.

Referee: Con Mc Laughlin

Division Two champions Kerrykeel finished off their season with a well-deserved win over Curragh Athletic.

Kerrykeel ’71 F.C. 3 Curragh Athletic 2

The home team played against the breeze in the first half and started strong with Paddy Carr putting them in front on 10 minutes after heading home a Kevin Mc Gonigle cross.

Curragh drew level on 20 minutes when Micky Black scored direct from a free kick.

Curragh took the lead on the stroke of half time when Keelan Mc Daid headed home from a corner.

With the wind at their back for the second half Kerrykeel dominated possession and had numerous chances to score but the Curragh keeper was having a fantastic game.

Kerrykeel drew level with 20 minutes remaining when Johnny Friel scored from the spot after the lively Evan Hewitt was fouled in the area.

Five minutes later they were in front with Kevin Mc Gonigle scoring from close range after good build up play from Sean Little.

Curragh could not get out of their box and Kerrykeel struck the cross bar twice in quick succession from Michael Mc Devitt and Johnny Friel free kicks.

Referee Gerald Devine blew the whistle to end a fantastic season for the Kerrykeel side.

Referee: Gerald Devine.

Jackie Crossan Premier Division

Culdaff FC                     2

Glengad United                 3

An understrength and young Culdaff side showed great determination to push Glengad all the way in an entertaining encounter.

Glengad, as expected, dominated possession and went close on 12 minutes when Stephen McLaughlin’s twenty-yard free-kick shaved the bar.

A good break than on the right by Terence Doherty saw his cross pick out Cathal McDaid but under pressure from Ben Curley, he fired over the bar.

Before the break, Doherty broke on the right side and cut in but fired into the side netting.

Glengad upped the pace on the restart and a McDaid corner came off a defender and crashed off the post. Another McDaid cross from the left found

Michael Byrne through the middle but his header flew over the bar.

In a rare foray at the other end, Bryan McCandless pounced on a short back pass but Kevin McLaughlin was alert and well outside his area to clear.

The deadlock was broken on 70 minutes by the visitors after a speculative John G McLaughlin effort from twenty-five yards crept past John Collins and into the bottom corner.

Seven minutes later substitute Conor Barrow saw his cross headed home by Byrne at the back post despite the best efforts of Collins.

Within minutes Culdaff got a goal back when Curley ‘s free found Dermot Diver to slot home.

But Glengad restored their two-goal advantage when Terence Doherty raced clear onto a ball over the top and fired home.

Again three minutes later Culdaff got a goal back after an Aiden Cunningham cross from the left broke inside the area to McCandless whose effort took a deflection on its way to the net.

The home side tried hard but the visitors saw the game out to claim the points.

Redcastle United              1

Aileach FC                    5

​​​​​Both teams started well with most of the football being played in the middle of the park. The first chance fell after 14 minutes to Aileach when a corner resulted in a goal-mouth scramble. 

A minute later a run from Colin Doherty beat the Redcastle defense but his shot was well saved by McCole.

On 22 minutes Aileach took a deserved lead when Keith McColgan intercepted a pass and beat the defense and his cross found Colin Doherty who finished well.

Aileach went in search of a second and almost got it when Stevie Doherty got in but his effort was well smothered by McCole.

On the stroke of half-time, Colin Doherty took the ball around the keeper but his effort was well cleared off the line by Joe McCauley.

Aileach got their second on 52 minutes when Colin Doherty saw his effort saved by McCole but the rebound fell to Stevie Doherty who made no mistake.

Ten minutes later Aileach almost had a third when a quick free-kick caught out the defense but McCauley again cleared off the line.

On 67 minutes Aileach were awarded a penalty for a poor challenge by McCole but the keeper redeemed himself with a superb save.

In the 76th minute, Dermot Doherty cut the ball back to Colin Doherty who rolled the ball into the empty net.

From the kick-off, Aileach won the ball back and Gareth McGlynn found the net from 20 yards with a  brilliant strike.

With Minutes left Aileach had their fifth when a cross from Eamon Brown found Keith McColgan who tapped home from close range.

With Redcastle’s first attack in the second half, an effort from Evan Craig went in off the underside of the bar and made it 1-5.

Hannon Greene Fr O’Gara Cup   

Cockhill Youth                    2

Glengad Res                       0

Cockhill Celtic Youth progressed to the next round of the Fr. O’Gara earlier today thanks to two second-half goals from Odhran O’Brien-Daly & Mark McDaid at a blustery Charlie O’Donnell Sports Grounds.

The pace of the game was frantic in the opening period with both teams not giving their opponent time or space on the ball.

Cockhill, the home side, did get a foothold in the game and Mark McDaid had a little joy down the right wing.

On 20 minutes a Mark McDaid delivery into the box just eluded Darragh McDermott and the ball was cleared by Stephen McLaughlin.

Glengad threatened then on 25 minutes when Patrick McDermott got on the end of a Gary Kelly through ball but Odhran O’Brien-Daly got back to block his effort and force a corner.

The resulting corner led to the first real chance of the game when Cockhill broke at pace and Adam McLaughlin advanced with the ball to feed Darragh McDermott inside Glengads penalty area but McDermott dragged his shot past keeper Michael McLaughlin’s right-hand post.

Ten minutes later and the home side should have gone in front. Darragh McDermott received a pass on the ‘D’ from Adam McCarron before laying off to the inrushing Adam McLaughlin but McLaughlin strike was well saved by the Glengad Keeper McLaughlin.

Cockhill got off to the perfect start in the second period when after a Mark McDaid corner on 50 minutes was cleared the home side recycled the ball for Jack McDaid to deliver it back into the area for Odran O’Brien-Daly to glance a header into the bottom corner past the keepers outstretched right hand.

The visitors then had another chance as McDermott chased a long hopeful ball from defense and Kyle Dougal had to be alert to smother the danger.

Cockhill were awarded a penalty on 70 minutes when Adam McLaughlin was tripped up in the box.

McLaughlin himself took the penalty but was unlucky to see it hit the bottom right hand and away for a goal kick.

The home side sealed the win on 84 minutes when Mark McDaid tapped home from 6 yards out after a great set-up play by Jack McDaid and Adam McLaughlin on the right wing.

Greencastle Res 1

Clonmany Res 3

Clonmany took the lead with 10 minutes gone when a cross in from the wing was headed home from the edge of the box by Dessie Doherty.

Greencastle drew level with 28 minutes gone when there was a scramble in the box after a Joe Doherty corner and Ronan Doherty slotted home from 6 yards out. The home team had another chance when Andrew Peoples crossed from the left side for Ronan Doherty but he fired just past the post.

Clonmany then went 2-1up with 35 minutes gone when Conor Doherty played a pass in from the right side to Jason Devlin who controlled the ball on the edge of the box and hit a powerful shot to the bottom left corner giving Greencastle keeper Dylan Doherty no chance.

In the final minutes of the first half, Devlin had a shot well saved by Dylan Doherty while at the other end Ronan Doherty effort from the edge of the box was well saved by Clonmany keeper Liam McGonagle.

Greencastle had the first chance of the second half when a Joe Doherty free was saved by Liam McGonagle. Andrew Peoples for Greencastle then had a shot go into the side netting after a Kevin McLaughlin free kick.

Conor Gillen then shot just wide of the post after a cross from Kevin McLaughlin. Midway through the half, Clonmany’s Dessie Doherty played in Conor Doherty who shot just wide of the right-hand post.

At the other end, Ronan Doherty broke Into the box but was challenged and the ball went for a corner. From the Joe Doherty corner, Shaun Cavanagh headed just wide. Greencastle then had two long-range efforts from Andrew Peoples and Daniel Rowan go just wide.

As Greencastle continued to press a Daniel Rowan free went just over the bar and then on a quick break, Devlin shot just over the bar from the edge of the box.

Clonmany sealed the points deep into injury time when sub-Killian McCarron broke free with Greencastle throwing men forward and clinically finished to the bottom left corner from the edge of the box.

Aileach Youths 0

Moville Res 4

Played in very windy conditions, Moville with the wind dominated the early exchanges without creating too much.

On thirty minutes, Moville took the lead when Colin Doherty slipped the ball into the path of Pauric Skelly who controlled and fired into the bottom corner past Fox in the home goal.

Five minutes before half time they doubled their lead when Graham Doherty fired a free kick from 25 yards into the top corner past Fox. Aileach started the second half a bit brighter and had a good opening when Aaron Doherty controlled the ball at the edge of the box but fired wide.

Moville came close at the other end when Shane Canning found Pearse Doherty but he dragged his shot across the goal and past the far post.

On the hour, Aileach came close again when Ryan Wilson found space in the area and his shot was well saved by Ryan Coyle in the Moville goal.

From the resulting corner, Benny Hegarty had a good shot from twenty yards that Coyle held impressively.

With Aileach pressing to get back into the game, they were always vulnerable on the break and from one such break, Colin Doherty found space in the box and fired goalwards where Fox made a great save to tip his shot onto the bar.

With ten minutes to go Wilson came close again for Aileach before Moville wrapped the game up when Pauric Skelly set up Colin Doherty who shot found the corner despite Fox getting a hand on it.

In the final minute, Doherty found James Gillen who volleyed from twenty yards into the top corner to wrap up the scoring.

Redcastle Res 6

QPS Res 4

In a high scoring local derby, this turned into a personal triumph for Ronan Hoy who bagged five goals.

But it was the visitors who took the lead when Joe Johnstone ran onto a ball over the top to slot low to the corner.

Good work by Brendan Murphy then set up Hoy to equalize before Hoy fired his team ahead when he got on the end of a Shane McCauley cross to steer the ball home. But the point leveled when Marc Wallace slipped the ball through for Johnstone to fire home his second. Redcastle regained the lead on the half-hour when Darren Harkin advanced and squared the ball for Hoy to complete his hat trick. Hoy then went on a solo run past two defenders and into the area to drill home his fourth of the game.

But five minutes after the break the visitors got a goal back when Wallace fired home from twenty yards.

A superb Darren Harkin strike then made it five three before Johnstone set up Wallace and he calmly fired home to leave it five four.

The home side sealed the points when a defensive error allowed Hoy to claim his fifth of the game.

Fourteen of Donegal’s brightest young entrepreneurs will be working on fine-tuning their business plans and rehearsing their pitches as they get set for the finals of the local stage of Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur (IBYE) next month.

The Donegal competition had 56 entries this year and, having come through the initial selection process on the basis of the potential demonstrated in their ideas and businesses, the local finalists were in Gartan last week for an intensive three-day business bootcamp.

The Donegal finalists in this year’s Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur competition pictured at Gartan recently with mentor Thomas Cullen and with Local Enterprise Office staff Michael Tunney, Head of Enterprise, Brenda Hegarty, Assistant Head of Enterprise; Eve Anne McCarron Business Advisor and Grace Korbel, Assistant Business Advisor.

The 14 finalists come from across the county and have a diverse range of business ideas. They are:
Lorraine Gallagher – Carrigart
Rakesh Kumar -Donegal Town
Hithesh Shaji – Stranorlar
Paul McLaughlin – Carndonagh
Peter Reynolds – Letterkenny
Kealan McLaughlin – Letterkenny
Laura Bonner – Moville
Aidan Friel – Kerrykeel
Philip Graham – Letterkenny
Martin O’Reilly – Ballybofey
Barry Walsh – Ballyliffin
Fiona Murphy – Letterkenny
Siobhan Boyle – Letterkenny
Catriona McGinley – Kilcar

The finalists will compete now in the Donegal finals on 2nd May, not just for a share of the €50,000 prize fund in Donegal, but also to compete at the Regional Finals to be held in Leitrim in June.

Head of Enterprise in Donegal, Michael Tunney, says IBYE has been hugely popular among the county’s brightest young entrepreneurs over the past few years.

“We have found over the years that participants were delighted with the training and assistance they had received from being part of the competition. Indeed, many said they felt like winners irrespective of who actually took the various titles,” Mr Tunney said.

According to Mr. Tunney the business bootcamp will have helped this year’s finalists fine tune their business plans, learn new enterprise skills and avail of the highest quality one to one mentoring and business coaching.

“The feedback year on year from businesses who have taken part in IBYE, has been that the training and advice they received has been invaluable and has helped them immensely with their business goals and ambitions.

“All 14 of this year’s finalists demonstrated great energy and commitment over the weekend. The insight and learning they will have picked up at the bootcamp will help them immensely on their journey as entrepreneurs beyond the competition,” Mr Tunney said.

The finalists will undergo more intensive mentoring over the coming weeks ahead of a presentation of their businesses to a judging panel.

The winners will then be announced at a special ceremony in Letterkenny on May 2nd.

Local Enterprise Office Donegal is supported through co-funding from the Irish Government and the European Regional Development Fund 2014 – 2020.

For information about the supports and services on offer from Local Enterprise Office, Donegal call 07491 60735

Finn Harps’ Colm Deasy has been slapped with a four-game suspension following his sending off against Derry City.

Deasy was red carded in the first half of the 3-2 defeat for a tackle on Ciaran Coll, the former Harps captain.

Coll was stretchered off after a period of treatment, but the St Johnston man returned to play in Derry’s 2-0 win over UCD on Friday night.

Deasy sat out Harps’ 1-0 loss against Bohemians in Ballybofey.

Deasy will now miss the games against Dundalk, St Patrick’s Athletic, Sligo Rovers and Cork City after being hit with an additional four-game ban.

Derry’s Jamie McDonagh, sent off after being given a second yellow card in the Finn Park tunnel, has been given a two-game ban, while Derry assistant manager Kevin Deery will have to serve a one-game touchline suspension.

Cranford AC had a great evening last Tuesday to celebrate our success at the National Cross Country and Indoor Championship.

The club had a great turnout for their cavalcade leaving Kilmacrennan through Milford, Cranford, Carrigart, Creeslough ending up in Downings at the Beach Hotel.

Training will start back in Downings on Tuesday evening the 23rd of April.

New members welcome.

A man charged with the murder of a young Donegal woman has been sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court.

Richard Burke appeared at Letterkenny District Court today where he was served with a book of evidence.

Burke, from Forest Park in Killygordon, is charged in connection with the murder of his partner Jasmine McMonagle in Killygordon in January.

Detective Sgt Michael Galvin told the court that he served a book of evidence on the 27 year old accused earlier today.

Garda Sgt Gerard Dalton said the Director of Public Prosecutions has consented to send the accused forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court on April 29th next.

Barrister Gareth McGrory asked for a second counsel to be appointed and also to allow for a psychiatric report to be carried out on the accused.

Burke, dressed in blue jeans and a wine-coloured shirt, nodded during the brief court appearance but did not speak.

The case was adjourned until April 29th to the Central Criminal Court.

The late Jasmine McMonagle.

A one million euro fund has been announced to create a network of Enterprise Hubs and Digital Spaces from Co Donegal to Co Kerry.

The fund is part of a new strategy to invest in tech, connect digital working hubs, and promote the quality of life in the Atlantic Economic Corridor (AEC) on the West Coast of Ireland.

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Seán Canney TD, has announced the €1 million funding today, which is intended to link economic hubs and catchments of the region.

Speaking at the launch of the Western Development Commission’s (WDC) new five year Strategic Plan ‘Work Smarter, Live Better’ in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, Minister Canney said:

“Through Project Ireland 2040, the Government has set out targets for regional population and jobs growth to ensure that our national development is more evenly balanced throughout the country.

“The €1 million in funding which I am announcing today for a network of enterprise hubs and digital working spaces along the Atlantic Economic Corridor will help to drive economic development and contribute to our regional development goals.  The initiative will help to attract more people and more investment to the western part of Ireland, which is a vibrant area of innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as being a great place to live.”

The €1 million in funding for the Hub Network is in addition to additional funding of €500,000 received by the Western Development Commission to enhance their capacity to support innovative and strategic regional development initiatives in the West.

The competition last weekend was an Open Stableford sponsored by the Cottage Bar Buncrana and with the cold windy conditions over the two days scoring was never going to be easy.

However, the evergreen and ever consistent Joe Mc Cauley managed to master the conditions to shoot 37 pts and take the first prize on a break of a tie from another ever consistent player Paul Eccles.

By virtue of winning and finishing second, both Joe and Paul have secured their places into the ever popular Cottage Bar Outing which will take place in Strabane Golf Club on Sunday 5^th May.

Full Results of the Cottage Bar Open Stableford are as follows; 1^st Joe Mc Cauley (15) 37 pts b.o.t., 2^nd Paul Eccles (16) 37 pts, Gross Stephen Mc Hugh (3) 72 gross, 3^rd Patrick Fletcher (19) 35 pts b.o.t. Best Day Liam Lynch Jnr (19) 33 pts b.o.t. and Back 9 Brian Bradley (13) 18 pts b.o.t.

Competition

The competition this weekend Saturday 20^th, Sunday 21^st and Monday 22^nd April will be the Pat Cassidy Memorial Open Stableford which is sponsored by Mrs. Ethna Cassidy. There promises to be a good turnout for Pat’s Memorial as Pat was a well respected member of the club and community and always had a passionate interest in the wee links.

Find the Joker Fundraising

The “Find the Joker” is up and running again with a Jackpot of €450.00, lines only cost €2 each and this draw is open to members and non-members alike. Lines can be purchased in the clubhouse or through chief seller Oliver Doherty.

Callaghan Jeweller’s Golfer of The Year

The much sought after Golfer of The Year title which is sponsored by Callaghan’s Jewellers Buncrana will commence Saturday 4^th May.

The format this year will be two categories, gross golfer of the year and nett golfer of the year. There will be 15 competitions with a players 10 best scores to count with points being awarded for the top 10 finishers in each competition and a player can only won the one category.

Membership Deals

There are great membership deals available at present i.e. golf until March 1^st 2020 – Men €350.00, Ladies €232, complete beginners male €260.00 and Lady €190.00 all rates inclusive of G.U.I. and Insurance fees.

A reminder to all members paying by instalments all membership fees have to be paid in full on or before 1^st May 2019 failure to comply will result in your membership being terminated.

Michael O’Connor says that local Councils should be providing more assistance to League of Ireland soccer clubs.

The former Athlone Town player and manager was in Letterkenny at the weekend as manager of Athlone’s side for the Under-17 Women’s National League win over Donegal.

O’Connor has seen some troubled times at Athlone in recent years and he has urged Finn Harps to prioritise facilities over League points.

“Do Finn Harps bankrupt themselves to stay in the Division or do they put in a facility?” O’Connor said in an interview with Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.

“My belief is they need to put in a facility to cater for all of their teams. We found that the right way in Athlone.

“We did it on our own and got no help. Councils should get involved and help. I think the Councils should invest into their communities and give their young people a platform. If they’re doing it in Dublin with Dalymount, they can do it elsewhere.”

It’s 24 years now since O’Connor, then the player-manager, scored the winning penalty for Athlone against Finn Harps in a play-off at St Mel’s Park.

He believes it will be ‘impossible’ for clubs like Athlone and Harps to break the stranglehold of Dundalk and Cork City.

Having had a couple of terms as Athlone’s manager in the League of Ireland, O’Connor is now managing the U17 women’s team – and says the new U17 Women’s National League has been a real success.

He said: “The notion of girls playing at an elite level is a great idea. The level of girls coming through is good. It’s in its infancy, but the more girls that get involved, the better. They deserve the opportunity.”

Listen to the full interview below …

Full results from another busy week of competition at the Dunfanaghy Golf Club below including the thrilling Gents Open Single Stableford. 

Gents Open Single Stableford
Saturday 13th April 2019

1st   Jim Walsh (19)                                  32 pts
2nd Willie Caithness (24)                       31 pts BOT
Gross: Paul Saunders (10) B/bofey       21 pts
3rd Liam Rodgers (28) L/Kenny            30 pts BOT

Front Nine: Liam Hanrahan                  17 pts
Back Nine:  Ian Ireland                           15 pts BOT

CSS: 34 pts

Gents Open Single Stableford
Wednesday 10th April 2019

1st   Josie Langan (18)                       41 pts
2nd Neil McGinley (12)                     39 pts
Gross: Donal Boyle (1)                      36 pts
3rd  Seamus McCauley (10)             38 pts BOT

CSS: 38 pts

Martin O’Reilly has become the latest one of 2012 All-Ireland medallists to step away from the Donegal panel.

O’Reilly has been a part of the Donegal squad since first being called up by Jim McGuinness in late 2011.

The Sean MacCumhaills man has become frustrated at limited game time and has called time on his inter-county career.

O’Reilly was part of the Donegal squad in 2012 when they won All-Ireland and Ulster finals.

He was back to the All-Ireland final in 2014, when Donegal lost to Kerry, and was in the winners’ enclosure last summer when Donegal overcame Fermanagh in the Ulster final.

It is understood that St Eunan’s defender Conor Morrison has also pulled out of the panel in recent weeks, while Odhrán Mac Niallais has confirmed that he won’t be a part of the squad for the Championship.

2012 All-Ireland winners Mark McHugh and Anthony Thompson did not return for the county this winter, while Martin McElhinney recently withdrew.

Marty O’Reilly (MacCumhaill’s) keeps possession despite the challenge. Pic – Joe Boland NorthWest Newspix)

Donegal’s Inishowen peninsula was part of Fáilte Ireland programme of events unveiling for this year’s ‘May the 4th Be With You’ festival on the Wild Atlantic Way. 

Celebrating May the 4th, the day when fans across the globe commemorate the Star Wars Universe, the festival includes a Star Wars themed 3km Fun Run, Yoda Yoga on the beach and outdoor drive-in movie screenings, all set against the breath-taking backdrop of the northern headlands.

Speaking about the announcement of the programme, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross said: “The ‘May the 4th Be With You’ festival was designed to attract visitors to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, not only over the May the 4th weekend but throughout the year and the addition of Donegal as a location for this year’s festival will certainly highlight all that the North West region has to offer visitors.”

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin said: “I’m delighted to see an amazing programme of activity in Donegal for this year’s ‘May the 4th Be With You’ festival.

“Following the success of the inaugural ‘May the 4th Be With You’ festival in Kerry in May 2018, Fáilte Ireland has worked with local communities across the Inishowen Peninsula to extend the festival to Donegal this year.

“As fans across the world celebrate May the 4th, the festival is a brilliant opportunity to promote Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way to a global audience.”

Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh said: “The decision by the makers of Star Wars to choose Donegal, and Malin Head in particular, was inspired.

“The image that the film created was second to none and now the Government is in a position to throw its weight behind a brilliant festival which will be coming to Donegal for the first time.

“This is a great opportunity for fans to be on the site of some of the most stunning scenes in the movie and to sample the best of what the Wild Atlantic Way has to offer.”

Speaking about the festival programme, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Festivals and Events, Ciara Sugrue said: “We’re delighted to bring the ‘May the 4th Be With You’ festival to Donegal this year and we have a fantastic line up of events which not only celebrate the Star Wars Universe but the history and natural landscape of the Wild Atlantic Way.

“From boat tours exploring the coast to star gazing at the Planetarium and I’d like to thank the local tourism industry in Donegal who have worked very hard to build this year’s festival.”

Heidi Doherty, Programme Manager at Inishowen Tourist Office, added: “The ‘May the 4th Be With You’ festival is a wonderful way to celebrate the Star Wars filming location at Malin Head and it promises to be an action-packed weekend.

“Today we not only announced the programme of activity, we officially cut the ribbon on the newly renamed “R2D2”, formerly the R242.

“We are delighted to be the other bookend film location to celebrate the May the 4th Be with You Festival with County Kerry – it’s an exciting time for tourism in Inishowen and we welcome this opportunity to work in collaboration with the Fáilte Ireland.”

Filming for recent Star Wars films took place in locations across Kerry, Cork, Clare and Donegal.

Following the success of Fáilte Ireland’s first ‘May the 4th Be With You’ festival in Kerry in May 2018, the festival will also take place in Malin Head, Donegal this year.

Photos: Clive Wasson

Funding has been secured to run a public bus service from Muff to Buncrana on two days a week.

Inishowen Sinn Féin Councillor Jack Murray has welcomed confirmation of the new route from Local Link, who will run the service on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The matter was progressed in recent months after Cllr Murray hosted a public meeting in the village with Local Link.

Commenting on the news, Cllr Murray said; “I am delighted that Local Link has secured funding for a much needed public bus service from Muff to Buncrana.

“The service will run three times a day on Tuesdays and Fridays and will run at times which are convenient for those who need to have their bloods done in Buncrana, go shopping in the town and for school kids to come home after extra-curricular activities.

“Local Link deserve a huge amount of credit for coming to our public meeting, listening to the views of our community and then acting decisively to have our concerns addressed.

“It’s expected that the bus service will commence in June and I would encourage as many people as possible to avail of the service.”

Cllr Murray’s party colleague and local election candidate, Terry Crossan, also welcomed the news saying;

“I want to commend Cllr Murray for calling the public meeting on this issue and all those people from Muff who attended and put forward a case for this bus service.

“This is an issue which I have worked closely with Jack on, and one which I hope will be of huge benefit to our community.

“I understand that the service can be further expanded to run more often should there prove to be a demand so I would encourage everyone to use it as much as possible.

“I’ve no doubt that this service will be welcomed by the wider community but particular by older people, those who frequent the doctors in Buncrana and secondary school students who stay back after school for sports and extra studies.”

Two Donegal women are continuing the county’s lucky run on Winning Streak after taking home a combined haul of €93,000 last Saturday.

And another Donegal resident is on her way to the RTE studios on 27th April!

Mary Doran, from Woodthorpe in Newtowncunningham, was chosen for the next show in an unprecedented lucky streak for the county.

Sarah McCarron from Clonmany, Co. Donegal bagged herself a cool €48,000 including a holiday to Madeira in Portugal worth €3,000 in the most recent episode of the gameshow.

St Johnston woman, Kathleen Coyle won €45,000 when her niece’s husband, Christopher Boyce, played in her place.

And Chris Gillespie, a chef from Co. Antrim who bought his ticket in Carrick in Donegal, cooked up a storm as he won a hefty €50,000 in cash, as well as a holiday to Oslo in Norway, worth €3,000.

Sarah McCarron last week said that the great news of getting on Winning Streak had the whole town of Clonmany buzzing. She admitted to being overwhelmed by the good wishes of all her friends and neighbours over the past week and says her phone hasn’t stopped ringing since.

Sarah McCarron from Clonmany, Co. Donegal has won €48,000 including a holiday to Madeira on last Saturday’s (13th April 2019) Winning Streak Game Show on RTE. The winning ticket was bought from Centra, The Cross, Clonmany, Co. Donegal. Pic: Mac Innes Photography.

She is very well known in the area as she works in the local pharmacy and says that Clonmany is a close knit town.

Sarah has been married to Terence for the past 24 years and they have three children: Ciaran (21), Sean (17) and Clare (19) who were all excited ahead of their mum’s Winning Streak appearance last Saturday night, along with Sarah’s parents Paddy and Rose and Sarah’s sister Anne.

Her two brothers, Michael and Don McGonagle, who run the Ballyliffin Hotel in Donegal – which they took over from their father Paddy – weren’t able to make it but watched the show, along with a crowd of locals at the hotel.

It was her son Ciaran who Sarah had to thank for her Winning Streak luck, as he bought her a couple of Winning Streak scratch cards for Mother’s Day card a couple of Sundays ago. These gifts ended up getting her on Europe’s second longest-running TV game show.

Sarah said she has no plans as of yet for any winnings from the show as she was just focussed on the day out and absorbing the Winning Streak experience with her loved ones. She will now take her time to decide how to spend her cash.

Kathleen Coyle from St. Johnston, Co. Donegal has won €48,000 including a car on last Saturday’s (13th April 2019) Winning Streak Game Show on RTE. The winning ticket was bought from Crana Superstores, Cockhill, Co. Road, Buncrana, Co. Donegal. Pic: Mac Innes Photography

Kathleen Coyle from St Johnston, Co Donegal had just returned from mass last Saturday evening, which caused her to miss most of the Winning Streak show, when her phone started ringing with her niece telling her she had been pulled out of the Winning Streak drum.

She quickly switched on the television while her phone was hopping and she watched the last few minutes of the show, refusing to believe the good news until she saw her name after the end credits of the programme.

Kathleen then set about selecting who would play in her place. She is very close to her niece Annette, who lives in Strabane, Co. Tyrone, and both decided that Annette’s husband Christopher Boyce would take on the role. Christopher is more than happy to do this for his wife’s aunt and certainly did her proud, winning her €45,000 in cash.

Christopher states that he has now scored himself some serious brownie points with Kathleen by winning her a good haul from the show.

Chris Gillespie from Belfast Co. Antrim has won €53,000 including a holiday to Oslo on last Saturday’s (13th April 2019) Winning Streak Game Show Pic: Mac Innes Photography

Belfast chef, Chris Gillespie, had bought his lucky ticket during a work night out back in January. He was working in An Cistin restaurant in Glencolumbkille at the time – a place where he does seasonal work but has since gone back to live and work in Belfast.

Chris brought his family and fans from all over Ireland to RTE this weekend to cheer him on to spin the wheel. Friends and relatives came from counties Cork, Meath, Wexford, Donegal and of course, Antrim.

As well as being a soccer fan, Chris is also a member of Fortwilliam Golf Club in Donegal and he tries to get a round in when he is back in Donegal, where a lot of his relatives still live.

Winning Streak will take a break for Easter Weekend, but Donegal viewers will be tuning in again on Saturday 27th April to see Mary Doran play for huge cash sums, holidays and cars!