Donegal manager Declan Bonner says the substitutes could hold the key to unlocking the gates to an Ulster final place tomorrow.

Last year, Tyrone’s bench proved the difference when they came from behind to beat Donegal in Ballybofey in the Super 8s.

While Donegal have shed a lot of players from their group since that game in August, Bonner insists that he’s content with the quality and depth of his squad.

“Last year’s match won’t have a bearing, but both benches can have a massive impact,” Bonner told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.

“We’re quite happy where we are in terms of strength in depth. That last quarter, and guys coming off the bench, is where the game can be won and lost. It’ll take a squad effort to get over the line.”

The return of Patrick McBrearty has given Donegal a major shot in the arm, while Bonner, again, will look to the likes of Michael Murphy, Paddy McGrath, Neil McGee and Frank McGlynn.

He said: “Those experienced players are invaluable. They lead on the training ground and it’s so important to have them around. They’re so professional in everything they do.

“It’s time, too, for the young boys to stand up and I have no doubt they will. They have the battling qualities that are required.  These are the games that you want to be tested in.

Listen to the full interview below …

Engaging discussions took place in Letterkenny this week to plan how local businesses can increase their use and promotion of the Irish language.

Letterkenny is set to gain new investment to develop and deliver an Irish Language Plan as a Gaeltacht Services Town over the next seven years. The plan aims to get the entire community involved to encourage a positive approach to Irish in everyday life.

Líonra Leitir Ceanainn, the body appointed to draft the language plan, held an open event on Wednesday 5th June to gather input from local businesses.

L-R: Meabh Connaghan, Evelyn Mc Glynn, Alannah Mc Ghee, Róise Ní Laifeartaigh, Toni Forrester, Bairbre Uí Chathail, Ursula Ní Shabhaois and Cathal Mac Grianna at the Business and the Letterkenny Language Plan meeting hosted by Líonra Leitir Ceanainn on Wednesday 5th June

Meeting facilitator Ursula Ní Shabhaois from Cinnteacht presented statistics showing how Irish language makes a positive impact on the economy and is a valued skill among staff. She highlighted how Irish language use in customer service and on written signs, packaging and media can give a business an added interest and edge, both with local customers and with international clients.

The meeting heard from Alannah McGhee, a Letterkenny-based entrepreneur who co-founded the Beanantees clothing company. The growing business adds modern Irish slogans to t-shirts, jumpers and accessories. Using Irish as a unique selling point, the Beanantees brand is growing in popularity among the diaspora worldwide.

Evelyn Mc Glynn, Donegal Women in Business Network and Alannah McGhee, Beanantees, at the Business and the Letterkenny Language Plan meeting hosted by Líonra Leitir Ceanainn on Wednesday 5th June

Small and simple approaches were shared as examples of how to influence positive habits towards Irish.

Some ideas raised for the business section of Letterkenny’s Irish Language Plan included encouraging Irish-speaking staff to wear a Fáinne badge and placing signs in businesses to say that services can be provided as Gaeilge.

Meeting attendees explored ideas to possibly appoint Irish language champions in the community and to work towards an awards ceremony recognising businesses who use Irish.

Ursula Ní Shabhaois, Cinnteacht and Bairbre Uí Chathail, Lionra Leitir Ceanainn, at the Business and the Letterkenny Language Plan meeting hosted by Líonra Leitir Ceanainn on Wednesday 5th June

Making everyday Irish visible and accessible to everyone was suggested as an important goal. Optional Irish training for business staff and more Ciorcal Comhrá conversation groups around town were also discussed.

The Language Plan, when approved, will provide funding to employ an Irish Language Development Officer in Letterkenny to oversee the project and support businesses in addition to other projects.

The meeting highlighted the many resources already available to businesses who want to enhance the presence of the language. These include bilingual posters and signage, dictionary books and the Scéim Tacaíochta Gnó by Foras na Gaeilge, which part-funds signage, packaging, websites and printed marketing material that promote Irish.

Some attendees at the meeting suggested that the plan should make funding applications as easy and straightforward as possible to encourage more businesses to come on board.

Toni Forrester, Letterkenny Chamber and Meabh Conaghan, Enterprise Ireland, at the Business and the Letterkenny Language Plan meeting hosted by Líonra Leitir Ceanainn on Wednesday 5th June

Cathal Mac Grianna and Tomás Ó’Brógáin at the Business and the Letterkenny Language Plan meeting hosted by Líonra Leitir Ceanainn on Wednesday 5th June

Líonra Leitir Ceanainn Chairperson Bairbre Uí Chathail said Wednesday’s meeting was a positive step towards developing a plan which caters to the needs of the community.

Ms Uí Cathail said: “There are lots of possibilities with what you can do with Irish and there is a lot of energy today. Businesses see that Irish brings great value, brings something different and shows creativity.”

Líonra Leitir Ceanainn

Ms Uí Cathail added that “the time is now” to harness positive attitudes towards Irish. She encouraged local business owners to contact the Líonra to find out how they can contribute to the plan or to start promoting more Irish usage today.

She said: “I think there is a real uplift in terms of people’s attitude to the Irish language. We are hitting this at the right time. We would encourage businesses to get involved, see the potential that is there and to get in touch with us and avail of the opportunities and support that is there from Foras na Gaeilge. We will do everything we can to help them make Irish a part of their daily life.”

Further events will be held this summer to gather public insights for the Letterkenny Irish Language Plan.

Visit https://www.lionraleitirceanainn.ie/ to find out more about the Letterkenny Irish Language Plan.

For more information or to contribute ideas, contact Ursula Ní Shabhaois, Cinnteacht by email ursula@cinnteacht.ie

A Donegal businessman was forced to sit in vomit for more than 10 hours as he flew on a flight from London to Seattle.

Dave Gildea, Vice President for well-known Letterkenny-based company CloudRanger, shared a photo of his destroyed footrest on May 22 and shared that his horrible experience occurred the day before.

David posted on twitter how disgusted he felt after coming across the situation.

He said “This was my seat from London to Seattle yesterday, covered in dried in vomit, no offer to move seats, just insinuation from the attendant that I had done it even though it was dried in for days.”

The 38-year-old had upgraded his seat while at London Heathrow and was assigned the seat.

‘I didn’t notice anything until about two hours into the British Airways flight when I popped down the foot stool so I could get some sleep and saw the vomit on the seat,’ he explained.

The sick on the plane seat. Pic by CloudRanger twitter.

Gildea was annoyed the cabin crew insinuated that the throw up came from him.

‘He didn’t offer a seat change or an apology, so I asked for a blanket to cover it up so I could put my feet down,’ the BA Silver Member explained.

‘Of course as I slept, I moved around on the blanket so I woke up with dried vomit on my feet. It was pretty disgusting. With the price I paid for the ticket, I was shocked.’

Gildea was disappointed that it took the airline more than two weeks to respond to his issue.

‘I tend to travel a lot – this was a very poor experience and the handling of the experience at the time and since then has been where the problem is,’ Gildea asserted. ‘It’s frustrating how they can take your money in a second for a ticket, but when it is a problem it takes weeks.’

British Airways released a statement apologising for ‘falling short’ of expectations.

‘We pride ourselves on delivering a high standard of service and an enjoyable experience on board our flights, and we are sorry that on this occasion this fell short of our customers’ expectations, they said in a statement.

‘We are investigating and are in contact with the customer to apologise and resolve this matter.’

NUIG Student Christopher McBrearty from Killybegs has won this year’s Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award for creating an early prostate cancer detection technology.

McBrearty, who is a Biomedical Science MSc student, was awarded €10,000 today from Enterprise Ireland to develop his company, called NanoDetetect.

NanoDetect can provide an advanced PSA screening technology to GPs and hospitals that will improve detection rates of prostate cancer.

NUIG Student Christopher McBrearty of NanoDetect is pictured here with his mother Ann McBrearty and father Eugene McBrearty.
Picture Clare Keogh

“Our core goal is to reduce patient waiting time with quick test results and to help educate and raise awareness around prostate cancer,” McBrearty said.

“Our future goal is to be the breast check equivalent for men and to eventually bring our technology into other routine screen procedures for disease types.”

McBearty was one of 10 Finalists at the Student Entrepreneur Awards, which took place at Cork Institute of Technology (CIT).  He will also receive mentoring from Enterprise Ireland to develop the commercial viability of the concept.

NanoDetect founder Christopher McBrearty from Killybegs at the Enterprise Ireland’s Student Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Picture Clare Keogh

This is the 38^th year of Enterprise Ireland’s Student Entrepreneur Awards, which are co-sponsored by Cruickshank Intellectual Property Attorneys, Grant Thornton and the Local Enterprise Offices and are open to all third level colleges across the country.

Along with the prize money the winners will also share in a €30,000 consultancy fund that will enable them to turn their ideas into a commercial reality.

Job Vacancies: Local Link Donegal Sligo Leitrim are currently hiring for three vacancies at their Killybegs base. 

Management are seeking applicants for the roles of Qualified Accountant (preferable CIMA or ACCA) and two Receptionists – Dispatchers.

See below for job details for each role and application information: 

Position: Receptionist – Dispatch x 2

Location – Killybegs

These positions will have dual roles shared between a Transport Dispatcher and Front Office Receptionist.

Under general supervision, the transport dispatcher schedules and dispatches a range of transport services in accordance with needs identified, available resources and in line with standard operating procedures. He/she is also responsible for the inputting, maintenance and submission of the required monitoring on the reporting systems.

Under general supervision, the Front Office Receptionist has a duty to ensure the first encounter of people accessing Local Link, either in person, by telephone or social media, has a professional, friendly and a competent experience.

Duties and responsibilities

• Promptly and professionally responds to passenger service requests and, subsequently, schedules transport services to meet the needs of passengers and partner organisations to assure timely and efficient services in line with company policies and procedures
• Answer customer service telephone, provide general information to current and potential passengers (timetables, public transport service timetables) and determine specific service needs in relation to accessibility and location. Research addresses and verify pick-up and destination information
• Enter passenger information on ITMS Monitor, review, update and maintain the data base regularly or as required and comply with GDPR
• Use a computerised scheduling and Mapping system to input passenger and service information, to plot and design services based on passenger requirements and to make transit service bookings
• Assist the Management Team with preparation of schedules and passenger information for service providers/drivers based on the strategic planning of service provision and on passenger requests
• Communicate with transport providers/drivers and Day Centres to discuss passenger logs, passenger requests and scheduling issues. Act as a resource for drivers to discuss safety and other issues arising on a daily basis or as required
• Troubleshoot problems encountered while providing service and take steps to remedy identified problems and coordinate with management team on problem resolution
• Be responsible for the inputting of required information to the Integrated Transport Management System (ITMS) and other reporting systems and assist in compiling and submitting completed and accurate monitoring data to the Management Team on a monthly basis
• Update Social media pages on route information and promotions when requested.
• Maintain incoming and outgoing registers including post, visitors and staff.
• Manage main phone switch.
• Manage and maintain housekeeping records and supplies.

Skills and personal qualities

• Knowledge of reading and interpreting maps and scheduling effective routing and journey planning on a computerised system
• Skilled in record management
• Ability to be courteous and respectful and discrete in providing customer services
• Ability to utilise standardised IT packages along and programme related systems with a working knowledge Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and the public
• Experience of working with community and voluntary organisations
• Previous experience in a busy working office is desirable.
• Be positive in disposition and work as part of a team.
• Be flexible and adaptable
• Be open to training and upskilling.

The salary will commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Working week – 37.5 hours (9am – 5pm Mon – Fri, Half hour lunch break)

Please forward a cover letter and your CV by email only to:

SITT1hr@gmail.com No later than 12 noon Friday 21st June 2019.

Shortlisting may apply.

Canvassing will not be tolerated and will disqualify potential candidates.

Position: Qualified Accountant preferable CIMA or ACCA

Location: Killybegs, Co. Donegal.

The main responsibility of the post is the maintenance of financial records, the processing of income and expenditure and the undertaking of a range of financial reporting and administrative tasks. The post operates in a team environment and successful candidate will be expected to work in a collaborative manner with co-staff and management. From time to time the post requires an element of working unsocial hours and travel. This role will report to management.

Duties and responsibilities

• Administer accounts receivable and accounts payable
• Process sales invoices
• Administer day to day finances
• Prepare monthly accounting reconciliations and reports to deadlines
• Administer credit control/debt collection
• Administer payment of bills, invoices and staff expense claims
• Maintain records of invoices and receipts
• Prepare monthly reports for funders
• Ensure financial controls are adhered to
• Assist in preparation of year end audit
• With management, improve financial controls within the organisation
• Assist with procurement and risk management process
• Ensure compliance with good financial governance inline with legalisation
• Undertake and other duties as requested by management

Essential Criteria

• Qualified Accountant preferable CIMA or ACCA
• Minimum 3 yrs. experience in a similar role
• Excellent IT Skills, particularly in Excel, MS Office, Sage and Thesaurus
• Excellent Organisations Skills
• Previous experience in financial control
• Strong knowledge and experience of accounting software packages (Sage)
• Hands-on experience in small/medium organisations desirable.
• An understanding of the Voluntary Sector
• Ultimately, you will ensure all financial transactions are processed accurately and on time.
• Be positive in disposition and work as part of a team
• Be flexible and adaptable
• Be passionate and energetic about the work
• Happy to work for the voluntary non for-profit sector.

This post is part-time (20 hours per week) with a possibility of future full-time employment.

The Salary will commensurate with experience and qualifications

Please forward a cover letter and your CV to:

SITT1hr@gmail.com no later than 12 noon Friday 21st June 2019.

Shortlisting may apply.

Canvassing will not be tolerated and will disqualify potential candidates.

Emergency services are attending the scene of an accident on one of the main routes into Letterkenny this Friday evening.

The collision is believed to have occurred near the Dry Arch Roundabout at Lurgybrack shortly before 7pm.

It is not known if there are any injuries.

DUNFANAGHY ABC puncher Bernie McDonagh has won his third Irish title.

McDonagh is the new Irish Boy 4 52kgs champion after scrapping his way to a fine win over Thomas McDonnell in this evening’s final.

At the National Stadium, McDonagh edged out the Bay City man McDonnell in a cracking finale.

When the sums were totted at the end, McDonagh took a majority 3-2 split decision from the judges.

Last weekend, McDonagh stopped Michael Lawrence in his semi-final with McDonnell powering past Criostoir Browne.

Bernie McDonagh with Donegal Boxing Board President Peter O’Donnell

McDonagh was the only Donegal man to make it through to this weekend’s finals – and it was glory for the Dunfanaghy man.

Previously, McDonagh won an Irish Boy 3 44.5kgs crown last year having been the Boy 1 36kgs champion in 2016.

McDonagh has followed in his father’s footsteps with Martin McDonagh also a former Irish champion for the Dunfanaghy club.

The North West Golf Club Scratch Cup has always been a great trophy to win since its inception back in 1968. 

This year’s event takes place tomorrow and and the timesheet has filled up fast.

Senior scratch 0-5 (36 holes);Junior Scratch 6-11 (36 holes);Intermediate 12-22 (18 holes).

To enter, call the pro shop on (00353) 7493 61715 or by DM the North West Golf Club Facebook page, include Club name, handicap and contact number.

Refreshments provided on the day.

Previous winners include Irish golfing greats such as, Arnold Browne (68), Ian Bamford (69), Joe Carr (70), Roddy Carr (71), Des Smyth (72), Brian Hoey (74) and Ronan Rafferty (78).

Not forgetting the many golfers from North West and other local clubs who have produced worthy champions of this prestigious trophy, like Brendan McCarroll (73 & 75), Frank McCarroll (76), Michael Fitzpatrick (79), John Dickson (80 & 82), Sean Hegarty (81, 86 and 89), Brian McCarroll (84) Brian Patton (85), Gerard McAleese (83), Sean Ewing (88), Enda McMenamin (87), John Callan (93) Brendan Edwards (77), Stuart Paul (94), Paul Hegarty (15), James Lindsay (16) and the current holder of the Scratch Cup, Damien McKenna (17).

Having led by four points at half-time and by six with only eight minutes of normal time remaining Glenswilly were forced to hang on by Cloughaneely this evening.

Glenswilly 1-10 Cloughaneely 0-10  

By Charlie Collins at Pairc Naomh Columba                                                                                 

Cloughaneely scored the game’s final three points in injury-time to set up a nervous finish for the home team.

In fairness Glenswilly deserved this vital win but once again found closing the game out a difficult task.

This was one of those fixtures in the Brian McCormick Sports and Leisure Division One where both teams knew a win would feel more like four points gained rather than the two on offer.

Games like this between teams in the bottom half of the table will ultimately decide which teams survive or are relegated to Division Two.

Martin Maguire gave the visitors an early lead but Glenswilly hit back in the ninth minute with an excellent goal.

Ciaran Bonner grabbed a long ball in from Brian Farrelly and laid it off to the fast moving Caoimhin Marley who drilled it past Sean McClafferty.

Martin Maguire converted another point from long range to reduce the deficit to a point. We then had a run of scores from frees with Ciaran Bonner and Sean McGarvey each converting two to leave it 1-2 to 0-3 for Glenswilly.

McGarvey narrowed the gap to one with another free but excellent scores, all from play, by Joe Gibbons (a super solo effort), Ciaran Bonner and another cracking effort by Caoimhin Marley left Glenswilly 1-5 to 0-4 in front at the break

The home team had the better of the third quarter as well.

Bonner converted another two frees with Oisín Crawford  and Brian Farrelly knocking over two from play.

Sean McGarvey’s free and Martin Maguire’s third from play left six in it with 45 minutes gone.

Sean McGarvey converted another free to narrow the gap to five, but sub Donnacha Gallagher restored the six point lead in the 53rd minute, 1-1 to 0-7.

Glenswilly keeper Gerard McGrenra just about denied Cloughaneely a goal as we entered injury-time, saving a follow up shot on the goal line after he had blocked the initial shot but failed to hold it.

To their credit Cloughaneely kept pressing and as Glenswilly took some bad options when in possession the visitors added three points from frees , one from Sean Maguire and another two from Sean McGarvey to leave three points between them .

The home side just about did enough to hold on for two league points but need to improve when it comes to closing out games like this with vital points at stake.

On Sunday they travel to take on Milford in Moyle Park in another key game for both teams.

Glenswilly: Gerard McGrenra; Shane McDaid, Eamonn Ward, Paddy Diver; Ruairi Crawford, Mark McAteer, Ryan Diver; Leon Kelly, Caoimhin Marley (1-1); Joe Gibbons (0-1), Ciaran Bonner (0-5, 4f), Oisin Crawford  (0-1); Keelan McFadden, Brian Marley (0-1), Stephen O’Donnell. Subs: Donnacha Gallagher (0-1) for McFadden (43), Patrick Boyle for O Donnell (58).

Cloughaneely: Sean McClafferty; Ciaran McFadden, Kevin Mulhern, Noel Sweeney; Mark Harley, Ciaran McGeady, Neil Kelly; Michael Fitzgerald, Martin Maguire (0-3);  Michael McHugh, Aidan Doogan, Cian McFadden; Cillian Gallagher , Sean McGarvey (0-6f)  Sean Maguire (0-1f). Subs: Sean McBride and Michael Causland for Harley and Cian McFadden (45),  Finn McGinley for Kelly (48).

Referee: Marc Browne (Four Masters)

Damian Murphy of the Raphoe Road Runners was the victor in this evening’s Donoughmore NS 5k.

Murphy finished in 18 minutes and 50.1 seconds.

Convoy AC’s James Donaghy was second in 19:30.1 with Melvin’s Eugene Walsh third (19:32.4).

Raphoe Hockey Club ace Lisa Patterson was the first female home in 22:08.6.

Mark McHugh scored eight points as Kilcar proved too strong for Sean MacCumhaills in Towney.

Kilcar 2-15 Sean MacCumhaills 0-12

Goals in the second half from Daragh O’Donnell and Conor Doherty propelled Kilcar to a nine-point win.

Kilcar led 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time, with McHugh arching over six of the hosts’ scores.

Seven minutes into the new half, O’Donnell rattled the net for Kilcar’s first goal and, from there, there was no way back for MacCumhaills.

Nine minutes from the end, Doherty clipped in a second major for Barry Doherty’s team.

Scorers – Kilcar: Mark McHugh 0-8 (5f), Conor Doherty, Daragh O’Donnell 1-0 each, Mark Sweeney 0-3, Barry McGinley, Andrew McClean, Matthew McClean, Michael Hegarty  0-1 each

Sean MacCumhaills: Darren O’Leary 0-5, 1f, 1 ’45, Martin O’Reilly 0-3, Steven O’Reilly, Luke Gavigan, Padhraic Patton, Aaron Kelly 0-1 each

Ryan McKinley felt the winning of individual battles was key last night as Glenswilly overcame Cloughaneely.

Caoimhin Marley hit the goal as Glenswilly won 1-10 to 0-10 to go two points ahead of their opponents in the table.

“I thought we won most of the battles and were deserving winners,” McKinley told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.

“The goal was a crucial score at a crucial time. We pushed on from that.

“We tended to drop a bit too deep late on. It’s all about seeing out the game and we did that.”

Glenswilly are still shy a number of their influential performers, but they head for fellow relegation battlers Milford on Sunday with the chance to open up a four-point gap.

McKinley said: “The young lads are coming in and doing great and the injured boys aren’t too far away.

“They’re stepping up to the plate and are driving it on. They’re definitely good lads.”

Listen to the full interview below …

This week our fitness guru Emmet Rushe takes a look ahead to Men’s Health Week which is highlighted this coming week. 

It runs from Monday 10^th of June to Sunday 16^th of June and is an important week as it highlights all the things, we as men tend to hide from.

We like to think we are infallible and that the different health scares and things we see and read about could never happen to us.

We have grown up in a society where talking about your feelings is largely frowned upon and is a show of weakness if we do it.

But that isn’t the case.

We are neither infallible or weak, most of the time we are stupid or afraid or some combination of the 2.

So, it’s time to man up and start taking care of our physical and mental health.

If you are in a bad place mentally, talk to someone.

There is only a 50% chance that men who are feeling depressed would talk to someone about it.

We can view this as a sign of weakness and this leaves us in a place where we bottle it up instead of telling someone.

Don’t leave things until they are too late.

Hiding things from your partner or family or friends might be what we tend to do, but it isn’t manly and it sure as hell isn’t smart.

Talk to your partner
Talk to your G.P
Talk to a colleague or friend.

Just talk and don’t try and deal with things on your own.

Ireland has one of the highest obesity rates in the world. 38% of Irish men are obese and it is growing each year.

While being overweight is becoming ‘accepted’ and is being normalised, it is NOT normal and there are worse things that come from being overweight or obese.

1. Heart disease 
2. Stroke
3. High blood pressure
4. Diabetes
5. Some Cancers
6. Gallbladder disease and gallstones
7. Breathing problems, such as asthma and sleep apnea 
8. Osteoarthritis
9. Gout

All of the list above are obesity-related diseases, and while some might not be caused by it directly, if you have a family history of any of these, being overweight makes it more likely that you will be affected.

Gaining weight and getting unhealthy as you grow older is NOT growing old Gracefully.

After the age of 35;

• Your Metabolism will slow down.
• Your testosterone levels will drop
• You will lose muscle mass
• You will find it easier to gain weight

 This, however, is no reason to give up.

Eating healthier and exercising will offset all the above and make a huge difference to your overall health.

Men, you need to look after yourselves right now and even more so, when you pass your 30’s

• Start exercising. 
• Lift weights 
• Reduce alcohol consumption 
• Increase protein and veg in your diet
• Do some cardio
• Drink more water 
• Get more sleep. 
• Get a yearly MOT

All these things will help you to maintain a healthy lifestyle well into middle age.

If you haven’t had a health check ever or haven’t had one in years, stop sitting on your hands and get checked.

It’s a great Irish trait to say ‘ah, it’ll be grand’ and that’s fine until it isn’t.

So, it’s time to Man up and get checked out.

If you’ve found something and are scared to say, tell someone NOW.

If you are a father and have kids, you need to realise that they are great mimics and that they will copy and learn from us and what we do.

If you don’t exercise, have a bad diet and spend most of your day in front of the television, you can’t question why your kids are doing the same.

So, time to pull up the big boy pants and prove you’re a real man.

Stop with the excuses, man up and start being a hero for your wife and kids.

Start exercising, start eating better and let’s use this week to change old habits.

There is a list of contacts in the Men’s Health Forum in Ireland

If you need to talk to someone about a health issue or for anything you might need, you can find all
information through the link above.
#leanin2019

If you need some help, The Rushe Fitness Summer Shape Up 2019 is now open for booking.

If you or the man in your life would like to start your health and fitness journey, we can help.

After the success of the last 2 years, we have brought it back and made it bigger than ever.

You could win one of 2 holidays worth €1500 and get in shape in the process.

Click the link and find out how you could win the holiday of a lifetime: CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP NOW!

We start on June 24th.

Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher says it would be completely unacceptable for any restrictions to be put on Irish vessels fishing in waters around Rockall, an island off the coast of Donegal.

The Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Marine & Fisheries was responding to a threat from the Scottish government that it will take action against Irish vessels fishing within the 12 mile zone around the island.

“This is a most serious escalation in intra country relationships between Ireland and the Scotland must be dealt with immediately by the government here. I note that the declaration was made by the devolved Parliament in Edinburgh only, and at this juncture it appears not to have the backing of the British government”, said Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher.

“Rockall is subject to a claim of ownership by the British government since 1955, but that same claim has never been recognised by any Irish Government nor has the British claim been ever been lodged with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”

He said there are numerous Donegal fishing vessels, from both Killybegs and Greencastle ports, fishing off Rockall and in the immediate waters surrounding the rock.

And he added that these are long standing fishing traditions and patterns, which predate any claim by any other jurisdiction of these jointly fished grounds.

He said “The Irish Government must immediately engage with the UK government in Whitehall in an attempt to restore calm to the volatile situation at intra government level. In the interim, the Minister for Foreign Affairs should also meet with the British Ambassador to voice this country’s concerns about the messaging coming from the Scottish government.

“I personally will be raising these matters with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar when the Dáil resumes next week, but I would expect, as does every Irish person within the state, that between now and then, the rights of the Irish Nation and the rights of our fishermen will be protected by the government of this State.

“The unilateral actions of the Scottish government has set an undesirable tone – especially ahead of anticipated Brexit discussions.

“The Irish government needs to step up and defend Irish interests without further delay, and this declaration by the Scottish Government must be challenged at the highest level.”

Donegal is to host a rare sitting of the High Court at Letterkenny’s new courthouse.

The court was due to sit in Sligo November for two weeks in November.

However, the Courts Service has announced that the second week of the scheduled sittings will take place in Letterkenny.

The High Court will sit in Sligo from November 4th to 8th and in Donegal from the 11th to the 15th.

There are now suggestions that future High Court sittings in the North-West will be held in Letterkenny because of its state-of-the-art €20million courthouse which opened in February, 2018.

An old Inishowen tradition is set to be revived on Sunday (June 9) when the feast of Colm Cille is celebrated by local people when they make the turas to the saint’s well.

Celebrating the feast day of Colmcille at the seashore at Binion on Sunday, the Straid Conservation group will walk to the well in celebration of their hard work in maintaining the ruined church at Straid over the last five years.

The committee preserved the church with the aim of having it for future generations to come.

A score of contributors, including architect Duncan McLaren, contractor John Doherty and archaeologist Richard Crumlish, all ensured the building will remain stable for years to come, with local tourists also able to understand the long history from its earliest days to present times.

The group will gather at Market Square at 2pm on Sunday with a guided walk for one hour (3pm) before the turas and folk tradition affiliated with Colm Cille will be shared at the well.

The Irish saint was born in Gartan, Donegal in 571, and before settling in Scotland in 563, the Donegal man founded several monasteries across the country.

An open celebration for the 1500th of Colm Cille, also known as Columba, will be held with a programme of events already planned by the Donegal County Council.

Seamus Coleman slammed Denmark last night following Ireland’s 1-1 in Copenhagen following negative pre-match in the run-up to the Euro 2020 qualifier. 

Last night’s clash in Parken Stadium was the fifth competitive game in 19 months between Ireland and Denmark and the sides are sick of the sight of each other.

Tottenham ace Christian Eriksen and Thomas Delaney of Borussia Dortmund have both scorned Ireland’s negative tactics in recent times.

Mick McCarthy’s have been accused of being primitive in their approach, scared to attack and were labelled the most ‘annoying’ team in international football.

But Shane Duffy left Denmark cursing the Republic of Ireland once again as he headed home a late equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw and maintain Ireland place at the top of Group D – collecting seven out of nine points so far.

– “Shane Duffy is the man who steps up when needed!”

The @OfficialBHAFC defender scored a crucial, late equaliser as the Republic of Ireland maintained their unbeaten start to Euro 2020 qualifying with a 1-1 draw against Denmark: https://t.co/zHDtx7DQJr pic.twitter.com/7q68453T5J

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) June 7, 2019

McCarthy’s outfit looked to be heading for a first defeat in the competition after substitute Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg had given the Danes the lead four minutes after coming off the bench but Duffy’s 85th-minute bullet header, his third international goal, was enough to claim a point at the Telia Parken Stadium and preserve the unbeaten start Mick McCarthy’s side had made to their Group D campaign.

Speaking after the game, Ireland captain Seamus Coleman had some choice words for their counterparts.

He told Off The Ball: “My blood was boiling.”

“But in press conferences you’ve got to stay professional, there’s no point fuelling any fires.  You never know with these things — have they been said like they’ve been said or what.”

“Definitely it did get a mention beforehand to give you that extra motivation without  a shadow of a doubt,” the Everton defender said. “[One of their players] said you can change your manager but can’t change the players and you’re thinking: ‘Hold on a minute there’.

“But, as I said, I don’t know if that is exactly how it was said or not, so we’ve got to go with what we’ve read.

“I read it and was obviously a bit annoyed by it and made sure to mention it beforehand,” he added.

“We’ve got good players and another thing we have is a great fighting spirit. Look, we’ve done nothing yet. They’re going to come to Dublin and try and put one over on us as well, and we’ve Gibraltar coming up as well, so we’ve done absolutely nothing yet. But it’s a good start.”

There is a book on the shelf of Kee’s Hotel in Stranorlar that is entitled ‘The Way Back.’ Beside it, a book called ‘Eden’.

Eden for Kee’s Hotel began in 1892 when the, then coaching inn, was bought by the Kee’s family and transformed into a hotel with family at its heart.

Four generations later and brother and sister team Vicky and Richard Kee find themselves facing their first Father’s Day celebrations without their ‘friendly, fair and fun’ father, Arthur Kee.

Now entering its fourth generation the way back and the way ahead for the hotel without Arthur is sure to flourish with his lasting legacy as its driving force.

Vicky and Richard

On Father’s Day, Kee’s hotel, regarded as a home away from home by so many will welcome all kinds of dads, who like Arthur, love their food, love their family and love to have a good time.

Reflecting, Vicky and Richard, said: “Dad’s advice was ‘be fair, work hard, be honest, enjoy your work, enjoy your guests and respect everybody.’ There are so few family hotels left in Ireland and it is such a gift for us to be able to continue on the real family hotel.

“For my father, it was all about family and providing a home away from home to his guests.”

Vicky explains: “Since dad’s death there has been time to reflect on his legacy.

“Although his death was so sudden, he had been in failing health over the last year and decided to hand the responsibility of the business to myself and Richard,” she added.

“We have both been working in the hotel for some years and are both fully aware of the love daddy had for the history and reputation of Kee’s. We are meeting the challenge with insight and enthusiasm.”

“To this end we have enlisted the services of HMS UK & Ireland, a management company (known within the hotel, and to dad as Ann and Kathleen) to put the working structures of the business on a more formal basis, to update working practices, and to help implement the many plans dad had for the further development of the hotel he loved so much. “

Vicky continues:  “Dad welcomed Ann and Kathleen’s input and ideas. He enjoyed working with “the ladies” as he affectionately called them.   He was especially excited by hotel development plans and enjoyed taking part in discussions about these.”

“We are determined to make dad proud by ensuring that, regardless of change, the hotel will retain the service, civility, and pride in product synonymous with his unique hotel. We are determined to retain these qualities at a time when they, all too often, seem to be lost.”

Contemplating the first Father’s Day without her dad Vicky gains strength by easily calling to mind her favourite memory of her dad, his ‘big hearty laugh.’

Vicky said: “When I think of dad I think of his big smiley face. He was the only man I knew that laughed at his own jokes first. He absolutely loved his work, every day of it. He adored meeting people from all over the world and yet he was in love with Donegal. He thought there was nowhere to beat Donegal in the whole world.”

An emotional Vicky manages to joke when asked whether her daddy would want her to work on Father’s Day this year, “aww daddy would want me to work, no doubt about it!”

Weather experts say the country could be in for a warm spell next week with temperatures as high as 24C after a grim start to June.

Met Eireann issued two rainfall warnings this week and weather stations saw more rain in one day than during the whole of May.

But things could be on the up as experts say temperatures are set to improve next week – and could hit 21C during the week and even higher at the weekend.

GFS and ECMWF models had hinted at an improving trend and high pressure is now predicted to build from the start of the week.

Met Eireann said: “Monday will be a similar day, and mix of pleasant sunny breaks- but with heavy or even thundery showers again. Winds from the north moderate and temperatures typically in the mid-teens.

“Then Tuesday and Wednesday look like being mainly dry days with variable cloud and sunny spells. Any showers will be isolated and light with most areas staying dry. North or northwest breezes will be fresh generally, and staying on the cool side.”

The Donegal Schoolboys 2005 team are gearing themselves up for a Limerick trip on Monday, June 10 for the 2019 New Balance Kennedy Cup competition.

With South Belfast Youth League taking part this year, the competition, which pits 32 county teams together to fight out for the title, is set to be better than ever.

Under the guidance of coaches Conor Meakin (Milford), Chris Carr (Cranford), Noel Gillespie (Milford), and Chris O’Donnell (Letterkenny) the young squad have enjoyed taking part in highly-regarded tournaments in Sheffield and Barcelona.

The competition gets underway on Tuesday 11th until Saturday 15th June. All the finals will take Saturday (June 15) at the University of Limerick.

Donegal will have six matches in five days, with their first three outings coming against Carlow District on Tuesday (6pm), Sligo / Leitrim League on Wednesday (12:30pm), and Limerick Desmond League (6pm) later the same day.

Full squad: Charlie Byrne (Cappry Rovers); Jack McGlynn (Fintown Harps), Conor McGinty (Cappry Rovers), Adam Campbell (Milford United) Jack Long, (Cappry Rovers) Oisin Duffy (Cappry Rovers); Sean McMenamin (Cappry Rovers), Eoin Kelly (Erne Wanderers); Cian McMenamin, (Kilmacrenan Celtic), Mark McGlynn (Letterkenny Rovers) Aidan Brennan (Keadue Rovers); Rudi Minnock (Letterkenny Rovers) Luke Parke (Letterkenny Rovers) Reid Kelly (Letterkenny Rover) JP McGuinness (St Catherine’s) Shea Malone (Fintown Harps) Max Johnston (Letterkenny Rovers) Zac Darnell (Fintown Harps)