ONLY FOUR YEARS ago, Katy Herron captained Donegal to their first ever Ulster SFC. Now, the Glenfin player has won a fourth in five seasons.

Donegal were dominant this afternoon in Clones against Armagh and ran out winners on a 5-12 to 1-9 scoreline.

“Absolutely delighted,” she said afterwards. “The defence were absolutely superb and I’m over the moon.”

Listen to Kay Herron’s. full interview with Charlie Collins here 

Photograph by NorthWest NewsPix

Existing and new members of the Buncrana Chamber of Commerce have been invited to an opening information evening tomorrow, Monday, July 1. 

The Chamber of Commerce is keen to cooperate with the public and listen to what they would like to see happening over the next several years.

The event will take place at the Lake of Shadows Hotel at 7pm.

A spokesperson for Buncrana Chamber of Commerce said: “Buncrana Chamber of Commerce wants to take every opportunity to positively represent their membership and to ensure that they are getting the best from their local chamber.

“We’d like to invite existing members and potential new members to an open information evening at the Lake of Shadows Hotel on Monday, July 1 at 7pm.”

A blistering start paved the way for Donegal to claim their third successive TG4 Ulster senior title in front of 2,049 spectators in Clones this afternoon.

Donegal 5-12 Armagh 1-9

Donegal got off to the dream start and had 2-2 on the board within three minutes as they left Armagh shell-shocked before going on to deliver an exhibition of football.

Points from Geraldine McLaughlin and Karen Guthrie began the scoring before two goals from Amy Boyle Carr and Niamh McLaughlin – who was back in her county colours for the first time since 2015 following a spell playing soccer in England – got them off to a flying start.

Caroline O’Hanlon momentarily halted the Donegal charge with a much needed Armagh point but Maxi Curran’s side were totally in control and further points from Guthrie and Boyle Carr put them nine clear by the end of the opening quarter.

A sublime pass from Geraldine McLaughlin set up Niamh McLaughlin for their third goal on 16 minutes, and the Moville girl almost had her third moments later but her fisted effort was saved. Armagh looked helpless at stages as Donegal’s movement, speed and link-up play was a treat to watch.

Aimee Mackin struck over a beauty for only her side’s second point after 22 minutes, while frees from Kelly Mallon and O’Hanlon give Armagh some hope before the break, but Donegal were well ahead, 3-5 to 0-4.

Boyle Carr opened the second-half scoring with a point and after Tiarna Grimes fired wide, Blaithin Mackin and Niamh McLaughlin traded points, before Armagh were again denied a goal when Blaithin Mackin saw her effort saved by the boot of Aoife McColgan.

While Armagh missed their chances, at the other end Donegal were taking theirs and they hit 1-3 in a two-minute spell to end any hopes Armagh may have had of getting back into the contest. The goal was a piece of magic from Geraldine McLaughlin after she intercepted an Armagh kickout and sent the ball straight back in over the head of the retreating goalkeeper.

Caroline O’Hanlon found the net at the end of third quarter and Aimee Mackin quickly added a point as Armagh kept plugging away. But yet again Geraldine McLaughlin caught the eye with a stunning finish from a tight angle as the goals continued to flow for Donegal.

Aimee Mackin and O’Hanlon completed Armagh’s scoring while Geraldine McLaughlin brought her tally to 2-4 as Donegal finished with 14 players with a late sin bin for Sinead McGinty. It was impressive from the champions.

Scorers – Donegal: G McLaughlin 2-4 (1f), Niamh McLaughlin 2-2, A Boyle Carr 1-2, K Guthrie 0-4 (3f).

Armagh: C O’Hanlon 1-3 (2f), A Mackin 0-4, K Mallon 0-1 (1f), B Mackin 0-1.

Donegal: A McColgan; T Doherty, E Gallagher, Nicole McLaughlin; N Carr, N Boyle, M Ryan; K Herron, E McGinley; K Guthrie, K Keeney, A Boyle Carr; Niamh McLaughlin, G McLaughlin, S McGroddy.

Subs: AM McGlynn for McGroddy (49), S McLaughlin for Ryan (55), S McGinty for Boyle Carr (58), K McKinney for Boyle (58), A Flanagan for Carr (59).

Armagh: C O’Hare; S Marley, C Morgan, R O’Reilly; C McKenna, C McCambridge, T Grimes; N Coleman, C O’Hanlon; M Moriarty, A McCoy, K Mallon; A Donaldson, B Mackin, A Mackin.

Subs: M Sheridan for O’Reilly (24), N Marley for McKenna (36), N Reel for McCoy (49).

Ref: Y Duffy (Cavan).

Realt na Mara 1-12 Kilcar  3-17

By Noel Carr

Chantelle Grant fired Bonagee United into the quarter-finals of the WFAI Intermediate Cup.

Another 2-4 for Geraldine McLaughlin today as the Termon forward drove Donegal to a fourth provincial crown in five seasons.

McLaughlin was one of only six starters today in the 5-12 to 1-9 win over Armagh that had played from the off against the same team at the same stage of the competition last year.

“They’re unreal,” she said of the new young players on the panel. “They train like they play and right from the start Maxi Curran gave us the belief.”

Listen to Geraldine McLaughlin’s interview with Charlie Collins here

Photograph by NorthWest NewsPix

KEN BLOCK has expressed his sympathy on the passing of Manus Kelly, calling the Glenswilly native and three-time winner of the Donegal International Rally a “legend’.

Ken Block and his mighty wide track Ford Escort Cosworth

Block was competing in Donegal as part of his Cossie World Tour, that saw him drive this iconic rally car in Donegal. He beached his car during Special Stage 3 Dooish on Friday but was still allowed to take part in the latter stages.

However, the rally was cancelled early on Sunday afternoon following a crash that saw 41-year-old Kelly lose his life in Fanad.

Watch Block’s tribute here …

MAXI CURRAN wore the broadest smile at St Tiernach’s Park in Clones this afternoon.

The Donegal ladies manager had just seen his team defeat Armagh 5-12 to 1-9 to win a third Ulster title in a row.

“Games turn on small things and we got a dream start,” he said. “The girls done really well to finish them. It meant it was hard for Armagh to get a foothold.”

Listen to Maxi Curran’s interview with Charlie Collins here

A dog has been found in the Hawthorn Heights area of Letterkenny on Sunday evening.

A member of the public found the dog on their front porch but was unable to bring the dog inside.

The Hawthorn Heights resident is keen for the pet to be located by its owner.

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Donegal are safely into the Super Eights but still had more than a watchful eye on the Round 4 All-Ireland qualifier draw, which took place this morning.

As Ulster champions, Donegal already knew that they would be pitched in with Kerry, who won Munster, in Group 1 of the Super Eights and would be joined by Leinster losing finalists Meath and Connacht runners-up, or the teams that beat them in Round 4.

This morning’s draw pairings are:

Cork v Laois

Meath v Clare

Cavan v Tyrone

Galway v Mayo

Therefore, Kerry and Donegal will be joined by either Meath and Clare and Galway or Mayo.

Therefore, Kerry and Donegal will be joined by either Meath and Clare and Galway or Mayo.

Donegal know they have a home fixture to open their three fixtures on the weekend of July 13/14 against Meath or Clare, take on Kerry at Croke Park the following weekend and then round off with an away game in Galway or Mayo on the first weekend in August, 3/4.

Unlike in previous rounds of the qualifiers, these games will not be played on a home and away basis. The neutral venues and the throw-in times will be confirmed by the CCCC on Monday afternoon with the games to take place next weekend 6-7 July and the winners advancing to the Super Eights.

The winners of Group 1 will play the runners-up of Group 2 in the All-Ireland semi-finals, and vice-versa. Dublin and Roscommon are in Group 2 and will be. joined by two other winners.

The draw will be broadcast live on Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 as part of the 8.30am sports news and also covered live on the GAA’s website.

Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has criticised the HSE for failing to publish the 2019 capital plan more than six months into the year.

The plan,  which determines the projects that can progress in 2019, still has not been finalised and is due in the coming weeks. But opposition TDs have complained about the lack of progress so far.

Donegal Fianna Fáil TD Pat the Cope Gallagher is concerned about the impact of the cost overruns this year: “We know from officials that the HSE was forced to change the capital plan substantially because of the massive overspend on the National Children’s Hospital, but we know little else as it hasn’t been published.

“Despite numerous Ministers telling us that no projects would be cancelled as a result of the overrun, the HSE national director of strategic planning and transformation acknowledged that the ‘issue at the national children’s hospital will have a very significant impact on our plan’,” he said.

Pat the Cope said that it is hard not to be cynical in relation to the delay and to question why the Government have not yet published the plan yet.

“Is it because they know that there will be capital projects cancelled or postponed,” he asked.

“I had highlighted previously the Donegal concerns which I had regarding pending capital projects, some months ago I expressed concerns regarding the future capital commitment to upgrade the three Donegal Community Hospitals namely St Joseph’s Stranorlar, Ramelton and Lifford Community Hospitals, also I was concerned regarding the impact it would have on the O’Cleirigh Centre Donegal Town. In the context of the present capital plan being a full 6 months late in publication, meaning that half the year is gone before funding is released then my concerns are well and truly justified,” concluded Pat the Cope. 

The number of people waiting without hospital beds at Letterkenny University Hospital last month has fallen by 16%. 

There were 243 patients on trollies at LUH in the month of June 2019.

The figure is down 16% from 291 patients at the same time in 2018.  The monthly total was 393 in June 2017.

Trolley figures were up 7% nationally last month, as 7,392 admitted patients were forced to wait without hospital beds.

Cork University Hospital, South Tipperary General Hospital, Sligo University Hospital, University Hospital Waterford and Tallaght University Hospital all recorded their worst-ever June for overcrowding.

The Trolley Watch figures were published by the INMO. General secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said: “Our members tell us that there’s no longer a summer respite when it comes to overcrowding. Summer 2019 is as bad as winter was five years ago. Understaffing is driving year-round unsafe conditions.

“The government and HSE need to get a handle on this problem. That means implementing the Safe Staffing Framework and making real progress on Sláintecare. Without serious investment and reform, this problem will continue to spiral, with patients and frontline staff paying the price.”

Donegal Road Safety Working Group (DRSWG) is once again launching its Safe Cycling Initiative reminding all road users that road safety applies to every one of us – motorists, cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.

Brian O’Donnell, Road Safety Officer with Donegal County Council said all road users are vulnerable and have duties of care to each other.

“The importance of motorists allowing a 1.5m passing distance when overtaking cyclists cannot be stressed enough and we also need to impress on motorists the vulnerability of cyclists and the need to respect them as road-using equals”.

He added that evidence shows that excessive speed is one of the greatest threats on the road and any impact with a cyclist or pedestrian at even 50km an hour carries a 50 per cent death threat.

Dealing with that particular vulnerability requires personal visibility and greater traffic awareness by all road users.

The DRSWG is once again in conjunction with Donegal Sports Partnership distributing high viz gilets encouraging as many cyclists as possible wear them.

Donegal County Council Road Safety Offcier Brian O’Donnell. (North West Newspix)

Mr O’Donnell added “Cyclists need to be clearly visible and the distribution of high viz cycling gilets is a step in the right direction to help protect cyclists on the road. We received positive feedback from the cycling clubs following this campaign last year and we hope that cycling clubs will continue to promote this safe cycling initiative.

“Cyclists have their own responsibilities regarding their own safety, lighting, high visibility clothing and helmets, clear signals and strict adherence to the rules of the road. We would like to shift the mentality and attitudes of cyclists to ensure that they take their own safety on board.

“While there is bad behaviour by both cyclists and motorists, it is an unequal relationship and motorists should recognise their particular vulnerability, slow down and give them more room when overtaking.

“The timing of this initiative is also appropriate following the success of last week’s National Bike Week and we hope to encourage as many as possible to wear the cycling gilets. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians all need to share the road safely. We should all respect each other’s space and ensure that everyone stays safe.”

To get a high viz gilets email roadsafety@donegalcoco.ie.

Letterkenny Tennis Club will be holding a family fun open day on Sunday 7th July at the Tennis Club.

The club will open its doors to the public from 10am – 2pm on Sunday with a view to families coming down, finding out about the club and having some fun with tennis.

The event is targeted at children and adults with a view to making the club accessible to those who have never played tennis before and would like to find out about the club.

The Letterkenny Tennis Club is a vibrantly active club with runs classes and activities for all ages and all abilities.

Apart from its extensive children’s’ classes, there are also adult beginner and refresher courses. For those who want something different to do on Sunday, there will be something for everyone including tennis activities for the public and demonstration matches for those who just want to come down and enjoy some tennis.

Light refreshments will be provided and there is a bar-b-q for members and friends later in the day which is also open to the public. Tickets for the bar-b-q will be on sale at the open day or by contacting the club.

The Letterkenny Tennis Club is situated behind the Regional Cultural Centre and is accessed to the side of the Regional Cultural Centre by road between An Grianan Theatre and the 4 Lanterns Take Away.

For any further information regarding the open day or to buy tickets for the bar-b-q event, contact Gerry 086 3809398 or Sheila 087 7405516.

Essential road repair works will be taking place this week from Monday (July 1) to Friday (July 5) at Bree, Malin Head.

Local diversions and traffic management will be in place.

Donegal County Council have asked motorists to allow extra time for their journeys.

Donegal County Council is planning to close the Glencar Road in Letterkenny for more than five weeks this summer. 

A section of the road will be closed on a 24-hour basis from 22nd July to 30th August to facilitate the installation of a new sewer.

The temporary road closure affects part of the Glencar Road from the roundabout on Glencar Road to the top of Newline Road/ Wolfe Tone Place entrance.

Traffic will be directed to follow alternative routes via Newline Road and the High Road. Local traffic will always be accommodated, according to the notice.

An objection period is open until 3rd July. Anyone wishing to object to the closure should submit objections in writing to Roads Central, Donegal County Council, County House, Lifford before 4.00pm on 3rd July 2019.

“In the event of objections to the granting of any of the proposed roads closures, the Council reserves the right to make details of the objections available to the licence applicant where it considers this necessary in order to fully consider the validity of any of the objections received,” said the notice from Roads and Transportation.

There were mixed results for the two Finn Harps underage sides playing on Saturday.

The U13s had a fine 4-1 win against Dundalk at Illistrin where Kevin McHugh’s boys built a comfortable lead by the break.

Aaron McLaughlin got the opener with ex-Drumkeen Utd striker Shaun Patton doubling that advantage and then Dundalk conceded an own goal to leave Harps 3-0 up at the interval.

The visitors did pull a goal back but then conceded again late on to leave the hosts with an excellent victory.

Meanwhile, at Oriel Park it was a defeat for the Finn Harps U15 as Dundalk proved too strong for the visitors with a 4-1 win.

Paul Rua McBride’s side did score early through Conor Campbell but the hosts came back strongly to win with some ease.

Foyle Valley’s Craig Simpson took the top spot at the Summer Festival 10k in Donegal Town over the weekend in an impressive time. 

Simpson finished first with a time of 33 minutes and 22 seconds, while his Foyle Valley teammate Matthew McLaughlin came second with a time of 34 minutes and 10 seconds.

Ciara Cunningham was the fastest women to finish the 10k, finishing in 44 minutes and 18 seconds.

New figures have revealed that 1,773 women are waiting to see a gynaecologist at Letterkenny University Hospital.

The number of women waiting for a gynaecological outpatient appointment nationally is now almost 30,000 (29,152).

The number of women waiting for an initial assessment has increased by 43% since 2014.

Ireland has the third highest fertility rate in the EU, but less than half the EU average number of specialists in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

A group of leading Irish consultants have united to speak out on the impact of waiting times and consultant shortages on Irish patients.

Dr Rhona Mahony, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Director of Women’s Health at Ireland East Hospital Group said the figures on gynaecology care are distressing for women:

“Waiting lists have a huge impact on quality of life. There are so many simple procedures that can change a life and radically improve a patient’s quality of life. Not to be able to offer that to patients, in a country like Ireland, is really quite distressing, mainly for patients, but also for those charged with giving care.”

The Irish Hospital Consultant Association (IHCA) is calling on the government to act to address consultant shortages across our health services.

The IHCA believes that the lack of access and increasing wait times are being exacerbated by the fact that almost 1 in 5 permanent consultant posts in our public health service are either unfilled or filled by temporary appointments. Added to this, Ireland has the lowest level in the EU of consultants working in our health service (43% below the EU average).

According to the latest waiting list figures from the end of May, over 556,000 patients are now waiting to see a consultant for an outpatient appointment, while a further 68,000 who had been assessed by a consultant are waiting for follow-on treatment. 

The #CareCantWait campaign in addition to emphasising the impact of long waiting times on Irish patients is also encouraging patients, the public and those working in healthcare to support the IHCA’s call for the Government to address consultant shortages across Ireland’s health services.

The government and Health Service Executive (HSE) have been slammed over what has been described as their ‘throwing good money after bad’.

Pearse Doherty was commenting after it was confirmed over the weekend that the HSE has still not received formal approval for the capital funding required to redevelop both St Joseph’s and Ramelton Community Hospitals.

It is now understood that hundreds of thousands of euro will now be spent carrying out minor refurbishments and upgrades in order to ensure that both facilities can comply with HIQA standards for older person services.

“At a meeting of elected representatives and the HSE held on Friday last, it was confirmed that the necessary formal approvals required in order to proceed with the long-awaited St Joseph’s and Ramelton Community Hospitals projects have still not been given,” Doherty said.

“This means that, in the absence of the capital funding needed to finance both these builds, then it is highly unlikely that construction will commence in the short term.

“Instead, the HSE will now spend some hundreds of thousands of euro on minor upgrades and refurbishment works at both units in order to bring them up to an acceptable standard and to deal with compliance issues concerning HIQA standards, including constructing en-suite rooms and other measures to ensure greater privacy and dignity of patients.

“This is yet another example of government throwing good money after bad on sticking plaster solutions instead of doing what they should have done long ago which is making the capital funding available to deliver these badly needed projects at both hospitals,” he added.

“This ridiculous situation comes despite repeated assurances from the Government that they are fully committed to the retention of long term residential care at St Joseph’s and Ramelton Community Hospitals, yet their inaction tells a different story.

“Instead, patients and their loved ones, as well as hospital staff and the wider communities of Stranorlar and Ramelton have been strung along and lied to by Fine Gael Ministers time and time again,” Doherty said.

“This is simply not good enough and I fully intend on raising the issue of both hospitals with the Minister this week in the Dáil before the summer recess because clearly, this government is still failing to see the serious consequences their indifference is having on all those who depend on these vital services.”