BRETT MCGINTY has confirmed his move into the professional boxing ranks.

The eight-time Irish champion has inked a pro deal with the Los Angeles-based Sheer Sports Management – the company who manage Jason Quigley.

The St Johnston man turned 21 earlier this month and will be based in Manchester, where he will train under former multiple world champion Ricky Hatton.

The two-time Irish Elite finalist spent some time with Hatton this summer and has been in Los Angeles for the last week or so with coach Eugene O’Kane from the Oakleaf ABC in Derry, where he spent his entire amateur career.

Brett McGinty with Ken Sheer of Sheer Sports Management

McGinty won a European Schoolboy bronze and Commonwealth Youth silver and joins Quigley and the McKenna brothers from Monaghan, Stevie and Aaron in aligning to Sheer.

McGinty has not yet signed up with a promoter, but will hope to get into the ring for a pro debut soon.

His last fight as an amateur was a defeat to Gabriel Dossen in an Elite semi-final in February.

Two motorists had a lucky escape when their vehicles collided outside Conwal Graveyard on the outskirts of Letterkenny last night.

Damage was caused to the front of both vehicles, a van and a  car.

The accident happened just before 8pm.

Gardai and the emergency services attended the scene and there was a build-up of traffic in the area for a time.

However, it is understood that neither of those involved in the collision were injured.

GARDAÍ are investigating an alleged stabbing incident in St Johnston.

Gardaí were called to the scene of an incident in the early hours of Friday morning.

A man was hospitalised following the attack at a premises on the village’s Main Street.

The injured party was subsequently released from hospital last night.

Members of the Garda forensic team were at the scene on Friday morning.

It is not known at this stage of any arrests have been made or if anybody is to be charged with the assault.

RAMELTON MAN Ronan Boyce made his Derry City debut last night as the Candystripes hammered Cork City.

Boyce (pictured by North West News Pix) came on as a late substitute for Grant Gillespie as Derry won 4-0 to move into third place.

The Ramelton teenager, who moved to Derry from Swilly Rovers, has impressed for the Under-19s and was recently elevated to the first team ranks by manager Declan Devine.

With Derry in cruise control with Eoin Toal, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe and a Colm Horgan own goal having sealed the deal, Boyce was given his bow.

Junior added a fourth goal for Derry in added time.

A Heart Failure Integrated Service is on the way for Donegal communities after the proposal was granted a share of the €20m Sláintecare Integration Fund.

The new service will focus on community care and integrating the services at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) with the services provided by the Community Healthcare Organisation 1 (CHO1) in Donegal.

The new service will comprise two teams of nurses who specialise in treating patients with heart failure – both teams will be split between the hospital and the community to ensure a seamless journey for patients in and out of hospital. 

The new service will also include a cardiac physiologist based 80% of the time in the community and 20% of the time in LUH. The service will support the early diagnosis of heart failure by providing community clinics where patients can access echocardiograms; improved access to consultant cardiologist support for GPs; education of patients and families in caring for someone with heart failure; and fast-tracking patients who need urgent assessment.

Cathy Farrell, Heart Failure Clinical Nurse Specialist at Letterkenny University Hospital said, “Heart failure is the most common reason for older people to need a hospital stay and these patients often require a lengthy stay in hospital. 

“We know from research that when patients have access to a structured Heart Failure Programme – like what we are proposing – then they are less likely to need hospitalisation and will have a better quality of life. Also, if GPs are able to refer their patients for echocardiograms in the community, they are able to reduce the number of patients who need to be referred to the hospital to see a consultant for diagnosis.”

Seán Murphy, General Manager, Letterkenny University Hospital said, “Around 3,200 people in Donegal have a diagnosis of heart failure and the same number again have asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction which means they are at risk of developing heart failure. 

“Currently the majority of these patients have to be seen by a consultant in the hospital to get a diagnosis and this may involve a lengthy wait. The proposed Heart Failure Integrated Service for Donegal will integrate the care from the hospital with the care from the community and this will mean faster diagnosis and a better experience for patients by providing services closer to home.”

The Chief Officer, for CHO 1, Mr John Hayes welcomed the Sláintecare Integration funding stating, “This project will aid in enhancing and developing services for patients across Donegal.  It will aid in the delivery of quality healthcare to the most vulnerable in our health system. I look forward to working with the project team in the implementation of this initiative.”

More than 50 delegates from the German town of Rudolstadt will visit Letterkenny this weekend marking one year since the official signing of the Twinning Agreement between both towns.

Mayor of Letterkenny Cllr. John O’Donnell welcomed the 51 large-delegation at a special reception on Friday night in the Raddison Hotel.

He said: “Great progress has been made over the last 12 months in building strong connections with our partners in Rudostadt and I am looking forward to welcoming them back to Letterkenny and indeed Donegal on Friday evening.

“From the outset we were keen to see young people from both towns involved in the initiative and I am delighted with the progress that has been made on this front.

“We have a number of young people visiting as part of this delegation and there will be an event for students and young people on Monday morning in the Co-Lab where they will get an opportunity to build friendships and learn about each other’s community and I hope that this will lay the pathway for a more extensive youth exchange programme in the near future.”

The delegation will have an opportunity to participate in some of the planned Donegal Connect initiatives this weekend including the Donegal Bay Drive Tour where delegates will have an opportunity to visit Hanna Hats and Magees of Donegal Town before experiencing the highest sea cliffs in Europe at Sliabh Liag along with a visit to Glencolmcille Folk Village.

On Sunday, the group will travel north visiting Creeslough and Dunfanaghy before travelling to Ramelton to enjoy a jazz music session.

A delegation from Letterkenny visited Rudolstadt in March this year and Chief Executive of Donegal County Council Seamus Neely hopes that this return visit will be an enjoyable experience for the delegates and that they will get a sense of the scale and diversity of County Donegal while continuing to build strong meaningful linkages with Letterkenny.

The visit will conclude on Tuesday morning with a formal meeting between the delegates and members of Donegal County Council and businesses represented by the Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce.

The average cost of full-time childcare in Ireland has risen to €184 per week, according to the latest figures.

The average full-time childcare fees recorded in May were €184 per week, an increase of 3.6% from the same time last year.

Publishing the figures, Minister Katherine Zappone said her priority is to reduce the costs to parents and bring them into line with EU norms.

The findings highlight major differences in the price parents have to pay for their children’s care, depending on where they are living.

The figures are based on information drawn from almost 4,000 early learning and childcare service providers around the country.

Ms Zappone said: “Despite record investment in early learning and care and school-age childcare with 117% increase in investment over the past four consecutive Budgets, the cost to families of early learning and care and school-age childcare remains higher in Ireland than in other OECD countries  with wide variation in fees across the country.”

There was a packed house in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel on Friday night as four notable members of the diaspora were honoured with the 2019 Tip O’Neill Irish Diaspora Awards at a gala ceremony hosted by Donegal County Council. 

RTÉ presenter Sean O’Rourke performed the Master of Ceremonies as a playwright and author Frank McGuinness, developer Pat Doherty, lawyer Patrick Dunican and businessman Daniel Hilferty were honoured for their outstanding achievements in their chosen fields.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr. Nicholas Crossan said: “These awards were founded as a way to pay tribute to the great deeds of Tip O’Neill, to honour his family connection to this part of the world and to celebrate, not only the outstanding achievements of Tip himself, but to recognize, to acknowledge and to honour the millions of Irish people or people of Irish descent across the globe who through hard work and dedication have excelled in their chosen fields and who through their own generosity of spirit continue to champion and support our diaspora in every corner of the globe”.

Extending a warm welcome to the beautiful Inishowen Peninsula Cllr Martin McDermott, Cathaoirleach of Inishowen MD acknowledged the importance of reaching out to our diaspora and of showcasing the stunning offer that Inishowen and indeed Donegal has a place to visit, to live in and to do business in.

Paying homage to this year’s recipients Tom O’Neill, son of the late Tip O’Neill, described Patrick Dunican as a “real Irish leader” and described how he “created a national powerhouse of a legal firm situated along the East Coast of the United States.

“His Irishness is recognised and appreciated for the leadership he gives all Americans but especially the Irish American community,” O’Neill added.

He also acknowledged his contribution to diversity in the legal profession and in particular in supporting the progression of women not only in his practice but in the law practice.

He spoke of Dan Hilferty’s achievements in the Healthcare sector and how since 2010 he has by 3 times built the size of his company adding that “he is really known for the public health policy element that he brings to the job.  A true Irish man and a great leader in Healthcare”.

Tom O’Neill believes that Frank McGuinness “captures the very soul and spirit of what it is to be Irish.  What it is to be an Irish man, what it is to be an Irish woman,” adding that “he has been read and witnessed by tens of thousands of people here and abroad and he carries with him the impact of what it means to be a true Irish man.”

“Pat Doherty worked for his Dad for four years in Donegal before he left to go to London where he began to make his fortune in development,” said Tom O’Neill.  “But more importantly and this is what diaspora is, don’t ever forget where it is you are from, don’t ever forget what Gods gift has given you so you take that gift and give back,” he explained.

“What he did to the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, what he has done in the last 10 years back here in Donegal, taking €100 million and investing it and employing hundreds of people doing nothing else but good.”

Upon accepting the award each recipient expressed their heartfelt gratitude.

Patrick Dunican spoke of his strong Irish ancestry saying: “I am Irish, I am American, I am Irish American,” and promised going forward that he would talk about Donegal and encourage tourism and travel to the county.

Daniel Hilferty also spoke emotionally about his Donegal connections and said: “I leave here tonight a very proud son of Donegal.

“I am very excited to be part of the fabric of this community and I promise you that I will be back and that I will spread the word to all the diaspora that there is no place like this beautiful place called Donegal.”

Describing Tip O’Neill as “a complex and high achieving benevolent man” and a man of “great eloquence,” Frank McGuinness said that he believed that “kindness was at the root of all that Tip O’Neill did, it was also at the root of the greatest Irish man of my generation and as far as I am concerned of the 20^th century John Hume.

“In his glorious, unending, courageous, rough, terrifying fight to obtain justice for all in society not just for the few, I think John was inspired by the actions and behaviour and dreams of the greatest man of the 20^th Century Martin Luther King.

“I thank John, I thank Martin Luther King, I thank Tip O’Neill for passing on to me and to other generations that necessity to dream, to believe we can create a better world, a happier world and a world with more light.  So all of those men were creatures of light and the three men that stand with me tonight to receive this award are gentlemen of light”.

Frank McGuinness concluded by thanking his beloved family and friends and his beloved county for its constant inspiration.

Over €56,000 has been raised by 300 brave women who did a topless strip and dip for Breast Cancer in Inishowen last month.

Busloads of enthusiastic ladies headed to Stroove Beach at Greencastle on a wet and chilly Friday night at the end of August to take part in the topless challenge. Together, the women braved the elements and ran into the sea for the liberating celebration – all for three great causes.

The final total was revealed on Friday at a party in Rosato’s Bar in Moville. Organisers Katrina Doherty, a teacher from Moville, and Donegal Hospice nurse Mary McLaughlin were delighted to reveal the final amount.

Mary McLaughlin and Katrina Doherty at Rosato’s Bar in Moville, revealing the grand total of the Half Strip and Dip fundraiser

The amazing €56,452.57 will be split between the Breast Cancer Centre in Letterkenny, Cancer Care West and the Breast Cancer Ireland Schools Outreach Programme – supporting local people and local health education programmes.

In Pictures: 300 women bare all at the beach for breast cancer

Scoil Cholmcille in Letterkenny was given the green light on yesterday (Fri) for a major redevelopment. 

Minister for Education, Joe McHugh, joined staff, pupils, parents and board of management and principal Paraig Cannon at the school to celebrate the big news.

See pictures below of the day of celebration…

The Finn Harps U19s play the final game of their regular season at Finn Park knowing that avoiding defeat against third placed Dundalk will be enough to ensure a second-placed finish and therefore a home quarter-final, while the U17, U15 and U13 are also in action. 

SSE Airtricity League Under-19 Northern Division
Finn Harps v Dundalk, Finn Park, 2pm

Harps come into the game in good form having beaten their Derry City counterparts last week, while Dundalk will also be confident following an 8-0 win last time out.

Earlier in the year Dundalk won the reverse fixture 3-1 at Oriel Park.  Kick off at Finn Park is at 2pm.

“It’s credit to the lads that we have ended the season very well winning 6 out of our last 7 matches and secured a play-off position. We now have a huge match on Saturday against a Dundalk team who are in great form and we know this match is a head to head for second spot and home advantage in quarter final.

“They beat us in Oriel park earlier this year so we know they have quality in their side but it should be a great battle for anyone who comes along to watch.

It’s a credit to everyone that we have qualified for play-off positions for a few years in a row but the players know that now is the business end of the season and we must produce our best possible performances.”

SSE Airtricity League Under-15 League Cup Group 1
Derry City v Finn Harps, Redcastle, 2pm

Harps U15s make the short trip to Redcastle (2pm KO) to play northwest neighbours Derry City in the first match of the League Cup. The draw for the competition took place last week and it placed both northwest rivals in the same group as league favourites, Shamrock Rovers.

Saturday’s match will see Paul McBride’s youngsters face Derry City for the fifth time in competitive action this season. Their most recent clash was played under the lights in Curragh, and it ended in a 2-2 draw.

Reflecting on the season so far, McBride was positive on where his side has come from, “It’s been a year of learning really. We had a great phase one campaign. Matches were tight, but we came out on top in most of them. There has been an obvious step up in phase 2.

“We’ve competed in all of the matches except two and both of those teams, Dundalk and St. Pat’s, were ahead of the others in my opinion.

“The standard has been high and as a group, it’s where we want to be to improve. We’ve played Derry so many times this year already. There’s very little between us on any given day. There’s been plenty of goals so far and I don’t see that changing at the weekend, both teams tend to go for it.”

The latest team news from the 15s camp is that all players are available for the derby. Oisín Lynch has recovered from a shin injury and both Luke McGlynn and Jamie O’Donnell have returned from a school trip and are expected to see some action at the weekend.

SSE Airtricity League Under-13 Shield Semi-Final
Finn Harps v Waterford, Ballyare, 2pm

All roads lead to Diamond Park, Ballyare this Saturday as the Finn Harps host Waterford FC in the U13 National League Shield Semi-Final, kick off 2pm.

Finn Harps U13 head coach Kevin McHugh praised the influence of National League in its inaugural season, “It’s been a very positive season to date, the players have come on so much since this time last year. People questioned the U13 league National League, but this is our 21st competitive game in LOI and I can see huge benefits of this coming through in each player.”

Harps welcome a Waterford side who came 2nd in the South section of the national league, whilst Harps themselves topped the Northern section. McHugh hinted at the exciting game expected on Saturday.

“It’s a great end to the season regardless how Saturday’s game goes.  Waterford have been blowing teams away in their group, so it’s going to be a brilliant test for our boys against a quality side. Hopefully we will see a decent crowd in Ballyare for the game,” McHugh said.

Sunday Fixture:

SSE Airtricity League Under-17 Northern Division
Dundalk v Finn Harps, Oriel Park, 2pm

Heading into the final fixture in the regular season on Sunday the Harps U17s are in second place, just a point behind leaders Bohemian FC.  A win over Dundalk, who sit in mid table, would guarantee a home quarter final.  Bohs face Longford while both St Patrick’s Athletic and Shelbourne are just a point behind Harps and meet each other this weekend.

The sides played out a 1-1 draw when they met at Finn Park back in May and Harps enter the weekend in good form having won their previous three fixtures.

Declan Boyle is looking forward to Sunday- “We are looking forward to our final match of the campaign against Dundalk and we know to expect nothing else but a tough match when travelling to Oriel Park.

“It was always going be a challenge for this group of players following a double-winning season but the squad has shown great commitment and it’s no small achievement to reach the play-offs.  Our focus is now on approaching Sunday’s match as best we can because we would obviously love to secure second place and home advantage for quarter final.”

A MEMORIAL Trust has been set up in memory of the late Manus Kelly.

The 41-year-old was killed while competing on day three of the Donegal International Rally in June.

The sportsman, politician and businessman was one of Donegal’s most-loved personalities.

Manus – who had won the event in each of the three previous years – lost his life when the Hyundai i20 R5 left the road on special stage 15, Fanad Head.

Three months on from his passing, some of his close friends and members of the MK Rallying Team have set up a website, www.manuskellytribute.ie, and a Memorial Trust has been established.

“Our goals are to keep Manus’ legacy and memory alive, and also to assist Manus’s wife Bernie and their children in their future, which is what was at the heart of what Manus lived for,” the Trust says.

“Over this past few months we have been inundated with calls and messages from people looking to help in any way to make sure that Manus’ wife Bernie and their five children are looked after well into the future.

“With this in mind we have set up the Trust to establish and create a fund which will go solely to the assistance of Bernie and the children.”

The proceeds raised will have a phased distribution and the Trust has four trustees – Donall Barrett, Paul Doyle, Seamus Doherty and Damian Doherty.

Barrett was Kelly’s long-time friend and navigator who was injured in the crash.

Tens of thousands turned out to pay their respects at the wake and funeral on a week that rocked Donegal to the core.

Manus Kelly was elected a County Councillor in May, just a month before his sad passing

The Trust members said: “Manus was a devoted family man to his wife Bernie, his children Annie, Mandy, Charlie, Conan and Bella, his parents Donal and Jacquline, his sisters Bridgin, Kelda, Ciara and Shannagh and his brothers Donal, Caolan, Teighearnan and Leon, as well as extended family.

“By now the realisation of Manus’ death is as hard as ever – it doesn’t at all seem fair. Our hearts go out to Manus’ family, for their loss is hard for us to comprehend.

“For his friends and followers we have to remind ourselves of the reality but are continuously taken aback by the legacy that Manus has left behind.”

A tribute night to Manus Kelly is being organised for Saturday, November 23, in the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny. Further details of this night will be announced in due course.

An impressive collection of paintings by Donegal artist Sean Fingleton will be launched this Thursday at Letterkenny Institute of Technology.

LYIT are delighted to present the Sean Fingleton Collection – Work on Loan.

The loan to LYIT consists of eight oil paintings executed between 1986-2000 that feature scenes from Letterkenny, dramatic landscapes and seascapes and expressionist portrayals of life within nature.

These paintings have been installed in the college to be enjoyed by staff, students and visitors; a thoroughly welcome addition. 

The collection will be launched on Thursday 3rd October at 6pm and all are welcome to attend.

Sean Fingleton, from Malin, is one of Ireland’s leading landscape painters. He studied art at the Letterkenny RTC, now the LYIT.

Fingleton said it was important that his work has a presence at his former college. He said:

“It is meaningful that these works are in Letterkenny. I have a fondness for the college, the town, and the county. I also have a following in Donegal that I felt could be served by this loan.”

Fingleton remembers the relaxed atmosphere of the college with affection: “It was a friendly place. It laid the ground work for my art career and all my later work. I had a strong mentor in Eddie O’Kane. He taught analytic drawing and working from the model. We could work from long poses and really work extensively. I was also inspired by Declan McGonigle and he was encouraging.”

Exhibition Curator Marianne O’Kane Boal said: “Sean Fingleton has long been one of Ireland’s leading landscapists. He has forged a path within the Irish art tradition that is uniquely his own and inspired by his natural surroundings. He has a sculptural approach to the application of paint, investing physical vigour in building surfaces with a palette knife.”

Fingleton commented: “A landscape is a scene to inhabit. My thoughts, experiences, senses, emotions and philosophy are poured into the given space I am painting.”

He articulates: “Visual statements in paint, moments in being that cannot be expressed in words.”

The presence of the Sean Fingleton Collection – Work on Loan is of great importance to LYIT. It highlights the work of a leading Irish artist and key exponent in the landscape tradition. It also highlights the importance of the institute as a memorable foundation in the career of Sean Fingleton and its legacy potential for all its students.

The collection will be launched on Thursday 3rd October at 6pm and all are welcome to attend.

DECLAN BONNER provided some extra-time heroics as a determined Na Rossa edged Urris to reach the Junior Championship semi-finals.

Na Rossa 2-8 Urris 0-10 

By Chris McNulty in Convoy

The 54-year-old Donegal manager pulled off a superb double save in the extra period to stave off Urris’ search for an equalising goal.

Daniel Devlin bore in on goal, but Bonner got down to his right. Impressive as that was, Bonner’s next move to spring up to thwart Ryan Doherty’s follow-up was one of the game’s big moments. A goal then and Urris would have been level and had the momentum, but Na Rossa went down the other end for Conor McCahill to open up a four-point advantage.

With regular goalkeeper Ryan McGonagle having moved to New York two weeks ago and with numbers already nigh-on minimum, Na Rossa turned to their most famous son.

Bonner, 40 years after he made his senior debut for the Dooey club and 27 years on from his All-Ireland win with Donegal in 1992, did what he has always done and stepped into the breach. It was so when he returned as the club’s Chairman in spite of his busy schedule with the Donegal footballers.

Na Rossa have bid adieu to scores of young talents to far off fields, but they showed character in abundance here, led by McCahill and Odhran Molloy, who were excellent throughout a cracking contest in Convoy.

Urris

Na Rossa led much of the way, thanks to McCahill’s first-half goal, but they needed a dig-out from substitute Aidan McHugh, four minutes into added time, to force extra time with Molloy – who scored 1-5 in total – bagging a killer second goal.

Molloy – who just jetted back from America yesterday – had put four between them in the opening minute of the second half of normal time, but Urris inched back as Alan Friel and Noone, from a 45-metre free, brought the Straid men within striking distance again.

In between times, Na Rossa had another chance of a goal but McCahill was denied and McHugh’s attempted follow-up was also blocked.

Molloy steadied the ship with a free, but Dean Kelly’s brace had Urris on level terms for the first time since the 11th minute.

Alan Friel briefly had Urris ahead until McHugh popped up with the equaliser.

The red mist descended in the closing stages with Urris losing both Oisin Devlin and John McCarron to red cards, with a similar fate befalling Na Rossa’s Odhrán Gallagher.

Na Rossa broke for a second goal in the first period of extra time as Molloy finished well after McCahill made a fine incision down the right channel.

Na Rossa had only 19 players available for this one, but they managed to carve out four good goal chances in the first half of normal time. Of those, however, only McCahill’s 15th minute effort shook the net.

Na Rossa passed up several early openings, but when McCahill finished neatly they were daring.

Midfielder Eugene Molloy made the break and offloaded perfectly for McCahill. With defenders in pursuit, McCahill kept cool to tuck beyond Jonathan Noone, the Urris goalkeeper.

Na Rossa were in again when Molloy found himself on the end of a through ball by McCahill.

Noone was out to save well and the alert Luke Mullins blocked Molloy’s second attempt as Urris breathed a sigh of relief.

The nostrils whizzed again three minutes before the break when McCahill and Molloy combined again. This time, Molloy was denied by the inside of Noone’s post, but the Na Rossa man managed a point from the rebound.

Points from Daniel Devlin, Brendan Doherty and Charlie Doherty kept the Inishowen men in check and they might’ve had a goal themselves, but Friel was narrowly wide when he took aim for the bottom corner.

Na Rossa were boosted by the arrival of McHugh late in the first half. McHugh had played for Keadue Rovers in a Donegal Youth League game at Letterkenny Rovers in the morning, but came in here in the 29th minute.

Molloy slammed over a point to put Na Rossa three to the good at the break, 1-3 to 0-3.

In the face of a strong Urris fightback, Na Rossa held on for a deserved win and their names enters the drum for tomorrow evening’s semi-final draw.

Na Rossa: Declan Bonner; Jamie McCready, Daniel Melly, Sean McMonagle; Eamonn Bonner, John McDyer, Odhrán Gallagher; Eugene Molloy, Christian Bonner; Keelin Devenney, Conor McCahill (1-1), Peter Gallagher; Conor Bonner, Odhrán Molloy (1-5, 3f), Donal Trimble. Subs: Aidan McHugh (0-2, 1f) for Gallagher (29), Shane McGeehan for Devenney (52), John Ward for Christian Bonner (77), Denis O’Donnell for Devenney (79).

Urris: Jonathan Noone (0-1f); Brendan Doherty (0-1), Gary Doherty, Ryan Doherty U; Oisin Devlin, Daniel Devlin (0-1), Luke Mullins; Ryan Doherty R, Eddie Kelly; Oisin Hession, Charlie Doherty (0-1f), Patrick Doherty; Alan Friel (0-3), Andy Rilley (0-1), Mark McLaughlin. Subs: Michael Grant for C.Doherty (42), Kieran Kelly for G.Doherty (44), John McCarron for R.Doherty R (47), Conor Bradley for Mullins (50), Dean Kelly (0-2, 1f) for Devlin (51), Mullins for B.Doherty (78).

Referee: Martin McKinley (Naomh Colmcille).

Further concern has been expressed over the use of fireworks in the county with local residents in Letterkenny being targeted. 

Locals in the Long Lane area of Letterkenny have come under what has been described as ‘major disruption’ in recent days with youths seen throwing fireworks at members of the public and vehicles.

A spokesperson for Long Lane Area Residents Association said they had ‘serious concerns for the potential harm’.

Speaking to Donegal Daily, they said: ” We have been experiencing people throwing fireworks for the third night now. Our members have been out and have seen youths and even grown adults along with them throwing fireworks.

“This has caused major disruption and stress to young children, the elderly and pets being woken and severely startled.

“Our members confronted some anti-social elements who had been setting off fireworks in the middle of the road and in front of resident’s homes.

“We have serious concerns for the potential harm that may happen to people and the potential damage to resident’s property.

“If this persists, then it will only be a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or worse,” they added.

“This must stop as people in the Long Lane area want to live in peace.”

It comes as Gardaí seized a haul of illegal fireworks in Buncrana and Clonmany last week.

Speaking to Donegal Daily about the dangers of fireworks, the Donegal Fire Service said: “Fireworks are illegal in Ireland. It is illegal to possess fireworks in Ireland that may have been legally purchased outside the country.

“Illegal fireworks may not be manufactured to the appropriate safety standards and can ignite prematurely causing serious injury to the user or to others in the vicinity particularly children.

“Members of the public are asked not to buy, use or supply fireworks and parents are requested to monitor their children and make sure they do not play with fireworks including bangers.

“Every year children end up tragically injured and often scarred for life after using illegal fireworks.”

Jack Dwyer scored twice as Letterkenny Rovers overcame Keadue Rovers to win the Donegal Youth League this morning.

Letterkenny Rovers 3 Keadue Rovers 0

Dwyer’s double, either side of a Nathan Plumb goal, fired Rovers to glory in a winner-takes-all clash with the Central Park outfit.

Away wins last week against Bonagee United and Swilly Rovers set these sides up for the make-or–break meeting at Leckview Park.

Letterkenny took the lead when Dwyer beat Ben Boyle, the Keadue goalkeeper, with a superb free kick.

Just after half-time, Dwyer was involved in the build-up before Plumb shot home.

Anthony Gorman’s team sealed the win when Dwyer wonderfully soared his effort past Boyle.

More to follow …

FOUR GOALS in the first half saw Letterkenny Gaels soar into the Junior Championship semi-finals.

Letterkenny Gaels 4-14 Carndonagh 0-8

Gaels made light work of Carn at Hibernian Park to move towards the last four.

An onslaught of goals in the first half had the game all but over at half-time, when they led 4-5 to 0-3.

Ciaran Kilfeather struck two goals inside the opening two minutes as Gaels laid down an early marker.

John Doherty, who came on as an early replacement, hit a third goal for Gaels.

Late in the first half, Shay Doherty rattled the net to put his side 14 points in front.

Conor McBrearty added six second-half points as the Glebe made advanced with minimal fuss against a Carndonagh side that has been shorn the services of cruciate victim Conor O’Donnell.

Letterkenny Gaels: Shane Graham; Sean McDonagh (0-2), Darren Hunter, Ciaran Lynch; Conor Browne, Brian Diver, Diarmaid Cahill (0-1); Ciaran Cannon, Paddy Doherty; Shay Doherty (1-1), Ronan Frain (0-3), Anthony Diver; Odhrán McMacken, Conor McBrearty (0-7, 4f), Ciaran Kilfeather (2-0).

Subs: John Doran (1-0) for Kilfeather, Aaron Stewart for Browne, Kevin Kilkenny for Lynch, Sean Crossan for McMacken.

MARK ENGLISH bowed out of the IAAF World Championships after finishing seventh in his men’s 800m heat in Doha.

English surged away with an unusually-aggressive approach and led at the 400m marker, taking the bell in 51.89 seconds.

The 26-year-old paid a heavy price for the tactics as the other six competitors in the heat had all passed him by the time the Letterkenny man – who opened in lane 2 – reached the line in 1:47.25.

The searing temperatures, beyond a baking 40 degrees in the Khalifa International Stadium, were going to make for a difficult experience in any case.

The race was won by Kenyan Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich in 1:45.98, with Bryce Hoppel of USA (1:46.01) and Abdessalem Ayouni from Tunisia (1:46.09) also taking the automatic qualifier places.

English was a late inclusion to the entry list for these Championships – the fourth World Championships of his career.

It was only on Friday-week past, just eight days ago, that the Letterkenny man received confirmation of his inclusion via the IAAF’s quota system.

English was .04 seconds away from the qualifying time last month.

The UCD AC man, who qualified as a doctor this year, ran 1:45.98 to win an 800m in England last month having come from nowhere to take an eye-catching 1:45.94 win at a Diamond League meet in Birmingham.

Earlier this year, English won bronze at the 2019 European Indoor Championships in Glasgow – the third time he won a European medal – and followed that up with his latest Irish senior 800m title.

A SENSATIONAL performance saw Brendan Boyce finish sixth in the men’s 50k race walk at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha.

Boyce moonwalked over the line as the Finn Valley AC man finished the race in four hours, seven minutes and 46 seconds.

Boyce has consistently said this summer that he was aiming for a top eight placing – and he bettered that target in muggy conditions.

Yūsuke Suzuki of Japan won gold in 4:04:20 with Portugal’s João Viera taking silver after finishing in 4:04.59.

Evan Dunfee from Canada took bronze as he finished in 4:05:02, while Chinese duo Wenbin Niu (4:05:36) – who had two red cards – and Yadong Luo (4:06:49) were just ahead of Boyce.

The mercury was touching 30 degrees and humidity was at 75 degrees when the race – one of the toughest events in world sport – got underway at 11.30pm in the Qatar capital.

So tough were conditions that the IAAF had to issue confirmation early on Saturday that the event was going ahead.

It followed the women’s marathon on Friday night when an estimated 40 per cent of the participants dropped out and 30 of them required attention at the Medical Centre.

However, the IAAF, in a statement on Saturday, were at pains to stress that the marathon ‘completed without any cases of heat stroke’.

Boyce was 14th at the midway point, when just over a minute separated the participants from second to 15th places.

Boyce climbed into the top ten before he reached 30k – and he was just over a minute outside the medal places heading for the testing last 20k.

The moonwalk after and a sensational sixth place for @brendanboyce #worldathleticschamps pic.twitter.com/1ckUPBEYQy

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) September 29, 2019

The Milford man rose up to seventh by the 35k marker and was only 30 seconds off fifth place at that point.

Boyce was sixth, having passed Ukraine’s Maryan Zakalnytskyy, over the final 10k and passed 45k in 3:43:52 – just over five minutes away from Suzuki.

The Japanese walker stopped to a stroll three times during the closing stages and he was able to hold onto his lead to the finish.

Boyce has already qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

In finishing fifth at the European Race Walking Championships in Alytus, Lithuania, in May Boyce set a new PB of 3:48:13 – shaving 42 seconds off his previous record – to book his place in Japan.

THERE WAS the same purpose about Caolan Ward in the post-match interview as there had been in the preceding hour from St Eunan’s.

The black and amber answered questions that lingered in emphatic fashion with a ruthless destruction of Milford.

Eoin McGeehin netted a hat-trick as St Eunan’s eased to a 5-22 to 0-11 win, on an evening when all bar one of their scores came from play, with 11 different scorers registering. 

“We really showed what St Eunan’s are about in that game,” Ward told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub after the game.

“For once this year, we came with a ruthless team and we were going to make sure that Milford were never going to get a chance to come back into the game. It was a very pleasing performance.

“We have been slow to start so we wanted to make sure that we were in control and on top early on. We did that. A lot of young boys stood up and showed what they’re about.”

St Eunan’s were 3-12 to 0-7 up at half-time and there was no let up as they powered into the last four.

Ward indicated that St Eunan’s believe they can now challenge for Dr Maguire.

He said: “Everything you’ve read or talked about, it’s about a Kilcar or Gaoth Dobhair final. No-one is giving us much of a chance.

“Fair enough, if that’s the way they want to see it. We know what intention we have in our squad and we don’t have to prove that to anyone else.”

Listen to the full interview below …