BALLYBOFEY woman Laura Feely played 52 minutes on Sunday as a last-ditch try denied Ireland Women a wining start to their campaign.

Keira Bevan sniped over for a close-range try as Wales sneaked a 15-13 win in the International Test at The UCD Bowl.

Ireland had created some daylight through Linda Djougang and Enya Breen tries, before Wales fired back with 10 unanswered points.

The Ciara Griffin-led hosts were still primed to hold out for just their second success of 2019, until replacement scrum half Bevan swung it at the death.

Galwegians and Connacht player Feely started the game for the Girls in Green while Larissa Muldoon was an unused replacement.

CROSS country is a tough challenge on a good day but Saturday in Dundonald Belfast for the Ulster Under 11-19 cross country provided a memorable obstacle.

Conditions were dire due to incessant rain but the show went on.

Undaunted, Finn Valley’s younger brigade got off to a strong start winning the under-11 girls – Finn Valley 50, North Down 74 and Rosses 76  in that order. Scoring for Finn Valley were Castlefinn NS pair Niamh McGranaghan and Katie McGlinchey with Nia Byrne (Sessiaghoneill NS) plus from Glencovitt NS, Leona Slevin.

Another positive performance from Valley under-11 boys, team score here Rosses 46, Finn Valley 62 and Clones 75.

Finn Valley were led by Mark Wilkinson (Dromore NS) with Joshua (Drumkeen NS) and Sessiaghoneill pair Jack Byrne and Shea McNulty scoring 

The under-13 boys kept the medal run going final: Result St Michaels Enniskillen, Letterkenny and Finn Valley.

Scoring for Finn Valley were twins Harry and Shaun Gallagher, Pauric McGettigan and Odhran McBrearty.

Ella McGlinchey was Finn Valley’s best in the corresponding under-15 girls, while in the under-17 girls Sarah Bradley (8) and Emir O’Brien (16) were best.

The under-17 boys race, won by Glenswilly lad Sean McGinley (14.04) had Oisin Toye 4th, his best this year 14.16.

In the under-19 boys and girls a winning team 17 points to North Down 34.

In the under-19 girls Cassie Lagan (4) ,Karen Gallagher (5) and Aoife McGrath (6), a student now at Queens University and with the LAC athlete, a winning Donegal county team. 

In the boys equivalent, Aaon Quinn (8) continues to improve.

Elsewhere, Elsie Friel (Drumkeen NS) was a para athletics winner at the indoor meet Carlow and St Columbas College student Daniel McHugh was 5th in a combined events schools at Athlone IT.

Next is the Remembrance 10k on Sunday at 11am at Finn Valley and international masters at Aintree Liverpool where five Finn Valley athletes compete . 

A local county councillor has congratulated a local community group following the completion of restoration works to St Mura’s Church last week. 

Cllr Jack Murray said the site was of “huge historical significance” with works to restore the 7th Century St Mura’s Cross ongoing.

St Mura’s Cross is an ancient and unique carved cross-slab in Fahan, County Donegal but it was in danger of being completely eroded and the church gable next to it was crumbling.

Sinn Fein’s Cllr Jack Murray, Cllr Albert Doherty and Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn at the site in Fahan

The patron saint of the Cineál Eoghain including the Uí Neill who were among the High Kings of Ireland, St Mura died in 645 at the age of 94.

The cross was erected in his memory and is now one of the oldest in Ireland and is the only one to bear an inscription of The Gloria written in ancient Greek.

The gable wall dates back to 1608 but contains stones from the original monastery of St Mura.

Proceeds from several events have be donated to the Save St Mura’s Cross Fahan project, which is dedicated to the conservation of the site of St Mura’s early Christian monastery, particularly the 7th-century cross.

Speaking to Donegal Daily, Cllr Jack Murray said: Delighted to be in Fahan for the celebration of the completion of the restoration works at St Mura’s Church, with ongoing works to restore the 7th Century St Mura’s Cross.

As a site of huge historical significance, it’s brilliant to see such a positive initiative here.

“Fair play to everybody involved in making it happen.”

Irish Water is working to repair a burst water main in Buncrana this afternoon (Mon).

Repairs are being carried out on burst main in the Umrycam and surrounding areas – meaning supply may be disrupted.

Works have an estimated completion time of 3.50pm on November 11.

If you need to get in touch with Irish Water about this incident, quote the reference number DON00011049.

ROSIE Doherty felt a mix of emotion as she climbed through the ropes at the National Stadium on Friday night.

Boxing can be a lonely business at times, but the Carndonagh woman felt everything but alone.

As she lined up for her National Senior final against fellow Inishowen woman Caroline Gallagher, Doherty felt at one stage as if ‘my legs would give way’. 

Three rounds later, Doherty – boxing for the St Francis BC from Limerick – was crowned as welterweight champion; a third Irish title added to the sideboard. Vindication for making the comeback. 

And a promise fulfilled.

“It meant so much for me because I wanted to make my mum so proud,” Doherty says.

Eileen Doherty passed away in May 2017 after a battle with cancer.

Their world tumbled upside-down and inside-out all at once.

“I I was doing this to make her proud,” Rosie says.

“Mum was the strongest person I’ve ever known. I just wanted to keep pushing and keep achieving. She was such an inspiration for us all. In boxing, you’re the only one in there, but I felt mum was with me in the fight.

“That was my first time to box at the National Stadium without mum being there. We always got a picture together in the Stadium, so this time I brought a picture of her with me. That meant so much for me.”

In her teenage years Rosie was the Irish Under-18 champion and the National Senior Cadet champion.

College called and, as she studied at Letterkenny Institute of Technology, she hung up the gloves.

Now dong a masters in PE at the University of Limerick, she was tempted back and trains under Ken Moore at St Francis.

“It was hard enough to go back in,” she says.

Rosie with sparring partner Hayleigh Kiely and coaches

“I just had a passion for boxing; I always did. I needed to get back to the level I was at and, when you want to do that, you just have to dedicate. So, it’s straight from college to training, from the library to the gym. That’s just the way it has to be.

“It’s really good at the club here. They have a nice, family set-up and they made me feel so welcome. I’ve got a good connection with Ken, the coach and I couldn’t have done this without his work and help. I love it here.”

It was an emotional night, too, for the St Francis club. It was Moore’s first time in the National Stadium since the passing of murder victim Kevin Sheehy – a five-time Irish champion – in July. The undercurrents were plentiful for this one.

That she was up against Gallagher, who she knows having trained at Illies Golden Gloves for a time – ad having had a fight for the club at a tournament in Portugal – added to the strangeness of the occasion. 

She took herself off social media for the build-up and wanted no distractions.

“It was a bit weird alright,” she says. “You just have to block that out. I got off social media beforehand and I was working really hard. I’ve only been in St Francis for about six or seven weeks so I didn’t really know what to expect.

“I was happy with my performance, but I know I have so much more to give.”

Her boxing teeth were cut at Carndonagh Boxing Club, under the tutelage of the likes of Mickey Crossan, Jim Callaghan and Johnny Mulhern.

She thought at one point as if titles were in the past, but the nostalgia came back as she made her way down the South Circular Road on Friday night.

“I can’t explain how nervous I was,” she says. “I actually thought that my legs were going to give way. It was first time in the National Stadium in about five years. It was so nerviest-wracking. 

“I really enjoyed it. My legs were completely dead in the third round and Caroline just kept coming at me, putting the pressure on.”

Soon, the bell rang and silence filled the old place. 

As Peter O’Donnell, the ringside master of ceremonies, read the result, Doherty’s head spun.

“I couldn’t even speak to my coach,” she says. “I was just stunned. I was happy with how I boxed and had all the different impacts going on. But I just didn’t know what to do at the end. It meant so much to me.”

As for what’s next, she’s not quite sure, but does want to ‘push on and progress’. “I’m in a really good club and, even though I’ve only been here a short time, I know I can get better here,” she says.

Friday’s title, in so many ways, felt a consequence of another focus.

“This was about more than an Irish title,” she says. 

“I was doing this for mum. That was my drive.”

The Irish gay community have been urged to watch out for a scam on the gay dating app Grindr.

The scam uses the dating app and a fraudulent website that takes money from victims’ accounts, according to the Irish Examiner. 

It begins when a Grindr user receives a message from a new contact, looking to get in touch. The scammer then asks the victim whether they have an ‘LGID’ from a named anti-offender screening site.

If the victim asks what this is about, the scammer explains they were assaulted and punched, and may even attach a picture of their injured face, and say they want to be sure the new contact (the victim of the fraud) is not an offender.

If the victim follows a link to the apparent ‘anti-offender screening site’, they are asked to sign up for €2, but some are being charged €50 with even more payments being taken later.

Urban Schrott from anti-virus company ESET Ireland explained: “They’re told it’s an anti-offender screening system and they’re given a website to go and get it.

“The person they’re trying to contact claims that they’ve been attacked before as members of the gay community. And because they are afraid of getting attacked again, they want their potential contact to have this ID.

“But this entire thing is a scam.”

A man pulled out a knife in a shop and threatened a 7-year-old boy that he would cut off his tongue for misbehaving.

John Boyce appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with having possession of a weapon.

The court heard that the boy had been in McMahons Xtra Supermarket in Milford with his mother on July 24th last year and had been misbehaving.

62 year-old Boyce was in the shop and pulled out a knife which had a two-and-half inch blade on it.

He took out the knife and brandished it in front of the boy.

Garda Sgt Gerard Dalton told the court that Boyce told the boy he could cut his tongue off with the knife.

The boy’s mother then attended the Garda station and made a complaint to Gardai.

The incident was also recorded on CCTV.

Solicitor for the accused, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client had the knife in his pocket as he was a farmer and he used it for cutting the wrap from silage bales.

He added that his client, of Upper Tullagh, Carrigart, had intended to help the boy’s mother as he was misbehaving in the shop.

Judge Paul Kelly described the incident as “extraordinary.”

He said “This child was seven years old. The fact that he took out a knife is extraordinary behaviour.”

He adjourned the case for a probation and community service report.

 Donegal was hit with sleet and snow yesterday (Sun) as forecasters warn of a “bitterly cold” week ahead.

Wintry showers of sleet and snow could hit again on Wednesday as temperatures plummet.

And charts show more could be on the way midweek as rain turns to sleet, especially over higher ground in the north.

But before then, today will be a cold and blustery day with sunny spells and showers.

Wednesday could be the worst day of the week.

A Met Eireann forecaster revealed: “Wednesday will see a dry and bright start in the east of the country but rain will spread across the country from the west through the afternoon.

“The rain will be heavy and persistent and may turn to sleet in places, especially over high ground.

“The rain will clear to showers in the west later in the day, with a risk of hail and thunder there.

“Cold with highest temperatures of just 5C to 8C. Westerly winds will be mostly moderate but fresh to strong along south and southwestern coasts.”

The forecaster continued: “Outbreaks of rain and sleet will continue overnight across much of the country with a risk of some wintry falls on higher ground.

“Cold with widespread frost and lows of -1C to 2C. Breezy with moderate to fresh northerly breezes.”

Drivers across the country could with three penalty points and a fixed charge fine of up to €120 for overtaking cyclists dangerously from midnight. 

The new regulations state “a driver shall not overtake or attempt to overtake if to do so would endanger or cause inconvenience to a pedal cyclist.”

The Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority has said the new legislation is a “step in the right direction”.

Speaking to RTE News, Moya Murdock said cyclists are a vulnerable group of road-users, and that this will “hopefully” result in an “improvement in road safety”.

Ms Murdock said “The outcomes are much worse for anybody on a bike if they have to take some sort of manoeuvre to get out of the way of an inconsiderate motorist” 

The move comes after 40 cyclists were killed on Irish roads since 2016.

Minister for Transport Shane Ross increased the fine from €80 to €120.

A number of cycle groups have called for minimum passing distances to become a legal requirement but the Attorney General has warned that it would be difficult to enforce.

The long wait for a new Clearly Centre in Donegal Town is another step closer today (Mon) as it was confirmed that the project has been given the green light. 

Donegal TD, Pat the Cope Gallagher, said he had received confirmation from the Office of the Minister for Disabilities, Finian McGrath, that the Donegal Town centre would be included in Budget 2020.

He said: “In 2018, the Cleary Centre met with the Minister on a delegation to the Dail when they received a commitment that the centre would be included in the building programme of the Department and the HSE.

“However, they were not included in the 2019 capital budget for the construction of a new building for the centre.

“In the intervening two years, I have carried out extensive lobbying on their behalf to ensure the delivery of this project.

“Today, we have seen the culmination of all that hard work with the confirmation of funding for the project,” added Pat the Cope.

“I will be calling on the HSE to waste no time in getting a design team appointed for the new Cleary Centre and to work closely with the Cleary committee to ensure that the designs meet their needs.

“It is essential that this project move forward without any further delays,” added Pat the Cope.

Pat the Cope continued: “The Cleary Centre carries out trojan work on behalf of the disability sector, providing supports for those with intellectual disabilities.

“In 2014, the centre was deemed to be no longer fit for purpose and a new purpose-built Centre would be required to ensure the long-term future of the centre.

“Initially the Centre was refused inclusion in the building programme of the Department of Health and the capital plan of the HSE, but following pressure applied on the Minister and the Department it was subsequently agreed that the Cleary Centre be included on the programme, but no funding was approved at the time in 2018 or in the 2019 capital plans.

“Today’s announcement is the confirmation we were all waiting for and with the confirmation of capital funding, this much-needed project can now move to the construction stage.

“I will maintain pressure on the HSE and Department in order that this project moves swiftly to the next stages so that no further delay occurs in delivering this much-needed project,” concluded Pat the Cope.

Speed camera operatives employed by GoSafe who are members of SIPTU have suspended their industrial action.

In a statement, SIPTU said the decision follows an intervention from the Workplace Relations Commission.

Union organiser Brendan Carr said they will be attending “a conciliation meeting” at the WRC on Friday 22 November.

He added the company has also agreed to attend this meeting, according to RTE. 

Workers have been engaged in industrial action in recent months amid SIPTU claims that members can be confined to their van for up to 11 hours while conducting their duties.

The union says the shifts are so long that staff are using plastic bottles for toilet breaks.

GoSafe, a consortium based in Listowel in Co Kerry, operates the roadside speed camera vans under a State contract.

An insomniac who hadn’t slept for three days woke up in a school in Co Donegal after causing almost €2,000 of damage to the building.

Patrick McNamee broke into the Finn Valley Centre of Education in Stranorlar on May 28th, 2018.

As well as two broken windows, a number of computer monitors were smashed but nothing was taken.

McNamee, aged 29, appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with burglary at the premises.

Garda Sgt Gerard Dalton told the court that a man had been seen hanging around the building before the break-in which resulted in €1,934 of damage.

After the break-in, Gardai viewed CCTV footage and identified McNamee of 22 St. Bridgets Crescent, Drumkeen.

His solicitor, Frank Dorrian, told the court that his client suffered from an insomnia-like condition and that he hadn’t slept for three days before the break-in.

He had taken to the drink in a bid to get to sleep but he woke to find himself locked into the school, didn’t know how he had got there and broken a window to get out.

Mr Dorrian said “He has a condition that makes it difficult for him to sleep and he hadn’t slept for three days on this occasion,” he said.

He said his client also suffered from blackouts.

“He was questioned about it but maintained he could not remember it,” added Mr Dorrian.

He added that McNamee suffers from acute anxiety and depression and spends long periods of time at home without going out.

However, he said his client was committed to paying back compensation for the damage he had caused.

Judge Paul Kelly adjourned the case until February 3rd next for a community service and probation report to be carried out on McNamee.

THE Competitions Controls Committee (CCC) of the Ulster Council has confirmed the arrangements for this weekend’s Ulster club games involving three Donegal clubs.

Buncrana (pictured above) will face Blackhill from Monaghan in the Ulster Junior final on Saturday evening at 5pm in Healy Park, Omagh.

Tyrone official Kieran Eannetta will take charge of the game.

Buncrana are bonding to become the third Donegal side in a row – after Naomh Colmcille and Red Hughs – to win the Ulster Junior title.

That game is part of a double header at Healy Park. At 7pm, Donegal senior kingpins Naomh Conaill face Monaghan champions Clontibret in an Ulster senior semi-final. Noel Mooney from Cavan will referee.

On Sunday, at 3pm at Celtic Park in Derry, St Naul’s face Galbally from Tyrone in the Ulster Intermediate semi-final. Derry’s Barry Cassidy will be the man in the middle.

ROMA MCLAUGHLIN was the match winner on Sunday as Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) won the NEC title.

McLaughlin’s goal – her tenth of the season – came in the 18th minute as CCSU, the top-seeds, defeated Fairleigh Dickinson 1-0 at New Britain.

The Greencastle woman fired home the only goal of the game after being named as the NEC Midfielder of the Year.

It was CCSU’s tenth NEC crown and their eighth under head coach Mick D’Arcy. They now move on to the NCAA Tournament off the back of a nine-win streak.

“It’s two in a row, we’re so happy,” McLaughlin said afterwards. 

“We worked hard for that at the end. At the end of the game I was ready to collapse on the floor. I couldn’t even celebrate.

It’s even better. To retain a title is harder than anything. We’ve gone and done that. We’re delighted. So happy. 

“As the season went on, we started to play better and got closer. These girls are amazing.”

McLaughlin fired home after Fairleigh’s defence failed to clear. McLaughlin teed herself up before riffling over the goalkeeper.

She said: “The ball just bounced up and I hit it. It happened to place near the top corner. I’m happy with that.”

We hear from @CCSUBlueDevils' sophomore midfielder Roma McLaughlin, who scored the game-winner in a 1-0 win over FDU that sent the Blue Devils to the NCAA Tournament. #NECWSOC pic.twitter.com/ld6Cfw01gI

— NEC Women's Soccer (@necwsoccer) November 10, 2019

Would you like to learn to line dance, jive and waltz? And learn some language too? Now is your chance to join the new Gaelstep classes in Letterkenny.

Gaelstep is a fun way to learn many new talents – and the classes are beginning at St Eunan’s GAA Clubhouse this Thursday.

It’s a dance class, taught through the medium of Irish. It will be a mix of jiving, line dancing and waltzing and it should be a fun way to experience the Irish language in an informal setting.

James Sweeney, who has been teaching dance classes for a long number of years, will facilitate the classes.

The classes start on Thursday, 14 November 2019 and will run for 5 weeks in the run up to Christmas.

All levels of dancing and Irish speaking abilities welcome!

See the details in the poster below: 

THE deadline for receipt of nominations for the 2019 Donegal Sports Star Awards is fast approaching, on Friday-week November 22.  

It has been another fantastic year for sport in the County with an array of successes at local, provincial and national level as well abroad. 

The Awards exclusive sponsors Donegal County Council is calling on all sporting organisations to ensure that the many achievements of teams and individuals this year are recognised by making the nominations before the November 22nd deadline.

Councillor Nicholas Crossan, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council and the Local Authority’s Chief Executive Seamus Neely have expressed their pride at the success of the awards which is now in its 44th year. 

Cllr.  Crossan said: “It’s that time of year again when clubs, groups and communities from every corner of the county are asked to put forward their nominations for the Donegal Sports Star Awards.  

“To be nominated for a Donegal Sports Star Award is an achievement in itself and to win an award has to be a very special moment in the life of a Donegal sportsperson.

“Donegal Sports Star Awards honours the sporting achievements of individuals and teams in a wide array of sports ranging from the well-known sports enjoyed throughout the county to the many minority sports that so many individuals in Donegal have excelled at over the years.   

“I would encourage clubs, groups and communities from all different sports and in every corner of the county to put forward their nominations so that their sporting heroes can be honoured and recognised for their remarkable achievements.”

Seamus Neely said: “Donegal County Council is honoured to be the longstanding sponsor of the Donegal Sports Star Awards.  

“These awards recognise and celebrate all that is great about sport in Donegal and the value that we as a community place on our own local sporting heroes.  

“I believe that is only right that we take the time each year to recognise and celebrate the hard work and dedication of our sports stars and of their remarkable achievements.

“Sport has a special place in the life of our county.  It is the building blocks of our communities, it is the safe place where our children and young people can grow, develop and make friends and it is the essential lifeskill that instills and promotes an active and healthy lifestyle that will stand us in good stead as the years progress.

“Donegal County Council is proud to be closely associated with these awards and I would encourage clubs, groups and communities to put forward their nominations for their sporting heroes in 2019”.

Heritage Officers from around the country attended a reception at Áras an Uachtaráin recently hosted by President Michael D. Higgins to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Heritage Officer Programme.

Under the programme, the first Heritage Officers were appointed in Galway City, County Kerry and County Sligo in 1999.

County Donegal’s first Heritage Officer was appointed in June 2003 and today there are 27 Heritage Officers nationwide.

“The Heritage Officer Programme is a joint initiative between The Heritage Council and local authorities in Ireland,” explained Joseph Gallagher, County Donegal Heritage Officer.

“The role of the Heritage Officer is to raise awareness, provide advice, gather data, propose policy and promote best practice in relation to the natural, built and cultural heritage.

“In partnership with The Heritage Council and the County Donegal Heritage Forum, the Heritage Officer also oversees the preparation and implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan.

“The Heritage Council provides part-funding for the role of Heritage Officers in local authorities and for the implementation of County Heritage Plans.

“The Heritage Council also provides a continuing professional development training programme for Heritage Officers.”

In his address, President Higgins highlighted the role of Heritage Officers: “Communities have benefitted from the work of Heritage Officers and Heritage Council and evidence of that can be seen in every county in Ireland.

“There are things that have been protected that would not have been were it not for the actions of local authorities.

“I think that [the] Heritage Officer Network will be a fantastic resource and there will be so many things that you can do in partnership, cooperation and community.”

Under his stewardship as Minister for Heritage, President Higgins established The Heritage Council in 1995.

The Department for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht is in the process of preparing a new National Heritage Plan – Heritage Ireland 2030 – a successor to the first National Heritage Plan adopted in 2002 which provided the basis for County Heritage Plans.

“Local authorities and local communities will have a central role to play in the implementation of the new National Heritage Plan.

Speaking at the reception, Michael Parsons, Chairman of the Heritage Council Board, said: “The President has called us here to celebrate 20 years of high achievement by our County Heritage Officers.

“Their work, in leading at a county level, to promote and safeguard our heritage deserves our admiration, respect and support.”

If you would like to find out more about the work of the County Donegal Heritage Office, Donegal County Council, see www.donegalcoco.ie/heritage

An Garda Síochána in conjunction with Crimestoppers and ESB Networks are today launching a campaign to tackle the serious problem of metal theft.

The new campaign continues the work of the Metal Theft Forum, which was established in 2012 to develop a metal theft prevention and crime reduction plan.

Metal theft affects a large number of businesses and communities and includes the theft of electricity cables, copper wires, road signs, beer kegs, electrical goods, letterboxes and goalposts.

Ireland’s electricity network, public transport and telecommunications networks have all been victims of metal theft, with criminals removing large amounts of electrical cable, signal cable and copper wire.

Of particular concern is the sharp increase in ESB Network station break-ins and the ongoing theft of electrical cable. In 2019 the number of High Voltage (HV) station break-ins doubled compared to 2018 and 2017. There have been 43 break-ins to ESB Networks substations in 2019.

Serious injuries and fatalities have been caused as a direct consequence of metal theft.

John O’Driscoll, Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, said: “Metal Theft can affect everyone. Specifically, stealing metal from ESB Networks’ equipment causes power cuts which impact on families, businesses and the economy in general.

“I appeal to any person to contact An Garda Síochána, immediately, if they are aware of suspicious activity taking place close to an electrical installation on their land.

“I am also specifically appealing to any person involved in the purchase and or resale of metal products, to ask appropriate questions and report unusual sources of metal as you may inadvertently facilitate criminal activity and commit an offence of handling stolen property if you purchase metal that is stolen”.

An Garda Síochána are calling on members of the public and, in particular, the farming community with overhead power lines on their land to be vigilant of suspicious activity and to come forward with any information they may have on metal theft and people engaged in this illegal activity.

Information can be provided to your local Garda station, by calling ESB Networks on 1820 372 999 or by the Crimestoppers confidential telephone service by calling 1800 25 00 25.

Experience necessary

To apply, email info@gdcirl.com

Phone/Office: 0749384700