Aodh Ruadh GAA Notes

Registration 2014

Club membership for 2014 is now due and all club members are asked to submit their registration form and fee at their earliest convenience. We will be having a number of open registration sessions throughout March to facilitate members.  

The first session takes place this Thursday, 13th March from 8pm to 9pm in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh. Membership can also be paid to Mary Matthews at Shannon’s Corner.

Membership rates are as follows: Adult, €40; Adult Player (Includes insurance cover for the year), €60; Youth (Born 1996-2003 inclusive): €25; Youth (Born 2004-2014 inclusive): €15.

This year we also have family packages which are priced as follows:

Two adults and all children under 18: €120; One adult and all children under 18: €100 The club requires a registration form with each fee. Registration forms can be downloaded from aodhruadh.org.

Club hoodies

We will once again have our hoodie samples at the registration session this Thursday in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh from 8pm to 9pm and taking orders at this session.

It will be full payment up front to secure your hoodie.

Youth sizes are priced €22, with sizes available including: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13.

Adult sizes are priced €26, with sizes available including: extra small, small, medium, large, extra large and XXL. See the aodhruadh.org homepage for a visual mock-up of the hoodie.

For further information e-mail info@aodhruadh.org.

Football

The seniors had a run out against Erne Gaels on Saturday afternoon. A decent showing against a strong Belleek outfit once we found our feet in the second half.

We have a few shots from the meeting up on aodhruadh.org.

In other news the senior and reserve league programme has been released. Aodh Ruadh’s schedule looks like this.

Round 1. 22nd March: Aodh Ruadh V Buncrana

Round 2. 5th April: Naomh Columba V Aodh Ruadh

Round 3. 12th April: Aodh Ruadh V Carndonagh

Round 4. 20th April: Milford V Aodh Ruadh

Round 5. 26th April: Aodh Ruadh V Naomh Colmcille

Round 6. 3rd May: Red Hugh’s V Aodh Ruadh

Round 7. 10th May: Aodh Ruadh V Urris

Round 8. 17th May: Buncrana V Aodh Ruadh

Round 9 – 1st June: Naomh Bríd V Aodh Ruadh

Round 10 – 7th June: Burt v Aodh Ruadh

Round 11 – 14th June: Aodh Ruadh V Naomh Columba

Round 12 – 21st June: Carndonagh V Aodh Ruadh

Round 13 – 28th June: Aodh Ruadh V Milford

Round 14 – TBC: Naomh Colmcille V Aodh Ruadh

Round 15 – TBC: Aodh Ruadh V Red Hugh’s

Round 16 – TBC: Urris V Aodh Ruadh

Round 17 – TBC: Aodh Ruadh v Burt

Round 18 – TBC: Aodh Ruadh v Naomh Bríd

The minors became the first Aodh Ruadh side to kick ball in anger in season 2014 last Sunday when they travelled to Dungloe to take on the Dungloe / Na Rossa combination.

Niall Harley was carrying a knock coming into the game, so in his absence Oisín Roper partnered Oisín Rooney lár n páirce.

The pair gave Ballyshannon a great platform as they dominated the first half to go in leading on a scoreline of 0-6 to 0-1. Aodh Ruadh continued where they left off in the second, hitting the first two points of the half. However, the Rosses men weren’t going to go without their spell of domination in the game and duly clawed their way back into the tie.

However when Oisín Roper drove home the goal to put the Ernesiders four points ahead with time running out it looked like the points would be coming back to Ballyshannon. Dungloe / Na Rossa kept the pressure up though and hit a point and then a goal with pretty much the last kick of the game to earn a share of the spoils, the match finishing 1-8 apiece.

Oisín Roper had an excellent game, aside from his scoring exploits, as did his partner Oisín Rooney.

Philip Patton’s eye was in and the Rosses outfit struggled to keep tabs on him.

The back six were outstanding and the half back line of Calum O’Halloran, Colm Kelly and Jack Darbon and the full back line of Jack Darbon, Eugene Drummond and Daniel Warnock, all deserve special mention. Aodh Ruadh will be on the road once again for their next game, this time just as far as Gaelic Park where they’ll be taking on Bundoran on Sunday, 23rd March.

Throw-in should be 12 noon. Well done to Niall Harley and Colm Kelly who featured in convincing wins over last year’s Ulster minor champions at the weekend, Monaghan.

Harley was in his usual midfield berth as Donegal swept past the Oriel outfit on a score line of 3-10 to 0-7, while Kelly featured at centre half back on the provisional squad which won 4-12 to 1-4.

The under 14s should finally, finally, finally play their first game of the season this Sunday 16th March when they travel to Donegal town to take on Four Masters.

Throw in is12 noon for that one.

Indoor training continues this Friday 14th March.

The under 6s are in the Mercy Hall at Colaiste Cholmcille from 6pm to 7pm followed by the under 8s from 7pm to 8pm, also in the Mercy Hall.

The under 10s are training in the new hall at Colaiste Cholmcille from 6pm to 7pm followed by the under 12s from 7pm to 8pm, also in the new hall.

There is a charge of €2 per head. Please bring runners as no other footwear allowed.

Parents/Guardians are asked to please collect children promptly after their session is finished.

Hurling

Underage hurling training continues in Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh for all grades this Sunday at 12 noon. All new comers are most welcome as we start honing our skills for the coming season.

The eighth annual Hurl-a-thon takes place on Saturday 5th April from 10am to 10pm. in the Mercy Hall, Ballyshannon.

The underage hurlers are out looking for sponsorship at the moment, please support them in their efforts to raise funds for the promotion and development of underage hurling in Aodh Ruadh.

Donegal are playing Derry this Sunday in the opening game of the Ulster minor league.

There will be a large Aodh Ruadh contingent in the panel with captain Eddie Lynch will be leading the county out on this proud day for the club.

Ladies

The Ladies Committee say thanks to those who supported our Quiz Night in Owen Roe’s last week, to Owen Roe and O’Neill’s Leisurewear for sponsoring prizes and to Sylvester Maguire for doing quiz master.

The fixtures are now available for the forthcoming season. Please contact your team manager for further information.

Training continues for all age groups from under 14 upwards.

Training for under 8s, under 10s and under 12s will begin on Monday 31st March at 6.00pm. Please note this will be outdoors.

Further details will follow. Players eligible for under 8s are those born in 2006 and 2007 only; for under 10s it is those born in 2004 and 2005 and for under 12s it is those born in 2003 and 2004.

County Development Officer, Donal Sharkey is co-ordinating the coaching courses this year.

A FUNdamentals Course will take place on Saturday 29th March from 10am to 4pm, with a fee of €25 per person.

Anybody over 16 years of age qualifies to do the course. Please note coaching qualifications for the male code do not qualify you to coach Ladies Football. The venue for the course will be confirmed shortly.

Please contact Willie Scott on 0879538516 if you wish to do the course.

Pitch Bookings

With training and playing activity escalating it is absolutely vital that bookings are made in advance with Peter Conlon and that cancellations are also notified to him.

Due to pressure on the pitches those planning to organise tournaments should notify a provisional date to Peter Conlon immediately.

Dates will then be allocated from April onwards for the hosting of tournaments taking account of Aodh Ruadh club home fixtures. No tournament should be committed until a date is allocated by Peter Conlon.

Donegal V Louth

A full match programme will be prepared for this game. Those wishing to place an advert should make direct contact with the Park/Development Committee PRO Michael Daly on 086-9171949 or michael.daly@donegaldemocrat.com.

Give your club an hour

As a new season throws in and membership is being renewed we would like to take this opportunity to ask all members to get involved and take part in the club and its various activities such as lotto, bingo and so on.

Members are being asked to sign up and give an hour to the club.

At registration there will be an opportunity for all interested to sign up and you can let us know if there is any particular activity you are interested in helping out with.

Recreational Football

Recreational football continues this Saturday at 7pm under the lights at Páirc Aoidh Ruaidh and once again the emphasis is very much on the craic.

It’s excellent value at just €5 for the session. Text or call Alan on 0868052816 if you need any further information.

Aodh Ruadh Bingo

The winner of the €400 jackpot at last Friday’s bingo in was Kathleen Flanagan.

Bingo in the Abbey Centre this Friday at 9pm. Full books €10, Half books €5. We can always do with extra hands to help out with running the bingo.

It is a heavy burden on the few people currently involved, so if you can help lighten the load even once in a while it would be a major help. Please contact David McLoone on 087-760172 if you can help out.

Lotto

There was no winner of the €8,000 Aodh Ruadh Lotto jackpot last Sunday.

The numbers drawn were 4, 5, 7, 11, 15 and 18. In the lucky dip €20 each went to: Owen Roe O’Neill, West Port; Jim Downey, Erne Street; John Larkin Jr, Ballyshannon, Caroline Patton, The Mall; and Tom McLoughlin Cashelard. Next draw is in Pat’s Bar on Sunday at 8.30pm.

The jackpot is €8,100 so get out there and buy your ticket; if you’re not in, you can’t win!

The lotto team for McCosker’s Centra this Saturday is: BORD NA NÓG.

The lotto team for Kernan’s Spar this Saturday is: RESERVE FOOTBALLERS.

GAA National Club Draw

The GAA National Draw takes place in Croke Park on Monday 17th March.  

The Club would like to thank those who purchased tickets and wish them the very best of luck. Our own Club draw will take place on Sunday 16th of March.

New Website Calendar Feature

Never miss another game, training, or Club event with our new Calendar feature.

All Club fixtures as well as major Club and County events will be listed on this new calendar.

Events are colour coded for handiness, blue for matches, green for trainings, and yellow for events.

You can also subscribe to the calendar to sync it with your own email, whether it is Gmail, Outlook or others.

Simply follow the instructions in the video on the website to sync to your mailbox. See clgbnag.com/calendar for details

Seniors

CLG BnaG 1-13 Termon 3-11

There were certainly more positives than negatives to be taken from today’s defeat at the hands of Division 1 side Termon.

In a hard hitting, fast paced, and entertaining encounter in Moyle Park na Galloglaigh came storming out of the blocks to race into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead after 15 minutes, albeit with the aid of a strong breeze.

Despite losing Manus Boyce to injury in the warmup, the first half was very impressive for the blues, who showed good fitness and strength against their neighbors, while Cathal Mc Gettigan gave Donegal U21 selector and Termon man Francie Friel food for thought with a superb all round display, scoring 1-8.

It was also great to see Gary Merritt and Jonny Logue make a return to the Seniors while Paul Nash also got himself on the score-sheet for the first time in nearly ten years.

SP Barrett made some wholesale changes 5 minutes into the second half which seemed to disrupt the home side and the boys took a while to get back into their stride, before Termons second goal put them into the lead for the first time in the game with 50 minutes played, and Termon ultimately ran out the victors by 4 points at the final whistle.

This was a great opportunity for a lot of the younger lads to get a taste of playing against Division 1 opposition and the hard hitting and fast paced nature of things and they should benefit greatly from it.

Despite the defeat it was a good run out for the boys ahead of their league opener against Red Hughs on the 22nd of March, and SP Barrett should be pleased with the performances today which could well give him selection headaches.

Team: Gavin McFadden, Sean Black, Conor McNulty, Paul Grier, Enda McHugh, Paddy Peoples, Ryan Ferry, James Doyle, Luke Barrett (0-1), Dean Burgess, Pauric Curley (0-1), Paul Nash (0-2), Gary Merritt, Cathal McGettigan (1-8), Kane Barrett (0-1). Subs: Sean Gallagher for McFadden (HT), Brandon Toye for P. Grier, Tj Evesson for Merritt, Paul Sweeney for Burgess (40m), Kieran Sheridan for Black (42m), Gavin Grier for McHugh (44m), Jonny Logue and Emmet Conaghan for K. Barrett and Ferry (46m)

Minors

CLG BnaG 0-10 St Michaels 6-11

The Minors suffered an undeservedly heavy defeat at the hands of St Michaels this morning. Sloppy errors allowed St Michaels in to get 6 goals in the second half, after only being a point behind at half time.

Next up for the Minors is a clash with neighbors Mulroy Gaels, an amalgamation of Downings and Fanad Gaels.

Throw in is at Moyle Park at 1pm on Sunday 23rd March. Team: Gavin McFadden, Kieran Sheridan, Emmet Conaghan, Brandon Toye (0-1), Gavin Grier, Kyle Macaulay, Luke Trearty, Caolan Bolton, Ryan McMahon, Kane Barrett (0-8), Jason Scullion, Adam Serrinha, Odhrán Coll (0-1), James McCallum

Gaelic for Girls (8-12 Years Old)

CLG BnaG is inviting girls between the ages of 8 and 12 to come along and try the game of Gaelic football in a fun way over a 12 week period.

Training will take place on Friday evenings at the pitch in Milford from 6-7pm.

Training starts on Friday 21st March with registration at 5.45pm (Registration for G4Gs, including a t-shirt is €8). For enquiries, contact Roisin on 087-9188795

Donegal Senior Ladies

Hard luck to Niamh Carr and the rest of the Donegal Senior Ladies who were defeated by a point by Mayo today in a thrilling encounter that finished Donegal 4-10 Mayo 2-17

Donegal U16 Ladies

Good luck to Aisling McHugh, Lianne Boyce, and Aoife Donnelly who will be involved with the Donegal U16 Ladies in their Championship clash away to Monaghan on the Saturday 15th of March

Scor Encore

Our Scor ns nOg Instrumental Group consisting of Kyle Macaulay, Kevin Egan, Eoin and Liam Orr recently played for a recording of Scor Encore, TG4′s Scor program and this episode will now be aired on Sunday, April 6th at 7.30pm.

After a successful audition just before Christmas in the Dun Uladh centre in Omagh the group were invited to come and perform in front of a live studio audience for TG4s new Scor based program

Training Schedules

Seniors/Reserves/U21s/Minors: Mon (8.30pm @ Crossfit LK), Tuesday & Thursday (8pm @ Pitch)

Senior Ladies: (@ Pitch): Wednesday (7pm), Saturday (10am)

Minors: (@ Pitch) Wednesday (4.30pm)

G4M&O: (@ Pitch): Mondays (7.30pm)

U14s: (@ Pitch): Tuesday (4.15pm), Friday (4.15pm)

U12s: (@ Pitch) Fridays (6pm)

Gaelic4Girls: (@ Pitch) Fridays (6pm)

U10s: (@ Pitch): Fridays (7pm)

Underage Coaching

Anyone interested in getting involved in the coaching of underage teams are asked to contact Shaun Paul Barrett on 086-6052169

Allianz League Prediction Competition

With just 3 weeks left Marty Boucher is still top of the Club leaderboard. The top 5 are:

1. Marty Boucher – 1215

2. Pat Barrett – 1200

3. Nicky Boucher – 1157

4. Roisin McCormack – 1137

5. Pauric Curley – 1078

2014 Membership

Club membership will be soon due for the 2014 year. Please be aware that Donegal tickets will only be sourced for paid up members of the Club.

The rates remain unchanged from 2013:

Family – €50

Senior – €20

U18 – €10

Alternatively you can subscribe to the Club Lotto Database. For €17 a month you will receive:

- Full Family membership

- Entered into every weekly Lotto draw

- Automatically in a Christmas Hamper Draw (For subscribers only)

- 11 free weeks entry into the lotto

For more information contact Joe McNulty on 086-8547114

Lotto

This weeks lotto numbers were 1-5-11-16. No jackpot winner, 2 match 3 winner win €35 each. SP Barrett, Glebtidally, Rathmullan & Ciaran McHugh, Forquar, Milford. Next weeks Jackpot is €680.

Lotto Database

Lotto database players are reminded that end of year payments are now due.

Anyone wishing to join the lotto database in 2014 can download the standing order form from the Club website or contact Joe McNulty. The benefits of joining the database are:

- Full family membership for 2014 included

- Entered into every draw evey week

- Automatically in Christmas hamper draw (One for database members only)

- 11 weeks free entry to lotto draw

Lucozade Sports Club Crusade

Thank you to all who helped with this years bottle cap collection, your support was much appreciated and we would ask that everyone continues to collect their bottle caps for next years collection.

Irish Language Classes

Irish classes have recommenced.

If you would like to learn Irish from the beginning or improve on the Irish you have, get in touch with any club member or phone Brendan on 0749152455 or email bandcward1@gmail.com

Child Protection & ASAP Policies

CLG BnaG Child Protection and Welfare Policy & Procedures and CLG BnaG Alcohol and Substance Abuse (ASAP) prevention Policy information sessions have been held for all members of the club executive and all those involved with underage teams.

There will be further information sessions for underage members and their parents/guardians following the next registration in 2014.

Please visit the ‘downloads’ section of our website (Milford.Donegal.gaa.ie) and view the policy for yourself.

If anyone has any queries or concerns or comments please contact the club Children’s Officer Marian McNulty at 086/8506405 or marian.mcnulty@lyit.ie

Volunteers Needed for Sub-Committees

CLG BnaG is currently in the process of creating Sub-Committees to help implement and achieve the targets of a 5 year plan.

If you feel you can contribute to the running of the Club in any small way, either in time or in ideas, please contact MilfordDonegalGAA@gmail.com, 0863400082 or send a PM.

The Sub-Committees are as follows:

Finance

Underage Games Development

Adult Games Development

Club Administration

Club Facilities

PR, Communication & Culture

Lotto Sellers Required

The Club is seeking lotto sellers in the Milford, Ramelton and Rathmullan areas. If you are interested contact Joe McNulty on 086-8547114

Evolution Fitness

All paid up club members will now be able to avail of a €10 discount on 3 month membership. Normal 3 month membership is €80 but will be available to members for €70. If interested contact Jack Duddy at Evolution Fitness beside the mart in Milford

*Contact Us*

For all information and queries contact MilfordDonegalGAA@Gmail.com, follow us on Twitter on @CLGBnaG, and on Facebook on www.facebook.com/clgbaile.nangalloglach or see our website www.milford.donegal.gaa.ie/

Milford GAA Club Gear

Club gear is now available to order. Anyone who has ordered club gear but yet received it are to contact either Aidan or Barry.

The range of club gear includes Hoodies, Tracksuits tops, Windcheaters, hats, navy polo shirts, white polo shirts, and t-shirts.

There is some lovely gear available at very reasonable prices and photos are available to view on the club Facebook page.

Orders can be placed with Agnes Ryan on 086-8194751.

INVOLVED with sport and sporting clubs? Want to be a better coach? Well, we hope you enjoy our brand new columnist Terence McWilliams, the GAA’s Ulster Games Development Manager. Every Tuesday he will be passing on the latest ideas in coaching. Here’s his first column:

Creating Sustainable Club Coaching and Games Development Structures.

By Terence McWilliams

Ulster Games Development manager

The successful clubs of the future will plan for the future rather than keep doing the same thing over and over again and just getting the same results. This is what we call insanity. If we want things to happen, we must make them happen, success rarely happen on its’ own. Planning good club structures is no different from planning any structures should that be business or any other enterprise. The key ingredients in planning any structures are to get the right people to do the job. The following process may be used for the creation of effective and efficient club coaching structures. The first step is to plan all the stages to take the club through the process. Target key personnel to publicise the event to the whole community and what you hope to do for the benefit of the club. Unless the whole community is involved in the whole process from the start it will fail. One or two of the same old stalwarts, doing the same thing year after year will change nothing

Aim: State your main aim for holding the meeting i.e.

• To Review Club and County Coaching and Games Development and put a Plan in Place for the next few years. If there is no plan you will have to start from scratch.

Objective: To help us achieve our aim we will have to do the following…

• Assess the current coaching & games situation in the club

• Create a shared vision for success in our club for the future. Here everyone must have their say in a non-threatening environment

• Identify and solve the critical challenges facing our club now and in the future

The following process should be followed in the order given.

Task 1:

A first task could be to get club delegates to jot down 2 or 3 key things that they would hope to get out of the process by using Post Its. Ask them to stick them up on the wall and review. The facilitator should read out a few to see if the process covers any of them and if they can be addressed.

Task 2: The London Underground

Here is a great task which could be used to show the importance of planning and everyone working together.

1. Break into 6 Groups

2. Give each group their task – The London Underground i.e. a photo of the London underground is cut into 6 parts and each group is given a part

3. Explain Rules of Task

• Only allow 1 Flip chart page and 2 markers per table

• Can borrow or add 2 more items to complete task

• Open Envelop and recreate this image i.e. a sixth of the complete underground exactly 5 times larger.

• 5mins

4. Bring all Groups together and ask them to put their Task sheets on the ground

5. Then bring their version together – Groups put original 6 parts of map together and then their drawn map together.

6. Review the results

The aim of this task is to show the importance of the groups working together and the members within the groups helping each other. When we did this task we found that groups failed to work as a team and here you can stress to club members the importance of having a plan in place.

Now is the time to explain what a plan is.

Explain the importance of producing a plan and its benefits. Here stress the point if you don’t know where you are going how you ever going to get there!

A Working Action Document Which:

• Provides a blueprint for the future direction & development of the Club

• A framework containing Goals and Time scales

• Plan that is owed by the members not the two or three who have been controlling things this past number of years which is sadly the norm in many clubs.

• That is Implementable & Reviewed from time to time and tweaked when necessary.

Why do we need a plan? Benefits…

Club members need to know what they will get out of this for their efforts. They want to know what has to be done to achieve success. If you can show them this you are half way there. That’s what makes us all tick.

• Allows Members to understand that there is a plan

• Allows input – creates Ownership & Identity

• Identifies Goals & Focus your activity

• Assist with the recruitment and training of new members

• Keep everyone informed of Aims & Objectives

• Allows the Club/County to Grow & Strengthen

Producing the Coaching and Games Development Plan: The 3 key stages in producing any plan are…

1) Analyse the Current Situation – It’s a good idea to look at where you have come from, where you are now and where you hope to go

2) Design a way forward

3) Implement a Plan

1) Analyse the Current Situation

I. What is the current situation in the club?

II. What are the club values?

III. What is the club’s mission statement? If you haven’t got one write one up now.

IV. What are its resources? A club audit i.e. number of teams, players, coaches etc. This might show you any weakness and issues that you need to take on board.

2) Design a new way forward

I. What is the vision of success? A good idea here is to get groups to actually draw what the feel a successful club would look like and again take feedback from the different groups.

II. What are the key success factors that come out of this vision?

III. What are the critical challenges from these key factors?

3) Implementation of Plan

I. Develop new club plan from the critical factors suggested

II. Implement the plan. Draw up a plan template for this i.e. who does what when and how etc.

Task 3:

What does the Club Value (Task 5mins/ Review 5mins)

In Groups discuss what your club values and their importance to the club. An example of a value might be…Player Welfare and this means our club would aim to…’Provide the best playing experience for all our players.’ ‘Structure our games to allow players of all abilities to reach their potential’ etc.

This will have a big bearing on the direction your club will take i.e. winning v community involvement. Remember only one team can win. Does that mean everyone else fails?

1. In Groups Complete the Value Sheet i.e. what you feel are the key values for your club

2. Feedback to Group

• Take the top 2 answers from each group

• List all top answers and Vote on the Top 10 by allowing each member to highlight which one is their top answer.

Task 4:

Create a Mission Statement for The club

1. Working in Groups

2. Take a Flip Chart page and Split it into 3 areas.

3. Describe What your Club Does?

4. Describe How you do it?

5. Add Why you do it?

6. Feedback answers to all

7. Write a Mission Statement for your club based on these values.

An example of a mission statement for a club might be…

‘Our vision is that everybody has the opportunity to be welcomed to take part in our games and culture, to participate fully, to grow and develop and to be inspired to keep a lifelong engagement within our Association.’

Task 5:

Analyse the current situation under a number of headings e.g.

• Games, coaching, refereeing, volunteering, school/club links etc.

• Split group up into the specific number of groups you have topics for.

• Give each group the task of planning a specific topic each and how they might develop them. Be specific here i.e. who does what, when, how etc.

As a starting point you could ask members to consider the positive things that their club is doing with in each specific topic. Then look at the negatives and finally the things their club does well occasionally but would like to do more off i.e. run more coaching clinics etc.

Planning: The following process can be used in planning…

Task 6 – Create a Vision (Task 5mins/ Review 10mins)

I. Working in Groups

II. Take a Flip chart Sheet

III. Draw a vision of your club – Keep as visual as possible as pictures are more powerful than words.

IV. Feedback answers to all

Task 7 – Key Success Factors (Task 5mins)

I. What are the key things we need to achieve this vision just completed?

II. Use a New Flip Chart Sheet

III. Write down the Key points from each vision drawn from the various groups. These become the key Success Factors for the club.

a. No wrong answers list everything

Task 8 – Critical Challenges (Task 5mins)

I. What are the key things we need to achieve this vision

II. Everyone takes a Marker and Highlights which Key Success Factor is most important to them

III. Select the top voted answers and place these on another flip chart sheet i.e. place the number 1 beside the one you feel is most important to you etc.

These must be SMART (no wishy washy answers) A SWOT analysis i.e. Discuss the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats that your club might meet over the next few years.

The facilitator then adds up all the number 1’s etc. and the top 4 or 5 are selected as the key areas to work on for the plan

Task 9 – Create a Plan (Task 5mins/ Review 10mins)

I. From the Critical Challenge Sheet everyone has to select 1 area which they could support or work in e.g. coaching etc.?

II. Split into groups

III. Ask each group to complete the planning sheet

IV. Feedback Planning Sheet to everyone

Critical Success Factors Current Score Target Score Action Required When – by Whom

1 COACHING

2 GAMES

3 VOLUNTEERING

4

5

Task 10:

Implementation of the Plan – Process is as follows…

1. Select a Steering Committee – usually made up off…

• Project Manager + Club Chairperson + 1 other. It could be advantageous to have a coordinator from each code in the club i.e. ladies football, camogie, handball etc.

2. Appoint Internal Project Manager

• Eyes & Ears Facilitator. The Doer – knows who is doing what and when. This is the key person and is responsible for the plan working or not.

3. Appoint a Facilitator

• Neutral – Keeps project on Track, answerable to Project Manager

4. Select Project Team

• Made up a person from each project selected from the critical challenges which become the key planning topics. This person can call on any other expertise in the club who might not have attended the meeting but could be a useful source of knowledge and help.

• Responsible for Tasks set for their project and reports to Project Manager

5. Arrange Next Meeting

• Should be quiet close to review what has been done and not let anything slip. Here those that attended

The key from here on is to report monthly otherwise tasks lag and fail to be completed. Any projects not been implemented must be addressed as soon as possible by the project leader and addresses by the project manager and not allowed to fester.

A Donegal-based shark expert has said there is no reason why a Great White shark headed for Irish waters will not arrive here in the coming days.

A great white shark.

The man-eater, understood to be a little more than 1,000kms off the coast of Ireland, is on course to arrive off our coast in the coming days.

The general consensus is that the monster 970kg shark, named Lydia by scientists tracking her across the Atlantic Ocean, will change course away from our coastline.

The great white has been averaging just over 100kms a day in its journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

But shark expert Emmett Johnston said there is no biological reason why the shark will not come into Irish waters.

“A lot of people think that Irish waters are too cold or there will not be enough food for a great white to survive on but that is simply not the case.

“In fact, there is no biological reason why a great white shark could not make its way into Irish waters.

“There is plenty for it to feed on including fish and seals and other mammals.

“And the idea that our waters are too cold for the species is not the case. They survive in colder waters off South Africa so that is not a reason,” he said.

Emmett, who oversees the Irish Basking Shark project, is a wildlife ranger with the Irish Parks and Wildlife Service.

He has led groundbreaking studies into shark behaviour off the coast of Donegal for the past decade.

His team have used satellite tags to track the huge basking sharks of the coast of Cape Verde.

But while he claims there is no biological reason for the great whites not to arrive in Irish waters, it has just never happened.

“There has been numerous studies and expeditions done on the existence of great whites off both Ireland and Britain and no conclusive evidence has been found to suggest they are here.

“So while there is no evidence they have been here, there is no biological reason why it could not come into Irish waters. It has just never happened,” he said.

However Emmett described the discovery of a porbeagle shark off the coast of Kerry last weekend as being a ‘leprechaun version’ of the great white.

Great whites are frequently found in coastlines along Australia, South Africa and North America but have more recently been discovered in cooler waters off Canada and Alaska.

A JUDGE has jailed a teenager for six months after he was caught by Gardai in a stolen car while out on bail.

Sheridan O’Callaghan, 44 Windmill View, Letterkenny was also in breach of curfew when he was caught, telling Gardai: “I was just coming back from seeing my granny.”

The 19-year-old was on bail relating to a number of offences in Letterkenny last year including intoxication in a public place and failing to comply with the direction of Gardai outside a niteclub last August 30.

He was also facing charges of trespass at the Bernard McGlinchey Town Park in October last year and breaking into a car in Glendale Manor in May 2012.

But on February 28 last Gardaí in Ballybofey spotted a car travelling at speed through the town at 2.30am. The car went through a red light, Garda Inspector David Kelly told Letterkenny District Court.

“Gardai pursued the vehicle and it came to a stop on the Ardmacool estate in Ballybofey where the driver fled the scene and Mr O’Callaghan was found in the passenger seat,” said the inspector.

“The accused admitted that he knew the car in which he was travelling had been stolen. He was the subject of an 11pm curfew and when he was asked about this, he said he had been to see his granny in Donegal Town and was on his way home.”

Judge Paul Kelly said he was extremely concerned that O’Callaghan had been in “blatant breach” of his bail conditions and committing a crime.

He jailed the teenager for three months on the trespass charge and a consecutive three months for entering a car knowing it to be stolen – a six month period of detention.

O’Callaghan was also fined €150 for the public order offences, given a two month concurrent prison term for breaking into the car and had several other charges taken into consideration.

These transition year boys from St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny should be very proud of themselves today after qualifying in the F1 Schools final.

The event is a global multi-disciplinary competition that challenges secondary school students to design, build and race miniature compressed-air powered balsa wood Formula One cars.

The competition inspires students to use IT to learn about physics, aerodynamics, design, manufacture, branding, graphics, sponsorship, marketing, leadership, teamwork, media skills and financial strategy, and apply them in a practical, imaginative, competitive and exciting way.

Students from all over Ireland battled it out today at the regional heats in GMIT Mayo.

Teams went head-to-head, testing the speed and engineering quality of their model F1 racers. The competition took place on a 20-metre track, with the model cars reaching scale speeds of up to 350km/h.

But, it’s not all about speed, they were also judged on the quality of their engineering, graphic design, resource management, portfolio, media skills, handling of sponsorship and verbal presentation of their work. Their aim is to win the World Championships.

To get there, they will work as a team to the very best of their abilities to design a fast, light and aerodynamic model F1 car; but also to create a brand well-known throughout Donegal and Ireland.

They want to be successful innovators and to do this, they will use their passion, intelligence and professionalism – but above all, they will persevere and have fun.

The team are all local Letterkenny lads Ciaran Kelly, Caolan Vaughan, Ayrton Kelly, Gavin Maguire and Pauric Neely and have received great support from the local businesses, local media & local mentors.

They are pictured here along with St. Eunan’s principal Mr. Darby and their teacher / mentor Shaun McGinley.

A Co Donegal pensioner has been found dead in his car in Belleek.

The man, who is in his 70s and from Ballyshannon, was found this afternoon on the town’s Main Street.

The PSNI are at the scene but it is still not known how the man died.

Gardai have alerted the man’s relatives.

Ireland’s most northerly point is turning green for St Patrick’s Day.

Donegal Tourism has decided to turn Malin Head green in a bid to show tourists around the globe just how spectacular Inishowen and Donegal is.

Tourism Development Officer for Donegal County Council, Kevin O’Connor said there is so much to learn about Malin Head and its surrounding areas.

“Malin is a vital tourism attraction for the county, attracting in excess of 100,000 visitors a year, so we thought if it is good enough for the famous landmarks all across the world, why not for Ireland’s most Northerly Point.

“Malin Head will be illuminated in green on the 16th and 17th March, so if you’d like to see one of the world’s spectacular landmarks lit up for Paddy’s Day you need travel no further than the top of the country”.

In fact, almost every Irish person will have heard of Malin Head at some stage in their life – mainly due to its regular mention on national weather forecasts.

But what else do you know about it?

Donegal Tourism in conjunction with Donegal County Council plan to light up our very own spectacular natural landmark.

It has happened to the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, the Sydney Opera House, and the Great Wall of China. Now it is time to illuminate one of Ireland’s most significant locations and one that has a lot more to offer than one might first imagine.

When it comes to Malin Head, there is much to learn.

It is an area of great scenic beauty, and also of historical, scientific and ecological importance. Come and experience spectacular rock formations of stunning beauty and imaginative names such as Banba’s Crown, Devil’s Bridge, Hell’s Hole, or Five Fingers Strand.

One of the first points of interest on the newly established Wild Atlantic Way, Malin offers unique bird watching opportunities, with an array of rare and endangered species; unspoiled natural flora; and a stunning canvass for any budding or professional photographer.

Historically, it has been one of the primary links between Europe and America during the dawning of the Age of Radio Signalling, from The Tower at Banba’s Crown; or at low tide, perhaps you can spot the wreck of the Twilight, which sank in 1889 on its voyage to Derry.

Glenties Community Action Group is holding a fundraising dance on Saturday night March 15th next in the Highlands Hotel to raise funds for the newly named Glenties Community Response Fund. Admission will be €10 on the night and music will be by The Playboys.

All monies raised on the night will be directed to the Glenties Community Response Fund. This will follow on from our St Patricks Parade which takes place earlier that same day at 2.30pm. We have many bands and floats organised for the parade and we encourage all school children to attend and make and wear their own St Patricks badges for which we will have prizes on the day. We will also have a bucket collection on the street during the parade in support of the Glenties Community Response Fund so we hope for a big crowd to come out and support the parade. We ask you all for your support for these very worthy fundraisers which are for the benefit of the community.

The fund is a general fund being set up to help persons or families that may suffer unexpected tragedy or difficulty within their family such as a sudden loss of a family member abroad or a loss of property.

Teachers from Coláiste Na Carraige protest at the Junior Cycle changes.

Teachers from Donegal joined colleagues in a lunchtime protest over Junior Cycle concerns outside school gates around the country yesterday.

The protest was organised by second level unions TUI and ASTI.

Co. Donegal TUI Chairperson Noel Rodden said teachers will always support positive change that guarantees improvement.

“However, we are gravely concerned by the potential for damage posed by the new Junior Cycle proposals. Even at this late stage, there is an unacceptable lack of information about how the new Junior Cycle will work in practice and how it will be resourced.

“The move to school-based assessment raises serious questions regarding the validity and reliability of student results. In addition to this, overlapping assessments will increase the pressure on students. There is also a risk of deterioration in the pupil/teacher, teacher/parent relationship if teachers are to mark their own students for certification.

“As educators and practitioners, we believe that student achievement in the new Junior Cycle must be externally assessed and nationally certified by the State Examinations Commission.

“Rushed change for which adequate preparation has not been made can cause irreparable damage to the education system and the educational experience of students.’

Detailed below are a range of specific concerns teachers have over the proposed changes

Why are teachers concerned about the changes to Junior Cycle?

• There is an unacceptable lack of concrete information about how the new Junior Cycle will work in practice and how it will be resourced.

• Meaningful engagement and negotiation with teachers and their unions has not taken place.

• The system is simply not ready for change of such magnitude after six years of slash-and-burn austerity cuts to school resourcing and teacher numbers.

• The planned discontinuation of external assessment/moderation puts standards at risk

• The move to school-based assessment raises serious questions regarding the validity and reliability of student results.

• School-based certification will lead to unfairness and a lack of consistency in standards.

• Schools that cannot offer a broad curriculum or high visibility short courses will suffer. This means small schools, schools in rural areas and schools in disadvantaged areas will suffer.

• Some existing subjects could be downgraded or marginalised.

• There will be problems regarding the management, storage and security of assessment related materials.

• There is a real threat of an increased, bureaucratic workload that will deflect teachers from their core teaching role

• Principal teachers will experience a significant increase in administrative workload.

• The multiplicity of overlapping assessment events will increase pressure on an already overstretched and overworked teaching population. It will also significantly increase the pressure on students.

• The proposed changes take no account of the existing heavy workloads of teachers, including work being completed at home. The planned changes will result in further encroachment into teachers’ personal/family time.

• If teachers are to assume the role of marking their own students for certification, TUI is concerned that there will be a deterioration in the pupil/teacher, teacher/parent relationship.

• The terminal examination is a motivating focal point. Its removal may demotivate students.

• The removal of a terminal state examination at Junior Cycle will impair student capacity to choose subjects for Senior Cycle and will remove the experience of sitting a state examination.

Anchorman star Paul Rudd has hinted he may return to Donegal for a holiday with his family – after completing a four-day stag party with a host of celebrity friends.

Rudd told locals at a packed session at Mac’s Bar in Dunkineely at the weekend: “I’d love to come back and bring the family.”

The father of two – he has an eight-year-old son Jack and a four-year-old daughter Darby – spent the weekend with Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage, Blue Jasmine’s Bobby Cannavale, former Walking Dead actor Dallas Roberts as well as Joe Lo Truglio from Brooklyn Nine Nine.

“He was great craic,” said Peter O’Donnell who was at the session.

“He said he’d love to bring his wife and children over to Donegal. He was blown away by the hospitality.”

The group of 15  earlier watched the Ireland-Italy rugby game on Saturday afternoon in the Clock Tower in Killybegs – shouting ‘touchdown’ when Ireland scored a try!

Pub boss Ian Creighton said the group were really friendly to the many locals who came to chat to them.

The group also spend some time on Slieve League.

Rudd didn’t leave Donegal empty-handed; he bought Donegal GAA jerseys for his children!

Karl Lydon: Jailed

ONE of Donegal’s most notorious criminals is back behind bars today after being jailed – but gave the judge who jailed him a two-fingered salute on his way out of court.

Dunkineely crook Karl Lydon pleaded with Judge Paul Kelly at Letterkenny District Court not to be sent to jail, claiming he was a changed man.

Lydon was caught by Gardaí in January after he stole almost €3,000 worth of items from five cars during a crime spree in Ballybofey.

The 24-year-old had been given bail just two weeks before the incidents in relation to theft offences last October.

Lydon, with an address at Croke Gardens in Thurles, Co Tipperary, smashed his way into vehicles on The Beeches estate and took a laptop, an iPhone, bank cards, bottles of holy water and prayer books.

Gda Inspector David Kelly told the court that Lydon had 53 previous convictions – most of them relating to theft crimes including 11 for burglary, nine for theft, two for stealing cars, two for trespass and two convictions for handling stolen goods.

Defence solicitor Patsy Gallagher said Lydon’s life had taken a “wrong turn” after the death of his brother several years ago and he had turned to drink. In January he had fallen in with “the wrong crowd again”.

Judge Paul Kelly said however that Lydon had “gone out and committed seven further offences within a fortnight of leaving this court on bail.”

Mr Gallagher said his client would be best served with counselling to prevent further offending and asked for a probation report to be considered.

An animated Lydon gestured to be allowed to speak and entered the witness box to tell the judge: “I really really want this chance judge.

“I’ve put in for counselling in Tipperary.”

Inspector Kelly said he had no questions for Lydon, adding: “The offences speak for themselves.”

Judge Kelly jailed Lydon for six months for the thefts and gave him a further six months prison sentence for the other break-ins, to run concurrently.

Lydon was given two further three month concurrent sentences for two thefts last October and fined €240. The court heard all the items had been recovered.

As an angry Lydon left the court, he turned to the judge and gave him a two-fingered salute. Judge Kelly, who had moved on to the next case, didn’t see the gesture.

A 26 year old man who shouted ‘F*** the pigs” when approached by Gardai went very quiet when he was put into the back of a Garda van, a court has heard.

Letterkenny court.

Denis McCauley, of 4 Ard Na Ri, Long Lane in Letterkenny was ejected from the Pulse Nightclub on February 2nd last.

The father-of-two was shouting abuse at bouncers and wouldn’t settle down.

When approached by Gardai he took a step back and told officers “f*** the pigs, f*** the pigs – f*** off.”

McCauley, who has previous convictions for threatening and abusive behaviour, possession of drugs and having no insurance, was then arrested.

His solicitor Patsy Gallagher said his client was very much a Jeckyl and Hyde-type character when drink is taken.

“Once he was in transit van in the dark he became very quiet. I am asking the court to delve a bit deeper to see what avenues are available to him as is getting long in tooth.

“He is a Jeckyl and Hyde type of character but when drink is taken he falls into another twilight zone,” he said.

Speaking at Letterkenny District Court, Judge Paul Kelly said this was McCauley’s third conviction and that he seems to have an attitude problem with Gardai.

Solicitor Patsy Gallagher pleaded for one last chance for his client saying some of us start on another rung of the ladder in life than where McCauley started.

However, Judge Kelly said there is any amount of assistance for people who go and look for it.

He put the case back until May 12th for a probation report.

Gardai are investigating the theft of two cars from outside the same house in Letterkenny overnight.

The burglars broke into a house and stole the keys to the vehicles.

The two cars, a silver Peugeot 307 and a black Renault Clio, were taken from outside a house in the Long Lane.

The Peugeot’s registration is 07 DL 261 while the Renault’s is 12 WX 269.

The gang also stolen laptops and other items while in the house.

Nobody was hurt during the raid which took place in the early hours of the morning.

A Garda forensics team are at the scene of the burglary at present.

A Garda spokesman has appealed to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have noticed anybody acting suspiciously to contact them.

Local Sinn Fein Councillor Gerry Mc Monagle has strongly condemned those responsible for last night’s break-in.

Cllr Mc Monagle said “The Lady whose house was targeted by these thieves is one of the hardest working community activists in Letterkenny and someone who has dedicated her life to helping those who are most vulnerable in our community.

“The community of Letterkenny are very angry that this lady has become the most recent victim of these heartless thieves. I would appeal to anyone who has any information whatsoever to get in contact with the Gardai.

“These criminals must be caught. They have no place in our society, all they bring is anguish and hurt to our communities and the sooner they are caught the better,” he said.

A Donegal artist has struck gold after drawing a picture on a steamy window at his brother’s 50th birthday bash.

Jim’s window picture entitled Band of Brothers’.

Artist Jim Osborne was boiling the kettle at his brother’s home when he had an idea for a picture.

He sketched it onto the steamed up window and when it was captured by incoming light, Jim thought the result was perfect.

He took a picture of the steamed-up sketch and the results are breathtaking.

Now his Steamy Windows collection has caught on and is even being sold by art dealer Charles Saatchi for €350 each.

Not bad for a man who also earns a living with his window-cleaning company Shammy’s Window Cleaners!

Jim also works in other forms including watercolours.

But his name is graducally beginning to take off as the man behind steamy windows.

His current steamy windows art can be view at An Grianan Theatre in Letetrkenny

Roisin pictured with her husband Stephen

A DRINK-driver who killed a pregnant Co Donegal woman in a car crash has been sent back to jail after a judge ruled an original sentence was unduly lenient.

The DPP had taken the case to the Court of Criminal Appeal.

Kevin McArdle (31), of Longfield, Carrickmacross, was given four years in prison, with the final year suspended, at Monaghan Circuit Court in October 2011 for dangerous driving causing death, was “unduly lenient”.

The 31-year-old had drunk almost three-and-a-half times the legal alcohol limit and was on the wrong side of the road when he drove his BMW headlong into a car driven by Roisin’s husband Stephen on the Carrickmacross to Ardee road on December 27, 2010.

Mr Connolly’s wife Roisin (39) and their unborn child Catherine were killed. Glen Curtis and Paul Carroll, two 27-year-old friends who were passengers in McArdle’s car, also died.

McArdle, who was released last August, was sent back to prison for a year.

Presiding judge Mr Justice Donal O’Donnell, along with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, said it was a “very serious case of dangerous driving” which had killed three people.

The court substituted the original sentence with a sentence of six years, with the last two years suspended on the same terms as set down by the Circuit Court.

McArdle had drunk nine pints, was driving without insurance at the time of the offence and had previous convictions for drink-driving.

McArdle was led away to serve another year behind bars.

Roisin was originally from Balloor in Fanad and was born Roisin Lanagan.

She lived in Drumcondra in Dublin, had been had been returning from a visit to Fanad with her husband when the accident occurred. Her unborn child, named Catherine, died a short time later despite efforts by medical staff at the hospital to save her. She was laid to rest in Fanavolty, nine months after being married there.

Mrs Connolly had been visiting her mother Catherine who lives in Balloor and had been planning to return to Donegal for the remainder of her Christmas holidays.

The teacher was a frequent visitor to Fanad and had a large family circle in the peninsula and in Kilmacrenan. She was brought up in Fanad where she went to Doaghbeg National School before attending Loretto College in Milford. She moved to Britain in the 1980s where she attended teacher training college and she represented Manchester in the Mary from Dungloe festival in 1989.

Ladies North West Regional Cup Final

Kilcar B.C. 48 Donegal Town B.C. 56

Thanks to Ballyshannon Basketball club who hosted this Cup Finals in their excellent gym this season with 2 local south Donegal Rivals battling it out for the title. Donegal came into this as firm Favourites as they despateced a lively Blaze team in semi final. Kilcar on the other hand came in under the radar with a victory over Ballyshannon. A novel pairing it was but the game would indeed be very evenly balanced throughout with Donegal just doing enough to get over the line and retain the Cup Title. Lisa Mc Gill who would go on to earn the MVP was Donegal’s scorer in chief as she had 10 of Donegal’s 12 opening quarter points while Niamh Mc Fadden and Aisling Cunningham were prominent around the basket for Kilcar. Indeed the 2nd would be similar as Donegal struggled to beat the Kilcar zone with very little going right shooting wise. But Kilcar battled away and would not go away with some great scores and great defense as the quarter was shared 10 each. Into the third and still no change but Kilcar did forge ahead with scores from all different sources as they closed out the quarter with a 2 point win to go even in the game 38 each. A great atmosphere in the place as Kilcar looked to go ahead but it was the Donegal girls who got it together to scrape home as Tara Khan hit form along with the wonderful Lisa Mc Gill while 2 vital free throws from Maeve Liston was enough to see the girls over the line. A great performance from the Kilcar girls and with plenty of players should begin to rise up the league. Majella O Donnell and Aisleen Cunningham were Kilcar’s stand out performers in a great game along with Amy O Donnell, Sinead Mc Brearty, Aisling Kennedy and captain Niamh Mc Fadden. Donegal can thank Lisa Mc Gill MVP who was the difference between the 2 teams while Tara Khan, Charlene Mc Hugh and Kelly Harron also had big games. The game as well refereed by Billy Banda and Jay Mc Menamin.

Donegal Town B.C – Charlene Mc Hugh 3, Caroline Breslin 2, Lisa Mc Gill 27, Brid Murphy 2, Katy Herron, Tara Khan 11, Ruta Belazentyte, Rosa Devaney 2, Michaela Breslin 1, Maeve Liston 89, Kelly Harron, Claudia Coughlin, Louise Carr, April Gildea Coach Kevin Sinclair

Kilcar B.C. – Niamh Mc Fadden 3, Magella O Donn ell 13, Sinead Mc Brearty 6, Amy O Donnell 4, Ciara Cunningham, Aisleen Cunningham 12, Orlagh Carr 2, Niamh O Malley, Shannon Molloy, Rachel Mc Hugh Coaches Trina Mc Shane & Darina Mockler

BREAKING NEWS: The two cars stolen from outside a Letterkenny house during a burglary last night have been recovered.

The cars, a Renault Clio and a Peugeot 307, had been taken from outside a home in the Long Lane area.

The cars were found a short time ago in the vicinity of the Long Lane.

The cars are not damaged.

However it is understood the laptop, a wallet and a phone stolen in the creeper burglary are missing.

Nobody has yet been arrested in relation to the theft.

Sgt Paul Wallace has reminded people to make sure all valuables are kept out of sight at night and also to ensure that all windows and doors are locked.

Crime Prevention officer Wallace will be in the Letterkenny Shopping Centre today between 3 and 5pm to give advice on home security.

Do you know an outstanding young person in Donegal?

Junior Chamber International (JCI) Donegal are looking for nominations for outstanding young people between 18-40.

These nominations are being sought to identify young people in the community, who have done something outstanding. These top young people will be invited to an awards ceremony held in Donegal. Here the overall winner will be selected as Donegal’s ‘Outstanding Young Person of the Year’

These awards are to identity young dynamic people in the Donegal community. After the local awards the Donegal winner may go on to be recognised nationally and possibly internationally for their achievements.

Every year, Junior Chamber International selects 10 outstanding young people under 40 to be recognised for living the JCI Mission in extraordinary ways.

JCI feel, that highlighting the accomplishments of these young active citizens in a variety of fields will inspire others to be better and realise their full potential as active citizens.

There are several categories under which young people can be nominated. Each nominee must be entered in one, and only one, of the ten categories below.

Business, economic, and/or entrepreneurial accomplishment

Political, legal, and/or governmental affairs

Academic leadership and/or accomplishment

Cultural achievement

Moral and/or environmental leadership

Contribution to children, world peace, and/or human rights

Humanitarian and/or voluntary leadership

Scientific and/or technological development

Personal improvement and/or accomplishment

Medical innovation

Emma Boylan JCI President commented “This is a fantastic opportunity for Donegal to show the wealth of young people that we have in the County, not only locally, but hopefully to a national and international audience. From the set-up of JCI in Donegal, we have seen so many positive and inspiring young people. I have no doubt that we will have large variety of nominations for Donegal’s ‘Outstanding Young Person’ Awards”

The competition is free to enter. JCI Donegal would ask the community to take time to think about someone they feel has achieved something outstanding.

Nominations for ‘The Outstanding Young Person Award’ can be sent via email to jcidonegal@gmail.com. Give the name of the young person and a short description of why you feel they deserve the award. All nominees should be over 18.

Check out JCI Donegal on Facebook and Twitter for more information or call JCI Donegal President Emma Boylan on +353863303986.