Mark English has qualified for the 800m semi-final at the IAAF World Championships as a fastest loser.
English said he was "delighted" to qualify for his first global semi-final in Beijing this morning.
English finished fifth in his heat, but qualified as a fastest loser in 1:46.69.
Bosnia's Amel Tuka won the heat in 1:46.12.
"I’m through and I can look forward to tomorrow," said the UCD athlete and Letterkenny man afterwards.
English was knocked out at this stage of the competition in Moscow in 2013.
He added "I knew if I got boxed in and was sitting any further back than fourth I’d leave myself too much work to do like two years ago so I wanted to have no regrets. "
English will compete in the third semi-final tomorrow at 13:31 Irish time. The first two in each semi-final qualify automatically to the final along with two fastest losers.
Action from today's FAI Cup counter between Cockhill and Longford Town. Pics by Northwest Newspix.
The FAI Cup dream is over for Cockhill Celtic after Longford Town eventually came out on top by two goals to nil in this third round cup tie at Charlie O'Donnell Park.
After a cagey opening period, neither side stamped their dominance on the game.
But it was an unfortunate error by Cockhill's Jimmy Bradley which saw him blast into the roof of his own net when he was trying to clear in the 62nd minute.
Cockhill, buoyed on by the majority of the 350 or so supporters at the game, tried to draw level.
But ten minutes later the game was over as a contest.
Player/manager Gavin Cullen, a former goalkeeper with Finn Harps, managed to stop an initial effort by Longford's Lorcan Shannon rushed in to finish.
DONEGAL SFC: THREE second-half goals for St Michael's ensured a comfortable win for Eddie Harkin's side after a closely fought first-half.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Four Masters got off to a dream start when they found the net after just four minutes.
Good build up play involving Karl Lacey, Barry Dunnion and Barry Monagahan released Michael Doherty.
His fisted effort at a point looped over St Michael's goalkeeper Mark Anthony McGinley and hit the crossbar.
But Sean O Kennedy was on hand to blast home and give the home side a dream start.
St Michael's responded well and quickly levelled after a free from Colm McFadden and two great points from play by Christy Toye.
Andrew Kelly who was superb throughout then helped himself to three points (one free) to push St Michael's three ahead.
Daniel McLaughlin notched his first point of the evening to put four between the sides before Four Masters responded through a fine point from Sean O Kennedy.
Michael Langan then pointed to give St Michael's a four-point cushion at half-time.
Half-time score: Four Masters 1-01 St Michael's 0-08
St Michael's completely dominated the second-half and were utterly ruthless after the interval.
Points from Andrew Kelly, Michael Cannon and Martin McElhinney put eight between the sides.
Then St Michael's scored a goal through Ciaran 'The Rock' Gallagher and that really ended the game as a contest.
Gallagher's initial effort was well thwarted by the Four Masters goalkeeper, but the Donegal Town men were unable to clear their lines and Gallagher finished with his weaker right foot.
St Michael's added further goals through Colm McFadden and Daniel McLaughlin and led at one stage by FIFTEEN points.
Four Masters to their credit battled valiantly to the end and scored 1-2 without reply.
Michael Doherty dispatched a couple of frees and then scored from the penalty spot with virtually the last kick off the game.
St Michael's have all but secured their passage to the last eight, while Four Masters will need a win in their last match in order to reach the knockout stages.
A ruthless and clinical performance from St Michael's which only reaffirmed their status as genuine championship contenders.
Met Eireann has issued a Yellow Alert for the county for Sunday as a heavy band of rain sweeps across the country.
The alert is in place until 6pm on Sunday evening.
It follows a warm - and at times sunny day - on Saturday for much of Donegal.
BBC Northern Ireland says the worst of the heavy downpours will have passed Donegal by late afternoon.
However any hopes of a week of good weather before children return to school have been blown away by Met Eireann who say the rest of the week will also see high winds, showers and more rain.
The heavy and persistent rain will slowly clear on Sunday night, however there will be further showery outbreaks of rain overnight. Winds will be variable in direction with very strong and gusty winds on parts of the west coast, says the forecaster.
Cool and possibly windy on Monday with further showers or longer outbreaks of rain. Highest temperatures in the mid teens at best.
Tuesday may turn out to be a drier day with some sunshine, but with scattered showers too. Afternoon temperatures still around the mid teens.
Wednesday could start mainly dry also, but it looks like rain will develop during the day and this may turn heavy again later, with possibly strong winds as well. It will stay cool.
It seems likely that the unsettled weather will continue for the second half of next week as well.
Met Eireann warning in full.
Rainfall Warning for Leinster, Connacht, Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal
A spell of heavy and locally thundery rain, will move westwards across the Country, from the Irish Sea, later tonight and during Sunday. Some intense downpours can be expected at times. Totals of 30 to 40 mm are likely, highest over Leinster, where values on some mountains, may get up to 50mm.
Valid:Sunday 23 August 2015 00:01 to Sunday 23 August 2015 18:00
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.WITH the inter-county championship now a fading memory, the rivalry of the club county championship is in full swing this weekend - and O'Donnell Park on Sunday evening offers a mouth-watering prospect as Naomh Conaill arrive to take on reigning champions St Eunan's with a point to prove.
It's a 6pm throw-in so all the wind and rain predicted for earlier on Sunday will have passed and will surely add to the number of spectators wanting to see this clash.
Naomh Conaill are still hurting from the manner in which they exited last year's championship amid a refereeing row.
None of that, of course, had anything to do with St Eunan's.
But Naomh Conaill will want to go all the way this year and believe they have the team to do it.
The Glenties men lost in the league last weekend to a Dungloe side they've already beaten in the championship.
St Eunan's also have a championship win under their belts having beaten Ardara.
Dungloe host Ardara in the other clash in this group in Rosses Park with a 7pm throw-in.
DONEGAL SFC: A late, late free from Daire McDaid denied Naomh Muire a first ever senior championship win in a pulsating encounter in The Banks this evening.
Naomh Muire flew out of the traps and played some superb football and raced into a SIX point lead.
After fifteen minutes of play Gary Boyle's side led were in total control but missed TWO glorious goal chances and unfortunately for them they would be left to rue them.
Termon recovered brilliantly from Naomh Muire's blistering start and scored SEVEN points on the trot to go in at half-time ahead.
In the second-half both sides exchanged points before Termon found the net to go THREE ahead.
It looked like that could've been the crucial score but Naomh Muire showed tremendous character and fought back to go ahead.
It looked like they had earned a crucial, crucial win but there was late drama.
A free awarded in injury-time gave Termon the opportunity to draw level and that's what they done.
Daire McDaid landed a great point considering the pressure they were under and levelled the game.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.DONEGAL SFC: A five-star showing from Donegal star Odhran MacNiallais ensured Gaoth Dobhair got the result they craved against MacCumhaills in Ballybofey this evening.
MacNiallais scored FIVE points and pulled the strings in a superb display for Conal Sheridan's side.
Gaoth Dobhair went into the game without missing the services of a whole host of players and many fancied MacCumhaills to cause an upset.
However, Gaoth Dobhair had other ideas and they blew the Ballybofey men away with a ruthless first-half display.
The game was virtually over as a contest at half-time with Gaoth Dobhair leading 1-10 to 1-02.
Cian Mulligan's goal by cancelled out by Donegal starlet Marty O'Reilly but Gaoth Dobhair were too strong for the hosts.
Michael Carroll and Mulligan were lively throughout and MacCumhaills couldn't live with the pace and tempo of Gaoth Dobhair.
The first-half evidenced the growing gap between Division One and Division Two sides.
In the second-half Mac Cumhaills threw caution to the wind and were much the better side.
When Alan Patton netted they were back within FIVE but it was too little too late.
Eamon McGee and Shane Duffy were both sent off late on as tempers frayed.
In truth it was a comfortable win for Gaoth Dobhair and know a win against Malin next week will ensure their passage to the next stage of the Donegal SFC.
Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.A Dungloe underage starlet has won a competition which has enabled him to be a flag-bearer at today's All-Ireland semi-final between Kerry and Tyrone at Croke Park.
Daire Gallagher won a Supervalu competition which encouraged youngsters to talk about their GAA hero.
Daire wrote about his hero who is Donegal captain and talisman Michael Murphy.
His account of his GAA hero Michael Murphy was selected as the best by a judging panel and he won the competition.
Daire will now have the honour of representing his club today at Croke Park.
Daire will be the flag-bearer and will proudly lead the teams out in front of a packed house at Croke Park later this afternoon.
Gardaí in Buncrana are investigating the single vehicle fatal road traffic collision which occurred at Tooban, Burnfoot in the early hours of this morning at approximately 4.30a.m.
A male passenger (19 years), was fatally injured when the car he was travelling in left the road.
The male driver (19 years) and female passenger (19 years) were both removed to Letterkenny General Hospital and the female passenger is in a serious condition.
The scene has been preserved and Garda Forensic Collision Investigators are carrying out an investigation of the area. Diversions are in place.
Gardaí are appealing for witnessess or anyone who was travelling on the main Buncrana to Derry Road, or in the vicinity of Tooban to contact them at Buncrana Garda Station on 074 - 9320540, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.
Mark English (800m) has failed to qualify for the 800m finals at the World Championships in Beijing.
English had qualified as a fastest loser in his heat to make today's semi-finals.
Letterkenny native English produced a strong final lap to move from the back of the field and clinch fifth in 1:45.55 in the third semi-final.
Fourth place wouldn't have been enough for qualification; however, as the third and fourth-placed finishers in the first heat took the fastest-loser spots.
DONEGAL SFC: Former Donegal star Adrian Sweeney was the hero yet again for Dungloe as they overcame Ardara by the minimum in a sensational second-half comeback.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.Ardara blitzed Dungloe in the opening ten minutes and scored the first EIGHT points of the game.
It looked bleak for Dungloe but they got a lifeline with just ten minutes of the half remaining when Conor Greene showed deadly instinct and capitalized on a goalkeeping error by Declan Gallagher.
A long ball was launched into the square but Gallagher spilled it and Greene was on hand to fist home.
That was Dungloe's only score of the half and Ardara added two more before the break to lead by SEVEN at half-time.
In the second-half Dungloe were more direct and got a couple of scores from Conor Greene and Adam Neely.
They then roared back into when Darren Curran buried his effort past Gallagher and all of a sudden it was a two-point game.
Greene scored another free and that made it a one-point game with five minutes to go.
Ardara then got the next two points and led by THREE with just two minutes of normal time left.
It looked all over but up stepped 2003 Al-Star Adrian Sweeney who pointed a free to reduce the deficit to two.
From the resulting kick-out Dungloe won possession and the ball was fed inside to Sweeney who scored a beauty to bring Tony Boyle's side back to within a point of Ardara.
Dungloe got possession again and it was Sweeney who got his hands on the ball and fired over another great point to level the match.
Ardara were stunned and Dungloe had all the momentum after scoring three points in just two minutes.
As the game entered stoppage-time Darren Curran made a piercing run through the Ardara defence and he fed Conor Greene who fired over which sparked delirium among the Dungloe support.
Incredibly the drama wasn't over Ardara then squandered THREE glorious chances to snatch a draw but they failed to take any of their chances.
The Donegal County Childcare Census 2015 has revealed a shocking trend regarding children with special education needs across County Donegal.
Out of over 170 children with special needs participating in the free pre-school year, Donegal childcare providers have reported that 63% are unsupported by any form of grant assistance or specialist support.
The ratio of males to females is double and proportionally, the highest concentration of children not receiving specialist supports is in Glenties followed by Letterkenny and then the Inishowen region.
Avril McMonagle, Manager of Donegal County Childcare who commissioned the census survey says ‘This means that children are not getting the specialised supports they require to enable their full participation in pre-school and to achieve their full potential. On the most basic level, this can be caused by a service not having the funding to train a member of staff in language support skills or personal handling. For children who require one to one supervision and learning support, the situation can be untenable for not only the child with special needs, but all other children in the service’.
Donegal County Childcare have been informed that a report will be available next month from an interdepartmental group set up to address this situation which Government has recognised as ‘unsatisfactory’.
However Ms. McMonagle comments ‘yet another report identifying the problem without immediate action will not help children with special needs starting pre-school in Donegal this September. Pre-school providers have been struggling with this issue since the introduction of the free pre-school year in 2010 and five years on – internal political wrangling between departments has resulted in children all over the county being failed year after year’.
Currently there are huge deficits in mainstream pre-school provision for children with special needs – there is no specific budget available to train staff to provide specialised supports for children and special educational needs assistants are largely employed through fundraising activates.
Ms. Mc Monagle concluded ‘A ringfenced SEN support fund – accessible at local level through the County Childcare Committee needs to be central to budget negotiations from the HSE, Department of Education and Department of Children and Youth Affairs. One Department needs to take lead responsibly in this area and the perpetual, shameful buck passing must end’.
Former Donegal legend Manus Boyle rolled back the years on Saturday when he struck the winner for Killybegs in their Reserve Championship clash against neighbours Kilcar.Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Boyle, 49, famously scored NINE points for Donegal and delivered a man-of-the-match display in the historic 1992 All-Ireland win over Dublin.
Fast forward TWENTY-THREE years later and the forward is still doing the business for his club.
In a very close contest Killybegs narrowly edged out Kilcar with Boyle showing all his class and experience to knock over a late winner for the fishermen.
While most of his All-Ireland winning colleagues have been enjoying their retirement over the years and with many taking up management positions Boyle hasn't hung up the boots yet.
After notching the winner on Saturday he may be tempted to play on for another year at FIFTY years of age.
As the old saying goes form is only temporary, class is permanent and in the case of Manus Boyle that is very true.
DONEGAL MARATHON PICTURE SPECIAL: A huge crowed of participants took part in the Donegal Marathon on Sunday morning despite the utterly dreadful weather conditions that greeted them.
It was a great event that was again superbly organised and well coordinated and the marathon now looks set to become a permanent fixture in the athletics calendar here in Donegal.
North-West Newspix braved the inclement weather conditions and sent Donegal Daily a whole host images that ranged from smiles to grimaces.
INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP: Both teams travelled to Carndonagh on Saturday night for the championship games. Disappointing night as both teams lost their matches. Final score- Reserve Intermediate championship Carndonagh 0-10 Urris 0-09. Final score in Senior game Carn 1-08 Urris 0-09. Image may be NSFW. Clik here to view.
Both teams make the long trip to Glencolcille on Saturday night to play Naomh Columba in the next round of the Intermediate Championship.
MATCH "N" WIN: Match "N" Win August 20th: No jackpot winner. Numbers drawn: 7, 19, 23 & 24. €15 winners:
Anne Mc Gilloway, Roxtown.
Daniel Wilson, Buncrana.
Annie Duffy, Urris.
Bridget & Kathleen, C/o Bingo.
Bridget Harkin, Malin Head.
Jackpot next week €1,700. Thanks to all our lotto sellers and to all who support the club in this weekly lotto.
MINOR LADIES FOOTBALL: Our girls played Glenfin in Newtown on sunday in their semi final match but were beaten by a much stronger team on the day.
A Level 1 Coaching Course: Course to start early September has been applied for by the Dgl ladies Dev. Officer.
Club Coaches who have a Fundamentals Coaching course covering ladies football accredited by Coaching Ireland. Any ladies interested please let David Hession know asap so he can book places.
U16 FOOTBALL:Lads have two games to play in the Championship. We will keep you updated on our Facebook page with fixture dates.
U13 GIRLS GAELIC FOOTBALL: Our girls play their first match on Saturday with Carndonagh the visitors to Straid. Check our facebook page for times. U12/13 girls training on Wednesday from 2pm to 3.30pm in Straid. Any girls 13 this year and wishes to play please come on Wednesday.
DATES FOR THE DIARY: Big Bingo on Sunday October 18th and Gigs & Reels on October Bank Holiday weekend. More details to follow.
BINGO: Bingo every Thursday night in St. Mary's Hall, Clonmany at 9pm.
