Photo - Donegal Democrat

Dr.Kenna Cup Results
Tyrone 1-13 v 0-13 Donegal
Derry 1-21 v 1-12 Monaghan

Mickey Harte returned to the dugout on an emotional day as Tyrone beat Donegal 1-13
to 0-13 in the Dr.Mc Kenna Cup at Edendork. A minute’s silence in memory of the Tyrone manager’s late daughter Michaela was held before the start.  In the earlier stages Tyrone lead 1-6 to 2pts thanks to a Mark Donnelly goal. Donegal hit back with eight unanswered scores to lead by a point at the break. Points from Tyrone’s big game players such as Brian McGuigan, Enda McGinley, Aidan Cassidy and Ryan McMenamin steadied the ship and Donegal were never able to close the gap before the final whistle.

Mickey Harte spoke to the media after the game.
 

The Donegal County Board is set to make a plea with the Ulster Council to allow Jim Mc Guinness add to his squad for this weekends game with Fermanagh. Due to injuries and flu the Donegal manager had just 17 fit players available to him for yesterdays game against Tyrone. With squad restrictions in place Mc Guinness fears he may not have the numbers for the game with the Erne County.

Jim Mc Guinness gave his reaction to Charlie Collins after yesterday’s game.
 

In Section B of the Dr. Kenna Cup, Derry secured a placed in the semi finals with their third victory in row. The Oak Leafers beat Monaghan 1-21 to 1-12 at Celtic Park. Conleth Gilligan hit 1-6 while Paddy Bradley notched up 7 points as the north west county booked their place in the last four.

Donegal SW Deputy Dinny Mc Ginley has been chosen as the sole candidate for Fine Gael in the forthcoming election.

Four candidate has declared for the convention yesterday.

Two of them, Cllr Martin Harley and Ballyshannon Cllr John Meehan withdrew from the contest, with Deputy Mc Ginley then securing the nomination in a two way contest between himself and Cllr Barry O’Neill

A house in the Fairgreen Hill area of Letterkenny remains sealed off by gardai amid reports that a man sustained a serious stab wound in an overnight attack.

Gardai havn’t commented on the stabbing reports, but have confirmed they are investigaing a serious assault on a man in his late 30s.

The man is being treated in hospital, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Fianna Fail in Inishowen has decided to hold a selection convention in Buncrana on Thursday night to choose a candidate for the peninsula.

A meeting of the party in Inishowen last night heard that three people, Cllr Rena Donaghey, Senator Cecilia Keavney and Cllr Charlie Mc Conalogue had been nominated. Cllr Donaghey withdrew her name, saying she would support whatever decisions were made at convention.

It was then unanimously agreed that Cllr Mc Conalogue and Senator Keavney will contest the convention at the Inishowen Gateway Hotel.

Philip Mc Laughlin is a spokesperson for the Fianna Fail organisation in Inishowen………..

Details have emerged today of the NRA’s road allocations for Donegal this year, with just under €19.5 million set aside for projects in the county.

Just over a million euro for the completion of design work on the Letterkenny Lifford Road and the link between that road and the improved A5 in Northern Ireland.

Deputy Niall Blaney says it is a vitally important allocation, and brings the link timetable back on track…………..

Meanwhile, Senator Brian O’Domhnaill is welcoming the inclusion of a number of astretches on the N56, with almost €2.5 million set aside for improvements on the Dungloe Glenties Road and €1.5 on the Mountcharles to Inver stretch.

However, he says it is regrettable that there is no provision this year for the advancement of the Twin Towns by-pass, and that’s something he will be raising with the NRA………..

Highland Radio News has been getting the reaction locally to Brian Cowens decision in the past hour.

Fianna Fail Senator and Donegal South-West General Election candidate Brian O Domnhaill, who had called for a change of leadership earlier today, welcomed Brian Cowens decision……

Meanwhile, Donegal North East Deputy Niall Blaney, says hes shocked by Brain Cowens decision.

And as for who will lead the party into the next General election, he isn’t putting his support behind anyone as of yet…..

And members of the opposition locally have said Brian Cowen has made the wrong decision,  Donegal South West Sinn Fein Deputy, Pearse Doherty, says Brian Cowen should have also resigned as Taioseach today………

Brian Cowen has resigned as leader of Fianna Fail.

The Offaly TD will remain on as Taoiseach until the general election on the 11th of March.

Speaking at a press conference in Dublin Mr Cowen says stories about him are taking away from the work of the party…

Meanwhile bookmakers have been quick to issue odds as to who the next FF leader will be. Michael Martin is the odds on favourite, if punters fancy Donegal Deputy Mary Couglan’s chances – odds of 50-1 are available.

Oyster fishermen took to the waters of  the Foyle today in potest at what they say are unreasonable restrictions imposed by the Loughs Agency.

The two hour protest fish, which ended at 11.30 this morning, was coordionated by the Lough Foyle Oyster Sub-Committee.

The committee this week offered prior notice to the agency that a number of vessels would be exercising their traditional oyster fishing rights this morning as a legitimate protest against the Loughs Agency and the regime that they act within.

Committee Chairperson Paul Mc Laughlin says since 1997, the Loughs Agency has sidelined the traditional oyster fishery, and they want an inquiry into how the Foyle has been managed….

Fianna Fail TDs are expected to consult party supporters in each of their constituencies this weekend on Brian Cowen’s position as party leader.

It follows the former Minister for Foreign Affairs call on the party’s TDs to reflect on their support for the Taoiseach in Tuesday’s confidence vote.

Fianna Fail Senator Brian O Domnhail says he believes huge damage has been done to the party in the past week, and thats been reflected by members of the organisation in the constituency…….

And the Donegal South West General Election candiate also said it’s time for a change of leadership……

Donegal Senator Cecilia Keavney says she believes the Irish government’s commitment to funding the improvements to the A5 in Northern Ireland is now absolute.

The Taoiseach and five ministers discussed the issue during today’s talks with their Northern Ireland counterparts in Co Armagh.

Senator Keavney says the A5 was discussed, and her understanding is that binding commitments have now been made, in line with previous submissions she made to the former transport minister Noel Dempsey…………