All Ireland Vocational Schools Semi Final
Donegal 2-6 v 0-6 Meath

Donegal booked their place in the All Ireland Vocational Schools Final on Saturday with a six point win over Meath in Ballyconnell, Cavan.After a nervous start Donegal steadied the ship on twenty two minutes with a goal from Sean Boyle. Donegal lead at the break 1-3 to 0-3. The second goal was scored in the forty ninth minute by John O Malley to help send his  side through to their first All Ireland Vocational Final since 2002.

Tom Comack spoke to Manager John Joe O Shea after the game.
 

Road Hauliers from across the country are in Letterkenny today to protest over the spiralling cost of fuel and the impact it is having on the Haulage Industry.

John McLaughlin first muted the idea this week, since then he says, he has been overwhelmed by interest in the protest.

He is urging Hauliers, farmers, taxi drivers and anyone else against the increasing cost of fuel is invited to attend.

Speaking to Highland Radio News yesterday, Mr McLaughlin says the next government must address the issue:

Concern is being expressed at long delays for neurology referrals at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry.

It’s emerged today that it is taking up to a year for what are being referred to as routine neurology referrals to get appointments.

However, Foyle MLA Pol Callaghan says the recent radiology scandal has shown how possible urgent cases can be missed, and it’s vital that resources are delivered now to meet projected demand..

An Bord Pleanala has given planning permission for the development of a controversial wind farm in Glenties, with clearance given for 13 turbines, significantly less than the original number applied for.

10 parties had opposed or expressed concerns about the development including the Irish Peatlands and Conservation Group.

Pj Malloy had initially applied for permission for the construction of a wind farm 7 kilometres Northeast of Glenties comprising 35 wind turbines, control building, compound, access and all associated site works. Previous directions from the County Council had reduced this to 109 turbines.

Despite objections the planning board has granted conditional planning permission for the project.

Conditions include that a further 6 turbines be omitted from the scheme which shall be allowed for a period of 25 years – turbines will also be restricted in size.

While construction is ongoing a management plan must be put in place to monitor the impact on the local environment and wildlife, this must be agrees with The national parks and wildlife service before work starts.

A number of directives have been introduced to protect local residents – these relate to turbine noise and possible interference with TV and Radio reception amongst others.

The young man critically injured in the early hours of yesterday morning on the outskirts of Letterkenny has died.

20 year-old Shane Bonner, from Convoy was on a life-support machine after being hit by a truck at Lurgybrack Hill  at around 4.20am yesterday morning.

It is understood his family allowed his organs be donated.

Shane was a well liked and successful athlete – Patsy McGonagle, the manager of the Irish athletics team, has been speaking of his achievements:

Friday 18th of February  – Donegal South West

In studio was Mary Coughland FF, Thomas Pringle IND , John Duffy GREEN , Pearse Doherty SF and Stephen McCahil IND

Part one

Part two:

Former TD Dr James Mc Daid has said the collapse in support for Fianna Fail is embarrasing, but he remains a member of the party and is campaigning for Charlie Mc Conalogue in Donegal North East.

Speaking on today’s Shaun Doherty Show, Dr Mc Daid said while he lost the Fianna Fail whip in the Dail, he never left the party, and is continuing to support the party and its candidate.

Dr Mc Daid also claimed that Sinn Fein’s massive increase in support in Donegal is due to an anti Fianna Fail protest vote, and he’s urging voters in that situation to consider Independent candidate Betty Holmes.

He says Sinn Fein can say anything they want, because they will not be in government in the republic……

The detection of animal and human waste in public drinking water supplies halved between 2008 and 2009 according to figures published today by the Environmental Protection Agency.

However, the report finds that, despite improvements, contamination levels of E.coli are still five times higher than found in comparable supplies in England and Wales.

In Donegal, there was one e-coli case reported in 2008 in Creeslough, and one in 2009, in Pettigo.

There were no directions issued to Donegal County Council in 2009, and one in 2008, relating to the lack of  treatment at the old public water supply in Lifford.

Niall McKenna will make his first Tyrone start in this weekends NFL North West derby clash against Donegal. McKenna who came on as a sub in the defeat by Derry, replaces Aidan Cassidy at midfield for Saturday evening’s encounter. The other changes in the starting line up for Tyrone are Aidan McCrory and Davy Harte taking over from Damien McCaul and PJ Quinn in defence. Owen Mulligan has been named among the subs having returned from Australia.

North West sportsmen and women have featured in this years €25.6 million euro funding by the Irish Sports Council.  Athletes in the top-level podium bracket will each receive a 40 thousand euro grant for next season. Included in this section are Derry’s Tyrone mc Cullagh and City of Derry’s paralympic athlete Jason Smyth. Derval O’Rourke, Olive Loughnane, Paul Hession, European swimming silver medalist Grainne Murphy and a further seven of the Irish boxing team have also been granted podium category-level funding. Donegal cyclist Philip Deignam has been award 20 thousand euro in the world class category, while a further six have been allocated 12 thousand under the international category. They are boxers Jason Quigley, William McLaughlin and Eamon O Kane, swimmer Ryan Harrison, tri athlete Aileen Morrison and Raphoe’s badminton Olympian Chloe Magee. The Donegal Sports Partnership has been awarded over €200.000 euro. It’s also been confirmed that the Gaelic Player Grant Scheme will be retained.