Harps striker Kevin McHugh and ‘A’ team Manager Paddy Foy take the managerial reigns on an interim basis for Finn Harps on Friday night as Harps look for their first victory of the season as they make the trek to Tolka Park to face high flying Shelbourne. Harps have yet to win a game in 2011, and last week’s defeat to Longford Town saw James Gallagher and his assistant Anthony Gorman lose their jobs.  Incidentally, that defeat to Longford saw two long records come to an end – it was the first time since 7th May 2010 that Harps had lost a home league game, and Marc Brolly’s second-half goal brought to an end Harps goalscoring drought which has lasted 551 minutes. McHugh himself is rated doubtful for the game and will have a late fitness test on a knee injury that seen him miss last week’s defeat to Longford. Paddy Mc Laughlin and Conor O’Grady are definitely out of the clash.

Tyrone’s championship hopes have received a major boost with Philip Jordan’s imminent return to the squad. Speculation that the All-Star wing back had played his last game for the Red Hands intensified when he failed to travel with the squad for the final NFL game against Meath. Having taken three weeks to consider his future, the treble All-Ireland winner has decided to commit to the summer, and has confirmed he is to return to training tonight (Thurs). “It just came down to establishing whether or not I had the hunger for another championship run.  There’s a serious amount of commitment needed to prepare for an Ulster Championship and an All-Ireland run if you’re lucky enough to get that far.  It’s not just about turning up to games and togging out.  You need to be mentally prepared,” he said. “I’ve been in contact with a few of the boys over the last couple of weeks but I can assure people that the final decision is my own.  I’ll be at training on Thursday night and I’ll be ready to work hard with the rest of the lads to win a place on the team for the Monaghan game.”

Independent Deputy Thomas Pringle has revealed that he spent €6,900 in his General Election campaign.

He says his sucess shows you dont have to spent a vast amount of money to be elected

And Deputy Pringle believes the main political parties, who all spent over €20,000 in the by-election in November, spent a lot more in the General Election..

An Independent candidate in last Novembers Donegal South-West Dáil by-election has been referred to an Garda Síochána over her failure to submit a statement outlining her election expenses.

Dunfanaghy-based businesswoman Ann Sweeney was one of six candidates.

The Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) today revealed that Sweeney had been the only candidate not to return a Donation Statement or an Election Expenses Statement, the latter being required under Irish election law.

With Sweeney still to issue a statement of her expenses, or to disclose any donations, the matter has therefore been referred to an Garda Síochána.

Speaking to Highland Radio News this morning Ms Sweeney said that she had hardly no expenses to declare and that she had been too busy to send away the required forms to the Standards in Public Office.

Meanwhile, SIPO said it had not found evidence of any candidate spending more than the allowed amount, with no candidate exceeding the individual limit of €30,150.

The highest-spending candidate was Labour councillor Frank MacBrearty Jr, who spent €29,916, while Fine Gael’s Barry O’Neill spent €28,987. Fianna Fáil senator Brían Ó Domhnaill spent €27,203, of which €630 was met from public funds, while winner, Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty spent €24,939.

Independent candidate Thomas Pringle – who won a seat in the constituency in February’s general election – spent €3,995.

Donegal VEC are looking at the possibility of using the old Finn Valley College as an Adult and Education Training Centre.

It’s hoped the building could be used to train VEC staff-teachers, caretakers, administration and VEC members, parents associations and student counsel.

The old Finn Valley College was refurbished in 2003 and has seven classrooms, three offices, male and female toilets and up to date ICT in all rooms.

Donegal County Councillor and VEC member Patrick McGowan said he thinks the centre is in a great location also:

Donegal County Councillor Jimmy Harte has been elected to the Seanad on the Industrial and Commercial Panel.

The Labour Councillor was deemed elected on the 22nd count yesterday evening. He was the first candidate to make the quota on the panel.

After the 22nd count he has a total of 115, which was 8 votes over the quota.

Speaking to Highland Radio News just after he was elected, Senator Jimmy Harte said he was delighted…..

he Real IRA, which has threatened to kill more PSNI officers, has refused an offer from a Derry priest to hold talks with him.

The group said police officers would be targeted “regardless of their religion, culture background or motivation”.

The threat was made in a statement at a rally in Derry on Monday.

Fr Michael Canny, who made the offer, said he hoped talks would happen in the future…..

The family of murdered PSNI officer Ronan Kerr have placed a notice in this mornings newspapers thanking those who helped with his funeral.

The 25-year-old Catholic constable died when a booby-trap bomb exploded under his car in Omagh earlier this month.

In the notice, his mother Nuala, brothers Cathair and Aaron, sister Dairine and wider family expressed their “heartfelt thanks”.

They paid special tribute to the roles of the GAA and the PSNI in the service.

They also paid tribute to the politicians and church leaders who attended the funeral, including Cardinal Sean Brady for his “strong and moving plea to the congregation and wider community”.

They also gave special thanks to those who attended to Constable Kerr following the attack, including the fire service, PSNI and ambulance service.

The notice added that it is being issued on behalf of members of the Kerr family across Ireland and around the world, including those in London and Canada.

A month’s mind mass for Constable Kerr is due to be held in the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Beragh at 3 o clock on 3 May.

With the counting of votes in the Seanad Election continuing, Donegal Cllr Jimmy Harte remains in a strong position. After the 12th Count has has 74 votes, 32 off the quota, and remains in fourth place with nine seats to be filled.

The other Donegal candidate, Danny Byrne, was eliminated after the 10th count, at which point he had 17 votes.