Noamh Conaill booked their place in the Donegal Senior Championship Final after a dramatic finish against Glenswilly on Sunday. The Glenties men hit 2-2  in the final three minutes to see off a stunned Glenswilly side at the O’Donnell Park in Letterkenny. The Glen lead by  five points with ten minutes to go thanks to goals from Colin Kelly and Michael Murphy. Noamh Conaill rallied to the end and pulled off two late goals from the Thompson brothers Anthony and Leon to book a visit to Ballybofey on County Final day. Who they will play is not yet known as Four Masters and Killybegs must meet again after Saturday’s semi final ended in a ten points apiece draw. That replay will take place this Sunday.

Donegal Senior Championship Semi Finals.
Noamh Conaill 2-13 v 2-8 Glenswilly
Four Masters 0-10 v 0-10 Killybegs

Fai Senior Cup 4th Round
Finn Harps 0 v 1 Sligo Rovers

At the end of a difficult week, Harps make their exit from the FAI Cup against high flying Sligo Rovers. The visitors just about deserved the win but to their credit, Harps made a real fight of it in the second half and in the end the Premiership side were fortunate to advance. Harps captain Packie Mailey was penalised for hauling down Matthew Blinkhorn inside the area and from the resulting penalty, Sligo defender, Alan Keane sent Gavin Cullen the wrong way. So it’s Sligo who advance – last year’s beaten cup finalists look a good bet to go all the way again this year. For Harps – they must now face into the closing nine league games of the season knowing that the best they can hope for is a few decent results and a mid-table finish in Division One.

Finn Harps Manager James Gallagher
 

Sligo Manager Paul Cook
 

Donegal’s Philip Deignan will return to the place of his greatest triumph with the news that he has been selected on the final line up for the Cervelo Test Team’s squad for the Vuelta a Espana (Tour of  Spain). The Swiss team has shown confidence in the Letterkenny rider, who won a stage and finished ninth in last year’s Vuelta but hasn’t shown the same form since. The race starts in Seville on Saturday 28th August and Deignan’s main goal will be to help his teammate, 2008 Tour De France winner Carlos Sastre win the Vuelta.

Two Donegal girls, Ciara Grant of Kilmacrennan Celtic and Tanya Kennedy of Finn Valley have been included in the Republic of Ireland Women’s U17 squad for next months FIFA World Cup.  Grant is one of the most senior members of the Irish squad and has also featured in the under 19 team in the UEFA Championship qualifiers. Ciara was crowned the FAI/eircom women’s U17 player of the year in 2008.

Defender Kennedy now in her second year with the U17 squad was nominated for the player of the year award in 2008.
The tournament in Trinidad and Tobago starts for the Irish on Monday 6th September against Brazil, with games to follow against Canada and Ghana.

Donegal’s Nora Stapleton played her part in Ireland’s first victory at the Women’s Rugby World Cup against the USA on Tuesday Night.  The Fahan girl who is better known for her Gaa connection plays her rugby with Old Belvedere and Leinster. Stapleton has played full games in the opening two fixtures.  Having lost out in the first match last weekend to the hosts England, the 22-12 win over the American’s was very much needed to keep any hopes alive of a semi final spot. Ireland’s third pool B game is this Saturday against Kazakhstan.

It was confirmed on Monday Night that Jonathan Minnock has left Finn Harps and returned to the Ulster Senior League. The defender was told at the weekend along with Michael Funston, that they were no longer part of James Gallaghers plans. Minnock makes his return to intermediate football by signing for Swilly Rovers, taking up the role as player manager.

Donegal Manager Jim Mc Guinness has added former defender Damien Diver to his backroom team. The Ardara man  will work as a strenght and conditioning coach for players in the south and will also act as a defensive coach. Mc Guinness has also confirmed  he is still on the look out for one more mentor to his team and that he has spoken to a number of people but has yet to finalise the matter.

Mark English (Letterkenny AC ) finished 8th in Sundays 1.000 meters final at the youth Olympics in Singapore. Held in very warm conditions of 35 degrees, the fast early pace was set by Sudanese athlete Abdelrahman who went through 400 meters in 53.70, with Geleto of Ethiopia going through 800m in 1.53.15. English moved to the front of the bunch at the 300 meters mark but when Geleto kicked for home at 200 he split the field apart, with the Letterkenny man unable to maintain contact. In the resulting bunch sprint to the line he finished eight in a time of 2.24.95, just outside his best of 2:24.53. Geleto took gold in an impressive 2.19.94 with silver going to the fast finishing Driouch of Qatar 2.21.25 and Briton Charlie Grice got up for bronze in 2.21.85.

While disappointed at not making the medals this has been a fantastic season for English and he can look forward to the future with confidence.
Mark spoke with Myles Gallagher on Sunday Sport.
 

The Irish Athletic team at the games was also coached by Donegal’s Bernie Alcorn.

League of Ireland Division One Results
Finn Harps 3 v 2 Salthill Devon
Limerick FC 0 v 1 Derry City

Chris Breen was the Finn Harps hero as they came from behind to grab all three points against a lively but lowly Salthill Devon side at Finn Park on Friday night.Having rejoined his local club after spending the best part of two years travelling the southern hemisphere, Breen was sprung from the bench for what was his first appearance on Navenny Street in 21 months with the score tied at 2-2 and scored the vital goal on 76 minutes.
This Friday 27^th August Harps host Sligo Rovers in FAI Senior Cup.
Finn Harps Manager James Gallagher.  

Derry City remain seven points clear at the top after a one nil win at Jackman Park. Mark Farren scored the only goal of the game in the 46th minute to give the Candystrips the full haul of points and their first win in three games.

Paul McCloskey will enjoy home comforts for the second defence of his European Light Welterweight title against Barry “The Bizness” Morrison on the Hunky Dorys Fight Night at The Aura in Letterkenny on Saturday, October 2^nd. The unbeaten Dungiven southpaw will be returning to the scene of his victory over former World Champ Cesar Bazan in 2008 as European Championship Boxing comes to Donegal for the very first time. McCloskey is currently rated number 4 in the World by the WBC and he will be looking to press his claims for a shot at the World’s elite with the likes of Amir Khan and undefeated Americans Tim Bradley and Devon Alexander considered the marquee names in the Light Welterweight division.

Paul is looking forward to his return to Letterkenny.
 

In the chief supporting contest in Letterkenny unbeaten Cavan star Andy Murray faces a major step up in class in an International ten round contest and Donegal’s own Michael Mc Laughlin will make his pro debut on the night.

Donegal youngster Mark English (Letterkenny AC) has qualified for Sunday’s 1.000 meters final of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. Mark participated in round 1 on Wednesday 18th at 10.30 AM in the Bisham stadium. The talented Donegal man who had won his Youth Olympic trial race in Moscow in May with a time of 2:24.53 took the race up from the gun leading the field through intermediate time’s of 58.74 at 400 meters and 1.57.54 at 800 meters to finish 4th in 2.25.39 and 6th fastest from the two heats with 12 fastest to qualify. Mark will participate in the final on this Sunday 22nd at 10.20 local time 3.20am Irish time.

Dublin stunned Ulster champions Tyrone by 1-15 to 0-13 to reach the GAA Football Championship semi-finals at the weekend.

Dublin will play Cork in the semi finals

Bernard Brogan’s nine-point haul and an Eoghan O’Gara goal saw off Tyrone in a exciting encounter.

Tyrone who led narrowly at half-time, but Dublin finally got over the psychological barrier, and hit form in the second half.

Derry’s lead at the top of the Airtricity First Division has been cut to 10 points following a draw with Finn Harps

Mark Farren put City ahead after three minutes with a close-range finish.

Harps were  stronger in the second half and their pressure paid off when Packie Mailey headed in on 68 minutes.

Mark Farren got his second and restored Derry’s lead whenpounced to score for the Candystripes after good work Pat McEleney.

Harps went on the attack after the break with chances for Tony Shields and Tommy Bonnar  before Mailey netted an  equaliser from a Jonathan Minnock  corner.

Packie Mailey gave this reaction to Diarmuid Doherty after the match:

Ireland’s Jason Smyth was placed a very credible fourth in the first of the men’s 100m semi-finals at the European Championships in Barcelona. The City of Derry unfortunately missed out on a final place. Smyth ran 10.42 to finish behind Britain’s Mark Lewis-Francis who later in the night went on to win the silver medal in the 100m final. The eventual winner of the event was Christophe Lemaitre of France. Smyth, who is partially sighted and the first Paralympian to compete at these Championships was almost getting more media attention in the mixed zone than French star Lemaitre after the semi final.

On reflection Jason says the championsips went well.
 

On Monday night the 26th of July, Glenties man Jim Mc Guinness was ratified as Donegal Senior Team Manager at a County Commitee Meeting. Mc Guinness has taken the job for a four year term.
On Wednesday Nights GAA Programme the new county boss spoke indepth with Tom Comack.

Part1
 

Part2
 

Derry’s Jason Smyth created a double-dose of history at the European Championships in Barcelona on Tuesday Evening. The Irishman became the first paralympic athlete to compete in the championships and then went one better by qualifying for Wednesday evening’s semi finals of the 100 metres. Smyth looked strong finishing 4th in Heat 5 in 10.43 seconds. The City of Derry athlete who won Gold in the 100m and 200m at the 2008 Paralympics suffers from a disorder that causes significant loss of eyesight.

Jason spoke with Will Downing after his fantastic performance…
 

At Monday nights County Committee Meeting in Ballybofey Jim Mc Guinness was ratified as the new Donegal Senior Team Manager on a four year term. Guinness who was the only nomination for the job will also be staying in his role as Under21 Manager. The Glenties man has named his backroom team with Peter Mc Ginley and Pat Shovlin part of his Under21 set up coming on board, Maxi Curran will be on video analysis and County Development Officer Michael Mc Menamin will act as logistics official. Mc Guinness will also named another member of the backroom team at a later date. It’s believed the person for that job will come in with an experienced background.

The new Senior Team Manager is in no doubt of the task ahead.
 

McGuinness is now weighing up who will be available for his first year in charge. He  added that belief within a squad will be key to move on.
 

Hear more from Jim Mc Guinness on Wednesday Nights GAA Programme with Tom Comack at 8.30pm

Donegal Senior Championship Semi Final Draw
Glenswilly v Noamh Conaill
Four Masters v Killybegs

Donegal Senior Championship Quarter Final Results
Four Masters 0-11 v 1-5 St.Eunan’s
Killybegs 1-8 v 1-7 Dungloe
Noamh Conaill 1-10 v 0-10 St. Michaels

All Ireland Minor Ladies Football Championship Final
Galway 1-15 v 1-11 Donegal

Donegal’s hopes of back to back  All Ireland Minor crowns came crashing down on Saturday afternoon in Ballinmore, Co. Leitrim following a four point defeat to the Connacht side. Galway scored the opening goal of the game early in the first half and after that Donegal found it difficult to close the gap. Towards the end it increased to seven points but a Ciara Grant goal in the last minute left the final score 1-15 to 1-11. Geraldine Mc Laughlin scored 0-10  of  Donegal’s total.

League Of Ireland First Division
Derry City 1 v 0 Salthill
Cork City 2 v 1 Finn Harps

Derry City continue to hold a commanding position at the top of the First Division, moving twelve points clear of the chasing pack with their fifteenth win at the Brandywell. Thomas McBride scored for the third consecutive game but City struggled to dispatch a dogged Salthill Devon side.  The Candystripes struck after 25 minutes and whilst many expected the home side to push on from there, it was not to be on a frustrating night.

Finn Harps suffered their ninth defeat of the season on Friday Night at Turners cross going down to Cork City by two goals to one. The Donegal club who started new signings goalkeeper Gavin Cullen and midfielder Tony Shields were two down five minutes into the second half. Harps did pull a goal back through Mark Brolly on sixty five minutes but failed to push for an equalizer after that.

Harps manager James Gallagher said it was a difficult night given the long round trip to Cork and back….