Sport archives for November 2000

28th November	GAA Club Call - Ard An Ratha. Flotto There was no winner of our weekly flotto. The numbers drawn were 5, 16, 20 and 21. The nearest were Eddie Doherty, Front Street and Frankie McHugh, Laconnell. This weeks jackpot stands at £2,500.00 and the sellers are John McBrearty, Paul Collum, John M. O'Donnell, Brian McGill (Maghera), Brian Og McGill and Jackie Gallagher. Parish League Final The U-12 Parish League Final takes place this Saturday at 2.30 p.m. in Pearse Memorial Park. The A final will be contested by Fergus McBrearty's Team and Conal Gildea's Team, the B Final will be contested by Stephen Boyles team and Pete-So Cannon Team. We hope to see a good crowd to support the teams. Scor The Scor semi-finals take place in Ballybofey on this coming Saturday evening at 8.00 p.m. Cliona Heena will represent the Club in Solo Singing and James Hegarty, Dallan Byrne and Martin Shovlin in the Quiz Team. We wish them good luck from the Club. Dinner Dance Tickets for this years Dinner Dance will go on sale on this Friday 1st December from Divers Shop. The function will take place in the Blue Haven on Thursday 28th December with music by Paul and Mary B. People intending going to the function are asked to purchase their tickets early as we are expecting a full house. Club Polo Shirts A new batch of Club Polo Shirts are now on Sale in Divers Shop. An ideal Christmas gift. Presentation Night The Minor Board have organised an underage presentation night in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel on Thursday 7th December at 8.00 p.m. All medals and other awards will be presented on the night. Photographs Orders are being taken at the moment for framed photographs of the Senior Team who captured the League and Championship double this year. Anyone wishing to order a framed picture can contact Mary McHugh at (073) 31936 Work or (073) 35934 Home. Orders must be in on 14th December. Monthly Meeting The monthly meeting of the Club will take place on next Monday evening at 9.00 p.m. in Dohertys's Bar. All members are asked to attend.


23rd November	Ardara end memorable year with the double Ardara ........................ 0-13 Naomh Columba .......... 0-9
	MICHAEL DALEY reports Superb second half football in dreadful conditions with a gale force wind against them, saw Ardara come from behind to complete the league and championship double, emulating St. Eunan's who last year, also did the double. In September Ardara won the county championship, on Sunday at freezing cold Fintra they added the league title, Eamon Doherty adding the Democrat Cup to the sideboard where sits the Dr.Maguire.
	This is only their third time to win the league and Glencolmcille side Naomh Columba really tested them. Naomh Columba contributed brilliantly to a game that should have been destroyed by terrible weather. Led by county senior team selector John Joe Doherty, Glencolmcille led by 0-5 to 0-4 at half time, Doherty and county 'veteran' Noel Hegarty scoring some excellent first half points for a Glen side who were battling into the teeth of a gale. Raced Away With a strong wind in their favour in the second half, Glen raced four points ahead inside four minutes. But Ardara's superior fitness began to tell as they played some of their best football of the year in the final 20 minutes. Jonathon Boyle who scored a total of six points from frees putting Ardara ahead with three minutes left, his score from 40 meters on the wing a quite marvellous free kick on any day but quite special considering the strong wind he was kicking into. Further points from Don Earley, Michael Doherty and Martin McShane ensured Ardara's first league title since 1989 and a wonderful championship and league double for the year 2000.
		Diver Back Damien Diver the Donegal captain and a vital contributor in the final 20 minutes looked quite tired at the final whistle, but he has happily recovered from the injury that kept him out of the Galway game and neutrals and Ardara folk alike will be pleased that he will be available for Sunday's tie with Louth in the NFL. Diver played well but if you were to look for a player who inflicted real damage I would pick Fergal Heena out. I wouldn't forget Michael Doherty or Don Earley here. These three made a massive difference.
	With the game poised at 0-8 each with 17 minutes left Michael Doherty fired over a levelling point but before that Earley had won a free converted by Boyle to make it 0-6 to 0-8. Hard work saw Noel Hegarty blocked, the ball whizzing through six sets of hands before Earley hat an outragous score from the wing. That made it 0-7 to 0-8, one in it and Johnny D.'s boy putting a smile back on the boss. My three top men dominated the final passages of play, Henna doing well to release Earley who fisted a point and Michael Doherty scoring with the boot to make it 0-12 to 0-9. Three minutes into injury time with tickets being fired left and right as Aradra subs entered the fray to run down the clock there was an insurance score, wing back Martin McShane putting four between them.
	All players involved deserve credit for their part in making this entertaining and competitive. Heena, Earley, Michael Doherty I have said enough about, Sean Whyte also should be praised highly for an exhibition of corner back play and for some excellent scores from difficult frees, a salute too for Jonathan Boyle.
	What a year for John McConnell, presenting the Dr.Maguire and now the Democrat Cup to his own club. Ardara: Conor Curran; Sean Whyte, Eamon Doherty, Joe Doherty, Martin McShane (0-1), Brendan Boyle, Michael Doherty (0-2), Damien Diver, Francis Diver, Fergal Heena (0-1), Peter McHugh (0-1), Conal Doherty, Don Earley (0-2), Jonathon Boyle (0-6), all frees, Stephen Gildea. Subs: Darren Maguire for McHugh and Jimmy Brennan for F.Diver (injury time)


	Ardara U-10 Parish League Final by Mary McHugh - P.R.O. The Ardara U-10 team had a great year. This unique panel of U-10 players created history this year when they competed in 52 competitive matched winning every match. An outstanding bunch of boys and girls whom we are very proud of in Ardara. They won all the Blitzes in the South West Division. They won the Interdivisional Blitz and probably their greatest success was in Warrenpoint in Co. Down in August when they won the All Ulster Blitz where seven Counties had their best U-10 Club teams competing. The finale for this great panel was their U-10 Parish League which took place on Saturday 4th November for the prestigous Michael McNelis Memorial Cup and was presented by Eamon McNelis and his family in memory of Michael one of our young members killed in a car accident last year. B Final The B Final was between Kevin McCabe's team coached by Margaret McHugh and Conor Classon's team coached by Patsy Boyle. This was a very exciting game with Kevin McCabe setting the pace with two early scores for his team. This was quickly replied to by Conor Classon with good scores by Daniel Shovlin and Patrick Maloney. The game ran to and fro with Conor Classon's team coming out on top thanks to good performances from Conor Classon, Kevin Molloy, Daniel Shovlin and Ronan Haughey in goals. Kevin McCabes team had great performances from Jonathon Gallagher, Damien Boyle and Kieran Nicholson. The game was very well refereed by James McHugh - Club Secretary.
	Conor Classon's Team	Kevin McCabe's Team
	The teams were - Kevin McCabe's - Jonathon Gallagher, Declan Boyle, Kieran Nicholson, Derek Bennett, Brian Kennedy, Kevin Breslin, Damien Boyle and Patrick Gavigan. Conor Classon's - Patrick Maloney, Pauric McGill, Kevin Molloy, Daniel Shovlin, Declan McTaggart, Ronan Haughey, Michael Kennedy, Anthony Slowey and Sinead Gavigan. A Final The A final was between Peter Oliver Mcnelis's Team coached by Stephen McCahill and Francis Boyle's Team coached by John McBrearty. This game promised to be and lived up to be an outstanding game. Francis Boyle's team got off to a great start with a quick goal from Ronan McBrearty followed by a point from Brendan Quinn. However, this was quickly cancelled out with an excellent goal by Stephen McCahill. It was the first of his four goals to make him tie for man of the match with Francis Boyle and Ronan McBrearty. The game had an arrangement of great scores by Brendan Quinn, Stephen Sweeney, Francis Boyle, Peter Oliver, Pauric Molloy and Stephen McCahill to leave the game at full time ending in a draw. At this stage both teams had given their all and one suspected that who ever scored first in extra time would win the day. The highlight of the day was the battle between two great friends and outstanding players Brendan Quinn and Kieran Hennigan. The large crowd of parents were served up an excellent display of football by these two young stars. In extra time Brendan Quinn got two chances and with his brilliant skill scored two excellent goals to see Fancis Boyle's team taking the Michael McNelis Memorial Cup. Outstanding for Peter Olivers team was Peter himself, Stephen McCahill, Jonathon Gallagher, Kieran Hennigan and Conor Tonry who insisted in cutting the family holiday short to be back for the final. Outstanding for Francis Boyle's team was Francis himself, Ronan McBrearty, Brendan Quinn and Paul Watters.
	Francis Boyle's Team	Peter Oliver's Team
	The teams were - Peter Olivers's - Jonathon Gallagher, Stephen McCahill, Kieran Hennigan, Conor Tonry, Keelan Gallagher, Sean McGuinness, Christy McGinly, Ian Breslin and Regina Shovlin. Francis Boyle's - Ronan McBrearty, Brendan Quinn, Paul Watters, Eamon Breslin, Stephen Sweeney, Pauric Molloy, Michael Maloney and Sinead Gavigan.


	Diver returns for Louth game as Donegal hope to remain unbeaten
	Donegal make two changes for their final NFL game before the winter break when they take on Louth in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey on Sunday next (2:30pm) Damien Diver returns after injury and replaces Jonathan Scanlon in the half back line while Brian Roper starts his first game of the campaign in place of Michael Doherty in the half-forward line.
	The Donegal panel trained on Sunday morning last in Ardara and the manager then enjoyed the club league final in Fintra. The Donegal team is: Tony Blake; Eamon Doherty, Mark Crossan, Noel McGinley, Noel Hegarty, Raymond Sweeney, Damien Diver, John Gildea, Barry Monaghan, Brian Roper, Michael Hegarty, James Gallagher, Andrew Gallagher, Adrian Sweeney and Johnny McCafferty.


21st November	GAA Club Call - Ard An Ratha. Flotto There was no winner of our weekly Flotto Jackpot. The numbers drawn were 5, 13, 21 and 23. The nearest were Noel Gallagehr, Narin Road and Patsy McHugh, Ard Conal. This weeks Jackpot is £2,400.00 and the sellers are James McBrearty, Paddy McGill, Lorraine McBrearty, Jimmy Boyle, Eamon Doherty, Michael Breslin (Castledoherty) and Hugh F. Shovlin. Victory The Club were victorious in the League on Sunday last when they completed the double for the Club. It was a great day for all. It is a great achievement for the Club this year and with all the work that has gone into underage down the last few years and indeed this year it was was very special indeed. Great thanks is due to the players, management and the back room team for the many hours of entertainment that was given to us all this year. Thanks to the supporters who supported the teams in the past year and indeed to the many supporters who braved the weather in Killybegs on Sunday last. Dinner Dance The Dinner Dance will be be held on Thursday the 28th December in the Blue Haven, Kilcar. As this year promises to be one of the biggest and the best. Tickets will go on sale from Friday 1st December. Please purchase early.


17th November	Ardara manager, Johnny D. Earley	Naomh Columba and Ardara in search of Democrat Cup This Sunday the destination of the Democrat Cup for the year 2000 will be decided when south-west neighbours Ardara and Naomh Columba meet in Fintra (2:30pm)
	Ardara are going for the Championship and League double, while Naomh Columba are hoping to repeat their 1995 success. Ardara last won the cup in 1989 and their only other league success came back in 1931. Still they have the chance of a unique double this year with the Championship trophey already safely installed in the Doherty household. Ardara has some injury worries ahead of the game, Damien Diver being a doubtful starter and the team will also be without corner-back Kevin Byrne, who has returned to the fishing fields. Hopeful Ardara manger, Johnny D. Earley, is hopeful of getting Diver onto the field at some stage: "Damien is still doubtful. We might get ten or fifteen minutes but it depends how he is on the day", said Johnny, who said "Damien would be anxious to play, and he had been in that position again earlier this year", said Early, who said that Joseph and Conal Doherty will be returning from England for Sunday's game. It is likely that Joseph Doherty will be a straight replacement for Byrne, while the manager is very happy with the contribution made by the youngest member of the Doherty clan: "Conal has had a very good year and has put in a big effort this year", said Johnny. Asked about the fitness levels of the Ardara side, Johnny feels that they might be waning at this stage: "There's a lot of them burning the candle", says Johnny. "Training wise we have done nearly nothing. Weather-wise you cannot do anything", he said, adding that he was hoping that their level of fitness acquired over the summer would be a help. "I would be hoping that they wouldn't have it all burned out, but when you're on the high stool that soon burns it out, especially when you're putting nothing back in", quipped Johnny. Tough Game Johnny expects a tough game on Sunday: "Did you ever see it any other way. If we play well, we're in with a chance, but if we play badly we'll get stuffed. We know that ourselves. If we take Glen for granted we're in for a rude awakening". "We know when we hit Glen on Sunday it's going to be a tight match", said Johnny. "It would be great and a bonus to do the double. Hopefully it will be a motivation as the club has never done it before. "We are looking forward to it and I will be looking for the rest afterwards too. Not to say that I didn't enjoy the year; I enjoyed it immensley. There were times when we were struggling to get a team out earlier and that's the way season's go".


16th November	GAA Club Call - Ard An Ratha. Flotto There was no winner of our weekly Flotto. The numbers drawn were 12, 13, 17 and 22. The nearest were Eunan Maguire, Drumaghey Park and Gemma McCahill, Beagh. This weeks jackpot stands at £2,300.00and the sellers are Paddy J. Breslin, Michael Kennedy, Damien Diver, Malachy Gallagher and Tony Breslin. U-10 Parish League The U-10 parish League was completed last week-end. A full report next week Scor na nOg Ghlac an Club pairt i Scor na nOg ins na Gleanntai an Satharn seo caite. Beidh Cliona Ni hEinne i Amhranaiocht Aonair agus Seamus Ui hEigeartaigh, Seosamh Ui Sheibhlean agus Dallan O'Beirne i trath na gCeist ag dul frid go dti an Comortas Leath Ceannais na Condae. League Final This Sunday sees another milestone in the Club when they play in the League final against our near neighbours N. Columba in Fintra at 2.30 p.m. We hope to see big support for Johnny and the boys. Well Done Well done to Eamon, Damien, Michael and Brendan who were all part of the Donegal panel who drew with Galway on Sunday last.


12th November	GAA The monthly meeting of the club takes place this Monday, 13th November at 9:00pm, in Doherty's Bar. Flotto Sellers Next week's Flotto sellers are Paddy J. Breslin, Michael Kennedy, Malachy Gallagher, Damien Diver and Tony Breslin.


9th November	Ardara on course for Double Ardara ......................... 2-10 Aodh Ruadh ................. 0-10 With an early and late goal, Ardara kept themselves on course for a Championship and League double when overcoming Aodh Ruadh in a good contest at Fintra on Sunday. The county champions got off to the best possible start with a goal after 34 seconds and they held that advantage right until five minutes from the end when their final score, a second goal, killed Aodh Ruadh challenge. The opening quarter saw Ardara race into a 1-3 to no score lead, the goal after 34 seconds when a Jonathan Boyle effort for a point came back of the upright and crossbar into the path of Conal Doherty who had the time and space to easily find the net. On the half-time whistle Micheal Doherty pointed for Ardara to leave them ahead by 1-6 to 0-3 at the break. Just before half-time, Ardara lost Damien Diver with a back injury, but his replacement made his mark early in the second half, Jimmy Brennan pointing. The game was very well contested with the Dohertys once again key players for Ardara with Peter McHugh, Jonathan Boyle and Sean Whyte also very much to the fore. Five yellow cards were produced, although most were for dissent. Two of them were shown to Ardara's Jonathan Boyle, and Ardara wisely substituted Boyle immediately. Ardara Team Conor Curran, Sean Whyte, Eamon Doherty, Kevin Byrne, Martin McShane, Brendan Boyle, Michael Doherty (1-2), Damien Diver, Francis Diver, Fergal Heena (0-3), Peter McHugh, Conal Doherty (1-3), Don Early, Jonathan Boyle, Stephen Gildea (0-1). Subs. Jimmy Brennan (0-1) for D. Diver (28 mins), Patrick Gallagher for Gildea (48 mins), Darren Maguire for J. Boyle (57 mins)


2nd November	24th Annual Donegal Sports Star Awards Those in the County who excel in their chosen sport through sheer hard work and dedication were commended by Donegal Sports Star Committee Chairman, Harry Blaney, at the 24th annual presentation ceremony in the Silver Tassie, Letterkenny, last Sunday.
		Congratulations to Damien Diver Winner of the Gaelic Football category
	In a preview before the Co. final a journalist wrote that if Ardara were to win their first title in nineteen years a lot would depend on Demian Diver playing brilliantly, and Ardara won brilliantly. Some players can win a game on their own with a touch of genius, but Damien Diver is able to lift his team so that the spark of genius can come out. At county level Damien is a regular member of the team in the highest division in the country.	Damien Diver pictured with family and friends at the Silver Tassie.

	Also Nominated St. Mary's National School, Ardara in the Best Primary School category. With the award going to Niall Mor, Killybegs.

Sports Archive November 2000