Sports Review – May

Friday, December 27, 2013 SPORT DONEGAL NEWS 35 SPORTS REVIEW – MAY Martin McHugh, Pat McEneaney, Anthony Molloy, John Lynch and Tom Comack at the Donegal GAA supporters forum in An Grianan Theatre. Donegal recorded a fantastic Ul- the case today. It’s unbelievable but ster Championship win over Tyrone we deserved this from day one,” said to advance to the semi-finals of the Lifford Celtic’s joint captain Mark Ulster Senior Championship. Neeson after his team were crowned Goals from Colm McFadden and champions. Ross Wherity were key as Donegal Cranford won promotion to the won 2-9 to 0-9 in front of a bumper Premier Division of the Donegal crowd in MacCumhaill Park. League, thanks to a hat-trick from “Tyrone really had us in their their veteran striker Philip sights and that’s the most satisfying Buchanan in a play-off against Dunk- thing for us,” said a delighted ineely Celtic in Killygordon. McGuinness after the final whistle. Rathmullan Celtic won the Brian “We had the exact same approach McCormick Sports Cup when they as last year. There was a lot of talk of defeated Glenea United 2-1 in the fi- putting all the eggs into one basket, nal at Killygordon. Eoin Sheridan but it was the same last year, and the was the hero for the Seasiders when year before. That’s what we do - it’s he snatched a 90th minute winner. championship football.” Surprise package Drumkeen Unit- However, there was disappoint- ed ended the month in top position of ment for the Donegal minors who the USL after winning three games lost to Tyrone in the curtain raiser. from three. Cockhill Celtic were in Stephen Friel’s men kicked an aston- hot pursuit of the men from St ishing 19 wides as they fell by 1-9 to Patrick’s Park and they made an un- 1-3 in Ballybofey. beaten start to the season. The Donegal hurling team Kyle Callan-McFadden was cele- reached the Nicky Rackard final af- brating in May after he helped Nor- ter they cruised past Monaghan in wich City to the FA Youth Cup. The O’Donnell Park. Substitute Lee Hen- Canaries carried a one-goal advan- derson was to the fore for Donegal, tage over Chelsea into the second leg scoring 2-3. at Stamford Bridge. “Our goal at the start of the year Norwich won the second leg 3-2, to was to progress in the league and win on aggregate with McFadden ex- give the Nicky Rackard a good shot. celling in both legs. The 18 year old’s We’re back in Croke Park for the fi- endeavours were rewarded with a nal now and we’ll be going all out for one-year professional contract from And thy're off.... Competitors at the start of the 2013 Nortwest 10km annual charity fundraising race.. Photo: Donna McBride the win,” said Ray Durack. the club. Supersub Amber Barrett came off Carl McHugh also enjoyed a suc- the bench to score 4-1 for the Done- cessful outing at Wembley, as his gal Minor ladies to guide Donegal to Bradford City team won the League 2 the Ulster minor ladies title in Bally- play-off with Northampton. Mean- connell. while, Seamus Coleman helped the In club football, St Michael’s won Republic of Ireland to a 1-1 draw their first ever Donegal Comortas with England in Wembley. Peile na Gaeltachta Senior title after Finn Harps enjoyed a good May, as beating Naomh Columba in the final they picked up wins over Longford in Glen. town, Mervue United and Wexford Fanad Gaels won the Junior cham- Youths. They remained in third posi- pionship defeating St Naul’s in the tion in the league, but drifted seven decider, while Termon got the upper points behind league leaders Long- hand on Glenfin to win the ladies ford Town. Gaeltacht championship final. Hutton’s men lost to local rivals Conor McEniff was St Eunan’s Derry city in the EA Sports League scorer-in-chief as they overcame Cup in devastating fashion after the Dungloe in the County Minor League Brandywell outfit beat Harps 6-5 on final at Monellen Park. Naomh penalties. Columba won the Division 2 league Philip Deignan finished the Tour title by defeating Termon in Glen- of California in ninth position. The ties. United Healthcare cyclist had to put Lifford Celtic lifted the Brian Mc- up with soaring heat on the tour, but Cormick Sports Premier League af- a third place finish on the second ter a dramatic final day in the Done- stage helped him to a strong overall gal League. Glenea United looked to position have sealed the title when they Michael Gallagher scooped his struck late against Rathmullan ninth Irish title in May. Celtic. The Finn Valley ACB ace took However, Dara Patton swooped home the 81kgs crown from the Na- deep into injury time to win the tional under 18 finals at the National league for Lifford, who had beaten Stadium. Austeja Auciente made it Dunkineely Celtic 2-0. an impressive month for Finn Valley “As Gary Neville once said: ‘It was ABC when she collected her seventh Young supporters have a birds eye view of the Letterkenny Rovers versus Drumkeen United at Leckview, as coaches Antho- written in the stars’, and that was national title. ny Gorman and Trevor Scanlon look on. Photo: Donna McBride.

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