August – Huge sadness at passing of Ollie Horgan

THERE was huge sadness at the end of August following the sad passing of Ollie Horgan.

The former Fanad United and Finn Harps manager was revered in Donegal and throughout the country and tributes flooded in for a unique character who made a real impression on football in Ireland.

It proved to be a good month for Finn Harps in the League of Ireland First Division.

It didn’t get off to the best start with a 2-1 defeat to Wexford and then a draw with Bray Wanderers.

However, the Ballybofey side subsequently defeated Kerry 1-0 and had a cup victory over Bray.

They then backed that up with a 2-1 triumph against Athlone Town.

The in-form Hans Mpongo scored the winner as Harps saw off Treaty 1-0.

That result meant that Harps were just one point shy of the Limerick men in fifth place and the final play-off spot with seven games remaining.

It was a busy month for Burt’s Mark Coyle as he helped Shelbourne to qualify for the group stages of the Europa Conference League.

Bonagee United got their hands on the Donegal Women’s League title after a fine campaign.

There was a real blow for the Donegal Junior League as Lagan Harps withdrew their Sunday team for the Premier Division after losing a number of important players.

The Finn Harps 2013 team were triumphant in the Galway Cup, defeating Willow Park in the decider.

Unfortunately there was no joy for the club’s 2012 side who lost to Dundalk in the Shield Final.

Bonagee United won the John ‘Gorey’ Curran Cup Final when they defeated Mulroy-Fanad 1-0 with Caolan McGarrigle scoring the winner.

Setanta got their hands on the Donegal Senior Hurling title once again.

They had a tough final with St Eunan’s but a brace of late goals from Josh Cronolly McGee won out for the men from the Crossroads.

There was better luck for St Eunan’s in the Intermediate Final as they got the better of Dungloe.

And there was delight for Letterkenny Gaels in the Junior Hurling decider as they were much too strong for Dungloe’s second team and won their club’s first senior adult hurling title.

Sean MacCumhaills retained the Minor Division 1 Championship with a 1-20 to 0-12 win over Aodh Ruadh.

The Donegal Senior Football Championship got off to somewhat of a slow start as many of the county players missed the first week as they took holidays following the All-Ireland Final.

Gaoth Dobhair and Dungloe set the early pace and both won their opening three matches.

Naomh Conaill lost their opener to Glenswilly but bounced back with a tense victory over neighbours Ardara and then saw off Downings. It was confirmed that county player Ciaran Thompson was ruled out of the championship with an ACL tear picked up while playing against Kerry.

In the Intermediate Championship, Naomh Columba won their first three games in style, while there were a string of Inishowen derbies which produced tight and competitive fare.

Carndonagh went into the Junior Championship as raging hot favourites, but while they got the better of Naomh Ultan and Letterkenny Gaels, they were asked real questions.

Naomh Conaill clinched the Division 4 League crown with a comprehensive triumph against Termon in O’Donnell Park.

A bright start helped Gaoth Dobhair to see off Four Masters by two points in the Division 1 Minor League Final.

Dungloe had too much for Letterkenny Gaels in the Division 2 decider and prevailed by 1-16 to 1-6.

Ronan Frain played a key role for Padraig Pearses who upset the odds to win the Chicago Championship.

Seanan Carr played a starring role as Donegal Boston won the Intermediate title but Cory Gallagher and Hugh ‘Yank’ Boyle were part of the club’s first team that lost the Boston Senior Final to Galway Boston.

The Donegal Masters football team booked their spot in the All-Ireland Final when they got the better of Sligo after a replay.

Naomh Muire clubman Donal Ó Searcaigh resigned as Donegal LGFA’s Language and Cultural Officer after the Naomh Muire club had their request for a hearing to be held as gaeilge refused.

There was a great turnout at the Premier Darts Club as pro player Brendan Dolan hosted an exhibition.

In athletics, it was another great month for Mark English.

He held off Cian McPhillips to win his national 800 metres title.

The Finn Valley AC athlete also broke the Irish 800 metres record once again when he posted 1:43.37 as he finished second at the Gyulai Istavan Memorial in Hungary.

English’s clubmate Lauren Callaghan also won a gold medal at the National Track & Field Championships in the Long Jump.

There were more medals for Finn Valley as John Kelly sealed a silver in the Shot Put while there were third-place finishes for Amy Greene (3000 metres Steeplechase) and Bridget McDyer (Weight for Distance).

Caoimhe Gallen (Lifford Strabane AC) won two silver medals at the National Championships in the Shot Put and Hammer throw.

There were approximately 1100 finishers in the Donegal Half-Marathon which was a brilliant event held in Letterkenny.

Laurence O’Neill of Strabane AC prevailed in the men’s race.

Local woman Caitriona Jennings of Letterkenny AC delivered a strong performance to win the female race.

Ramelton’s Callum Boyce impressed while home on holidays as he won the Ballyare 10k Road Race.

Danny Mooney (Letterkenny AC) was in great form as he came first in the Dromore 10k race.

Odhran McBrearty (Finn Valley AC) was the winner of the Sean MacCumhaills 5k road race.

There was a great performance from David McKelvey of Rosses AC as he took the top prize in the Boyne Adventure Race.

Lettermacaward man Declan Boyle came third in the Ulster Stages Rally with Pettigo’s Kevin Eves finishing fourth.

In cycling, Buncrana’s Rory Devlin was the winner of the tenth edition of the gruelling Donegal 555 race.

Darren McGlinchey prevailed in the 333 category and Ryan Hunter took the honours in the 222 section.

Mountcharles cyclist Jamie Meehan signed a three-year deal with Cofidis World Tour team.

Letterkenny jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle added to his growing reputation with five winners on the one day across meetings in the Curragh and Tramore.

Sadhbh McGrath from Burt was included in the Ireland squad for the Rugby World Cup.

In Golf, Sean Boyce won the 106th edition of the Leitrim Cup at Rosapenna Golf Club.

Frosses man Eamonn Kelly finished first in the Junior category of Rally Finland.

Motorcyclist Rhys Irwin set the fastest ever lap time at Cadwell.