Moville rocked to the sound of Bob Dylan at the weekend as thousands travelled from far and wide for DylanFest, the only music festival in Ireland dedicated to the legendary singer.The town’s population is estimated to have doubled during the four-day event which featured tribute acts from across Europe and Ireland.Organiser, Gerry McLaughlin, said despite the inclement weather this year’s event was more successful than the inaugural festival staged last year.He said: “Everybody had a great time and the weather, whilst not exactly sunny, stayed good enough for all the acts to be able to perform on the Friday night in the Square and on the Saturday night in the Malin Road.”He added: “The weekend lived up to expectations. It was good last year but it was even better this year. Crowds were slightly up on last year. If we’d had good weather it would have been phenomenal. Let’s hope we get better weather for the BeatlesFest in two weeks time – but at least the rain stayed off whilst the street acts were performing”.  Among the successes were the eight-piece Phantom Engineers who played on the Saturday night in the Malin Road. Gerry said: “They had headlined last year as well but they were even better this year.” Also popular were The Plea, from Ballyliffin, who used to play regularly in Moville but now mainly play in London and Belfast and took time out from recording their first album to appear on stage at the Caiseal Mara Hotel on Friday night.Among the international acts to appear were Slow Train Band from Italy, who spent two days getting to Moville coming by camper van across North Italy via France and ferry.Band member Dario Girardo said the arduous journey was worth it and said the band would consider returning next year.He said: “We have had a great time in Moville. We would love to come back next year”. This sentiment was echoed by Germany’s top Dylan band PetTommy and the Brokenhearts, who played outside on both Friday and Saturday night. Among the many visitors to the town was American Margot Sanders, who was full of praise for the event.She said: “I had a great weekend in Moville. I was really looking forward to hearing Slow Train Band after hearing them on MySpace and they didn’t disappoint. I also liked Steph Buhe from France and James O’Connor and Audrey Trainor. Audrey is a fantastic, classically trained, fiddle player”.  Seven pubs and hotels -  the Caiseal Mara, Rawdons, Town Clock, Rosato’s, Maguires, Foyle Hotel and the Waterfront – were involved in staging this year’s DylanFest – now they are preparing to host another popular music festival, BeatlesFest, being staged in the town on the weekend of 18-20 July next..

“Inish” prompts action on Carn potholes Work to repair country lanes around Carndonagh has got under way, thanks to the “Inish Times.”The peninsula’s favourite paper had received numerous complaints from local people about the amount of potholes in the area.Local motorists said their complaints that the Gort and Carrowmore roads outside Carndonagh were “falling on deaf ears.”  However, a number of calls from the “Inish Times” to the Carndonagh office of Donegal County Council has appeared to remedied the situation as work to fill in the offending holes has commenced.Prior to the work beginning local motorists said they were becoming “very frustrated.”One said:  “I am sick complaining because it is getting me no where. I have to drive past them three or four times a day to get in and out of my home. I am getting really annoyed about it now as I have made many complaints but nothing seems to be getting done.”“Taxi drivers are beginning to refuse to come out the road now as it is so bad. There are a lot of potholes and they can be very deep. It is even worse in the wet weather because you can’t judge how bad the potholes are. One of these days a car is going to be severely damaged by them. I also know that our roads are not the only ones involved, it is the same throughout the peninsula.” Another road user said: “It isn’t great but I know that usually the council are straight out to fix it as soon as possible. Any time I have reported a pothole it was usually taken care of in the space of a couple of weeks,. I am sure the council will be doing what they can to cover the area as soon as possible.” 

GAA - Daly Brothers Intermediate Football Championship, first round, first leg Urris 2-06  Na Rossa 0-12 Despite having the majority of possession throughout the game Urris were only able to manage a draw in this Intermediate Championship encounter at Crampsey Park.And this result gives Urris an uphill struggle when they go away to Na Rossa in the second round.A goal by Simon Friel after 30 minutes was closely followed by another by Alan Friel, and with Na Rossa stunned at this stage the Inishowen side should have taken the opportunity to kill the game off.However a wides tally that reached double figures coupled with the chances handed to the opposition allowed Na Rossa to go home with the advantage for the next round.Urris’ Mickey Harkin opened the scoring in the game before Odhran Gallagher levelled for the away side. Further points were added by Dara Doherty for Urris and Ryan Hennesey for Na Rossa in what was shaping up to be a tight encounter.However the home team got a firm hold of the game and dominated proceedings throughout the first half, despite hitting a number of wides.A point by Peter Devlin was all Urris had to show for up until the 25th minute as Na Rossa were being handed chances by the Urris defence.Points by JP McCready and Sean McDaid for Na Rossa saw them take a one point advantage before Simon Friel fired the ball into the back of the net to put the home side ahead again.He collected a long pass by Martin Kelly towards goal and rose well to flick the ball past Michael Gallagher in the Na Rossa net.A second goal came moments later, this time from Alan Friel. He received a pass from Mickey Harkin and side-stepped Trevor Melly to leave him with only the ‘keeper to beat.Urris looked like they would take full advantage of their five point lead, but an attack by Na Rossa on the stroke of half time almost saw them get a goal themselves. JP McCready’s drive towards goal was straight at Jonathan Noone, who was able to get a hand to the ball and send it over to only give them a point.Half time score Urris 2-3, Na Rossa 0-5.Na Rossa were playing with the wind in the second half, and took full advantage by scoring four points without reply inside 10 minutes.Points came from JP McCready, JP Breslin and Martin Caulfield.Urris kept pressing for goals and almost got a third when a shot by Simon Friel beat the Na Rossa ‘keeper, but was well cleared by corner back Daniel Melly.Urris managed to get their noses in front once again with points from Alan Friel and Sean Paul Doherty, however JP McCready was once again on hand to level the scoring.Na Rossa ‘keeper Gallagher was called into action once again, saving a shot by Brian Doherty. The danger was not cleared however, as Simon Friel was first to latch onto the save and volleyed the ball past Gallagher, but the defence was on hand to clear the ball from the line. The clearance again went straight to an Urris player, this time Sean Paul Doherty, who was only able to manage a point. Another lucky escape however for Na Rossa.The equaliser came from JP McCready who sent the ball over the bar from close range just before the hour. Urris will travel to Na Rossa for the second round, date and time to be confirmed.Urris: Jonathan Noone, Sean Doherty, Sean McDaid, Patrick Doherty, Martin Kelly, Dara Doherty (0-1), Michael Kelly, Liam Diver, Brian Doherty, Alan Friel (1-1), Peter Devlin (0-1), Mark McLaughlin, Michael Harkin (0-1), Simon Friel (1-0), Sean Paul Doherty (0-1)Sub: Phil Pat Doherty (Devlin)Na Rossa: Michael Gallagher, Daniel Melly, Brian Breslin, Shane Melly, Peter Gallagher, Martin Bonner, Trevor Melly, JP Breslin (0-1), Donal Trimble, Caolan Devenney, JP McCready (0-7), Ryan McCready, Odhran Gallagher (0-1)Subs: Damien Melly (Devenney), Shane McCready (Peter Gallagher), Paul Byrne (Ryan McCready)  

GAA - Daly Brothers Intermediate League Championship, first round, first leg Naomh Mhuire 0-11   Moville  0-4 
A low-scoring Moville side were sent home from Annagry at the weekend with plenty to think about if they are to make it through to the next round of the intermediate championship.Despite a spirited first half performance which saw them down by only one point at the break, the visitors suffered an overwhelming seven point defeat at the hands of Naomh Mhuire.It was actually the Inishowen men who opened the scoring, as Sean O’Hare latched on to a pass by Joe McBride to send the ball over the bar five minutes into the game.Naomh Mhuire gave Moville plenty to think about over the next 20 minutes of the game as they hit four unanswered points.However Moville showed they were not prepared to back down, as Nigel McMonigle fought his way through the Naomh Mhuire defence to score Moville’s second point, before PJ Barr brought them to within a point of the hosts on the stroke of half time.As Moville went into the second half they could be forgiven for believing the game was well within their grasp, but the home side ended any notion of an away win with two points from Thomas McHugh, a free from Ciaran McGinley and a point from Paul Boyle to bring the score to 0-8 to 0-3.Moville got a point back through PJ Barr as they tried to play catch-up with a home side who were at this stage looking extremely confident.But super-subs Ciaran Doherty, Kevin Sharkey and Sean Boyle were all on target for Naomh Mhuire to bring the full time score to 0-11 to 0-4.Moville will face Naomh Mhuire at home in the second leg.
Naomh Mhuire: Lee Boyle, Thomas Duffy, Charlie Doherty, James McBride, Paul Boyle, Ownie McGarvey, Daniel Gallagher, Joe Kelly, Brian Gillespie, Mel O’Donnell, Thomas McHugh, Seamus Gallagher, Sean Gallagher, Paddy McCafferty, Ciaran McGinleySubs: Ciaran Doherty (O’Donnell), Kevin Sharkey (Seamus Gallagher), Sean Boyle (Sean Gallagher)Moville: Maurice McGeady, Gearoid McQuillan, Tony McGeady, Mark Henry, Conor O’Donnell, Seamus Hegarty, John McGeady, Michael Browne, PJ Barr, Danny Murphy, Sean O’Hare, Eunan Hegarty, Ryan McMonagle, Joe McBrideSubs: Michael Bonner (McMonagle) 

GAA - Under 14 B County Final Aodh Rua 8-7   Carndonagh 5-5 Carndonagh’s under 14 hurlers travelled to McCumhaill park on Saturday to take on Aodh Rua in the under 14 B county final.And despite a hearty display by the Inishowen youths, they eventually lost out in a game that was certainly not shy of goals.Despite a slow start, the Inishowen side fought their way back into the game and scored an incredible tally of five goals, which on another day might have been enough to bring the trophy to Inishowen.In the end up it wasn’t to be however, as Aodh Rua scored a magnificent eight goals to bring the title their way.
Carndonagh side were: C. Fagan, C. Doherty, C. Mc.Cormac, F. Bradley, D. Donoughy, C. Diver, R. Hartin, J. Mc.Laughlin, N. Mc.Gonagle, P.O. Doherty, L. Fox, D. Mc.Carron, M. Diver, JG  Mc.Kinney, C. Kelly, J. Mc.Kinney and C. Fogarty
 

Greencastle Ladies 2     Carndonagh Ladies  0 Greencastle dragged themselves back into the league race with a good battling team performance against Carn at chapel lane. 
They opened the scoring after seven minutes when good work down the left by Annette Mc Laughlin set up Danielle Logue and her pass was picked up by Karen Henry who moved it on to Shona Kelly. She stepped pass the defender and fired in a rocket from 20 yards to the top corner giving Adele Mc Elroy in the Carn goal no chance. Carn prompted by Anita Doherty came back into the game but the Greencastle defence, well marshalled by Geraldine Harkin and Danielle Barr, were giving nothing away. Greencastle went two up after 33 minutes when Shauna Mc Laughlin won a tackle in the middle of the field. She fed Loirin Melarky and her through ball put Karen Henry clear of the Carn defence. She steadied herself and fired low to the bottom corner from ten yards.Carn pinned Greencastle back at the start of the second half forcing a couple of corners which the Greencastle defence cleared. Anita Doherty’s cross from the left struck the post and was cleared. Greencastle were still dangerous on the break with Henry’s pace causing hasty from the Carn defence. Carn’s top scorer Zoe Doherty was being well shackled by Niamh Hannon and Catriona Cavanagh was giving nothing away at left back. Carn were being forced into playing long balls that were being over hit. They upped the pressure with ten minutes left and Evelyn Dougal had to get down well to save a header from Anita Doherty from Trasa Doherty’s cross. Carn made three changes but Greencastle’s pressure on the ball and sheer work rate was leaving them with no options.Carn did not give up easy but Greencastle defended well and seen the game out for a deserved victory on the night. This was a great team performance for this young Greencastle side in a game they could not afford to lose. If they can approach the rest of the games with the same attitude they stand a good chance of being in the final shake up for the league 

Go Karting Buncranas David Doherty has really excelled himself in recent weeks by winning the prestigious K plate title but on Saturday at Nutts Corner Motorsports Centre he showed that his win was no flash in the pan by going all out to win the finals in the fifth round of the Ulster Cup.
Young Doherty has really been coming on leaps and bounds in recent times after winning his first meeting at the circuit recently but on Saturday he was really up against it in what could best be described as monsoon conditions for most of the day.Doherty has only turned ten years of age and it was clear on Saturday that he was all out to gain some big points in his hopes of moving up the overall podium after finishing an impressive third in both the Ulster Cup and NI Championships last year as well as picking up a special best newcomer award.  Doherty immediately was in the thick of things with a terrific heat win in a real downpour.  With Scott Finlay the series leader now realising that Doherty was on his tail and with the other main contender Jason Dickson from Drumquin not competing then Doherty knew that he had to capitalise on the day, no matter what the weather.The Comer Cadet class is becoming one of the most competitive classes around and when it came to the finals Dohert and Finlay went head to head.  Despite the tough competition, which also included Kilrea’s Conor Shaw, Doherty forged home with a brilliant win – by almost three quarters of a second which is a healthy margin in kart racing terms.With backing from the family run Restex Beds manufacturers in Buncrana, Doherty is now firmly in the running for the championships.The meeting on Saturday also saw the Ulster Karting Club announce details of the new circuit ownership but also launch the Irish Kart Grand Prix in late August.With Doherty having the K plate to his name and potentially the Ulster Cup lead then the summer months will be hot indeed as the GP meeting is by far one of the most prestigious meetings of the year. 

Illies Golden Gloves boxer Tyrone McCullagh has been selected to join the Irish squad competing in the world championships in Mexico in October.And the junior fighter has just ended off a terrific year by competing in the round robin youth tournament in the National Stadium in Dublin at the weekend.Tyrone recorded victories over Germany’s Andre Miltzow, 20 points to 6, and France’s Oktay Takalak, 25 points to 11, to help guide Ireland to an overall victory with 53 points.This is the end of a successful year for the Illies boxer who also has an Irish intermediate and junior championship to his name.

Tony Doherty and all special needs children around the peninsula need you, the people of Inishowen,  to help them in their fight to ensure they receive a full and fair education. If you feel strongly about the cutbacks in special needs education then it’s time to make your feelings known. Write to us here at the ‘Inish Times,’ 2 Victoria Villas, St Mary’s Road, Buncrana or email info@inishtimes.com. We will pass all letters and emails on to SNAAG. These will then be added to letters already received and hand-delivered to the headquarters of the National Council for Special Education in Co Meath.Another meeting of the parents, public representatives and the committee will take place on Monday next, 7 July, in the Strand Hotel in Ballyliffin beginning at 8pm.

Little Tony Doherty is a beautiful, happy-go-lucky boy.  Piercing dark brown eyes and a beaming smile. Just like any five-year-old he loves going to school. But Tony is no ordinary child. He suffers from a number of life-threatening health problems - chronic asthma, under-developed lungs, an enlarged heart, chronic sleep apnea, achondroplasia (a growth disability) and has a permanent tracheostomy inserted into his windpipe to help him breathe which necessitates suctioning 20-30 times a day. If it blocks it needs to be cleared within three minutes or he will die. So, it is understandable his mother, Shirlie, is distraught with fear after being informed he will not have a full-time special needs classroom assistant (SNA) when he goes back to school  in September. Despite a recommendation from  a respected consultant at the country’s top children’s hospital and International Best Practice  stating children with a tracheostomy need to be supervised at all times, Mrs. Doherty has been told Tony will not receive such supervision. The withdrawal of constant care is due to cutbacks in SNAs. The Inish Times visited Mrs. Doherty and Tony in their Buncrana home this week. Those overseeing the cutbacks should do the same - maybe then they will realise the wrong that is being done and reverse their decision, so Tony can do what he loves most - going to school - just like every child his age. 

Distraught mother blast Special Needs cuts A distraught Buncrana mother fears her son will die in school if his full-time special needs assistant is not reinstated.Five-year-old Tony Doherty from Millfield Heights suffers from a number of life-threatening health problems which require 24-hour supervision.Last week, his devastated mother, Shirlie, was informed his condition was not deemed “high priority” and from September the little boy – who attends Buncrana’s Scoil Iosagain –  will share a special needs assistant (SNA) with another child in a different class.Happy-go-lucky Tony has a permanent tracheostomy  (tube) inserted in his windpipe to help him breathe. It can require suctioning approximately 20 to 30 times a day. If it blocks it needs to be cleared within three minutes or Tony will die.The tube  is in place because Tony suffers from chronic sleep apnea – he stops breathing in his sleep due to an underdeveloped windpipe. Tony also has achondroplasia – a growth disability – chronic asthma, underdeveloped lungs due to a deformed chest cavity, a mild form of hydrocephalis, an enlarged heart and is on medication to prevent the bacterial infection pseudomonis.The removal of his full-time SNA is taking place despite a recommendation from John Russell, consultant paediatric otolaryncologist at Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, who  insists it “essential” Tony is accompanied by an SNA “at all times.”International Best Practice also recommends a child with a trachesotomy needs constant supervision.Tony’s SNA reduction is just one of a number which Inishowen parents - Special Needs Access Action Group (SNAAG) - are protesting against, a number of whom met with Pat Curtin, the chief executive of National Council for Special Needs Education, on Monday.A visibly upset Mrs Doherty said she was “terrified” the decision could result in Tony’s death – and now believes she has no choice but to remove him from the school he adores. An emotional Mrs. Doherty said she was “angry and upset” and was now extremely fearful for his future.She said: “I’ve had to fight for my child since the day he was born but I never thought I’d be fighting for this.“I can’t leave Tony on his own at all. If he knocks out his tube or it blocks it’s a race against time to get it rectified and this needs to be done by someone who is trained.“I’m scared to even take a shower. I was scheduled for surgery recently and kept putting it off because I couldn’t leave my son on his own. In the end my best friend went and got trained just so I could go into hospital. My husband works abroad so my mother also got trained and I have a carer who comes in just to give me a break but I’m always on alert. I carry a resuscitation bag everywhere I go.“If I can’t leave him on his own at home how I am supposed to leave him on his own at school?“Thank God, I have been absolutely blessed with Scoil Iosagain, they have bent over backwards for Tony and this affects them as well. They can’t put two special needs children in the one class, it’s not fair on the other children because they don’t get the attention they need. If Tony and the other child are on different sides of the building, Tony is going to be left on his own if the other child needs to go to the toilet or runs in the opposite direction. “Children are curious and they’re going to want to know what Tony’s tube is, if one pulls it out, if it blocks or if Tony knocks it out and the special needs assistant is on the other side of the building, Tony will die.“I remember on Tony’s first day in school we were crying and someone said ‘I told you the tears would come’ but we weren’t crying because we were sad, we were crying because we never thought we’d see Tony get that far.“He loves school, it’s his only social life really, he can’t go out and play like other children, I shouldn’t be thinking about taking my child out of school at five years old, it’s unbelievable.“I’ve been in contact with a lady from Navan whose daughter had a tracheostomy and she had an SNA all her years in school. Another child down the country with the same conditon has just been informed she will have an SNA until the day she leaves school. Why is my child being treated differently?”