By Gary Ferry
info@inishtimes.com

A game against league giants Redcastle is the last thing you need when your premier division status is in jeopardy, but Cockhill must somehow find a way of beating the champions or face relegation.
Shaun McClean’s side will travel to Foyle Park next Tuesday knowing they need to cause the upset of the season to give themselves hope of survival. Three points would guarantee safety in the Jackie Crossan Premier, but their manager knows the odds of that happening are slim to say the least.
He told Inish Times Sport: “Redcastle are a very good side and their record speaks for itself, so it will be a big test for us,”
“We’ll give it everything. It will be a tall order but we’ll see how it goes. It was always going to be hard for us this year. If we manage to stay up it would be great, but if we go down it wouldn’t be a disaster.
“The players have gotten a lot of experience from this year and that will help them.”
With relegation looming after only one year at the top, McClean has a crystal clear memory of games that have ultimately cost his side, including the recent defeat to Moville.
But, accepting of his team’s fate, he believes there are still some positives to be taken from the season.
He said: “It was always going to be very hard for us this year, especially as we have an Ulster Senior League team.
“We’re basically the second string playing against Premier opposition, so we were punching above our weight.
“But in saying that, we have done well in some games and have played good football, so let’s see what Tuesday brings.”
* Redcastle v Cockhill, Jackie Crossan Premier Division,Tuesday, kick off 6.30pm

By Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

Buncrana’s hurlers made a promising senior debut at the Scarvey on Saturday.
The side played their first ever competitive match against Monaghan outfit Carrickmacross in the Ulster Senior League division 5.
And though they lost out to the visitors by 3-18 to 3-07, the mood in the camp is “very upbeat” according to the club’s hurling administrator Donaill MacLochlainn.
MacLochlainn told Inish Times Sport: “We were naturally disappointed with the result, but delighted with the performance.
“All but three of the squad are under 20, and I think they were a bit tense in the first half because of the sense of occasion.
“Carrickmacross scored three goals and the bulk of their points in the first half, and that is really where the damage was done.
“But Buncrana’s second half performance was excellent, and all credit must go to captain Gerard Boyle, who led ny example and encouraged the players to mark their opponents more closely, with the result that Carrickmacross weren’t allowed to play their game.”
Lee Duffy, David Clare and PJ Doherty all scored goals for the home side, who now travel to South Ulster this Saturday to play their next match.
Said McLochlainn: “The manager Tom Clare and all the coaching staff are feeling very positive.
“They may have struggled a bit in the first half, but they refused to put their heads down and it is attitude that will stand them in good stead in games to come.”

By Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

THE manager of Moville Reserves believes the Reserve Shield may not be the only piece of silverware gracing the club’s cabinet this season.
Eunan McDaid and his victorious team celebrated into the early hours following their win over Clonmany on Sunday, but it’s back to business this week as they seek even more honours.
McDaid told Inish Times Sport: “We’re still in the hunt for the league title, and we’re hoping to give the Fr O’Gara a good rattle as well.
“If we win all seven remaining league games we will at the very least force a play-off with Clonmany, while this Sunday’s Fr o’Gara match against Greencastle is one I am confident we can win.”
McDaid heaped praise on the entire team for their stoic performance at Caratra Park on Sunday, and had a special mention for young goal scorer Conor McLaughlin.
He said: “I’m delighted for Conor. He was shaking after the match he was so buzzed about scoring.
“He’s only 15, but he has become a big part of the team. He played brilliant on Sunday, and sprinted the whole match.
“He was down on a trial with the Republic’s under 15s last week, so with any luck he’ll get the nod.”

Jackie Crossan Premier Division

Culdaff FC…2

Doherty48′, 86′

Illies Celtic…2

Doherty 3′, McLaughlin 84′ 

By Mary-Anne McNulty

Maryanne@inishtimes.com

Talk about leaving it late. With just four minutes of their season remaining, a jaw-dropping overhead kick from JJ Doherty snatched what could prove to be a vital point for Culdaff.

The strike, from ten yards out, was a real corker, and almost justified Doherty’s elaborate celebration.

They’re not out of the woods yet, but given that survival is guaranteed if Cockhill fail to beat Redcastle at Foyle Park next Thursday, the odds are stacked in Culdaff’s favour.

Illies will be disappointed not to have taken care of their own battle for survival in one fell swoop – a win would have sent them clear - but with four games remaining it’s unlikely Brendan McDaid’s team will find themselves in a dogfight come the final curtain.

Given that every side in this division has played some excellent soccer this season (though some more consistently than others), it would be unfair to single out any team as deserving of relegation.

While there are some poor defensive records in evidence, this year has also seen an abundance of goals across the board, and it has certainly made for some hugely entertaining matches.

Culdaff, in particular, are a very attractive attacking side, and had they converted even a fraction of their chances on Sunday this game would have been done and dusted by half time.

But as was so often the case this season, they made life difficult for themselves by conceding an unnecessary goal, this time within just three minutes of the whistle.

Aidan Doherty sent a corner into namesake Paddy and he walked through the napping Culdaff defence to fire home the opener.

To their credit, the hosts regrouped immediately, and the next 20 minutes provoked a series of gasps from the disbelieving home fans as one opportunity after another failed to hit the mark.

Dermott Diver was instrumental in the Culdaff onslaught, dominating the midfield and finding his wingers with some precise passes.

The quality of the balls into the Illies box was excellent, but a mixture of awkward finishing and competent goalkeeping from Noel McDermott kept the hosts goalless for the first half.

Doherty arrived a fraction too late at the far post to connect with McColgan’s killer cross on 30 minutes, while crossed wires between Doherty and John McFeely shortly after meant another superb ball in from McColgan came to nothing.

Illies’ strength lay in defence on Sunday, but they nevertheless possessed enough attacking prowess to create a few opportunities of their own.

A neat turn from Niall McDaid spelled trouble on 35 minutess, but he couldn’t keep his shot down and it rose up over the bar.

Illies keeper McDermott had the final say of the half, when he produced a great save to deny Doherty’s sharp downward header.

Culdaff, if only to prevent an increasingly frustrated and vocal Diarmuid O’Brien invading the pitch and depositing the ball in the Illies net himself, took just three minutes to redress the balance.

Brian Harris sent in a lovely ball to Doherty, who took advantage of Caolan McCann’s uncharacteristic failure to clear decisively and rattled home the equaliser.

Doherty then delivered a gift-wrapped ball into the far post for Brendan Lafferty, but even at full stretch he couldn’t make the connection.

Two great corners from Conor O’Brien were narrowly headed over by Doherty and Brian McGonagle respectively, while Culdaff themselves were given a let-off when McDaid fired into the side netting.

With excellent defending, particularly from Matthew Byrne at left back, keeping the Illies chances to a minimum, it took a burst of something special from Alan Fletcher to make the breakthrough on 84 minutes.

Fletcher’s flair saw him round his marker on the right wing, with his low cross across the face of the Culdaff goal bundled home by Andy McLaughlin.

Staring defeat in the face, the hosts had just minutes to salvage something from the game. And salvation lay in the form of a piece of divine inspiration from Doherty, whose spectacular overhead kick from ten yards out soared sweetly into the left hand corner of the Illies net.

An opportunistic chip from Aidan Doherty almost saw the visitors snatch all three points in the 89^th minute, but a diving fingertip save from Sean O’Donnell averted disaster.

With no games remaining, Culdaf fansf will have the ambiguous pleasure of being Redcastle supporters for a day next Thursday, while Illies have a generous four games with which to lift themselves out of the danger zone.

Inish Times Man of the Match: John Joe Doherty (Culdaff) Made a huge contribution, capped off by a sublime goal.

Culdaff: Sean O’Donnell, Brian Harris, Matthew Byrne, Brian McGonagle, Damian Harkin, John McFeely, Conor O’Brien, Dermott Diver, John Joe Doherty, Patrick McColgan, Brendan Lafferty (Niall McLaughlin 76′).

Illies: Noel McDermott, Jim Doherty, Caolan McCann, Aidan Doherty, Joe McDaid (Graham Doherty 66′), Andy McLaughlin, Paddy Doherty, Niall McDaid, Alan Fletcher, Mark McLaughlin, Gavin Doherty.

Illies welterweight William McLaughlim must play a tense waiting game to see if he will be on the plane to Athens this Saturday.

The Golden Gloves boxer (21) won a box-off last month to book his spot as Ireland’s representative at the last Olympic qualifier before Beijing.

But the club were rocked with the news that the Irish Amateur Boxing Association had arranged a further decider between McLaughlin and national champion Roy Sheehan, who missed the box-off after breaking his hand in training.

The fight is set to take place this Friday, but is now in doubt after the Golden Gloves club this week sent a solicitor’s letter to the IABA arguing that their boxer had rightfully earned his place.

Club spokesman Eamon Duffy told us: “We’re waiting now to hear their response, but as far as we’re concerned Willie will be on the plane to Greece on Saturday.

“He won the box-off, and the circular sent out earlier this year clearly states that the winner of the box-off would be eligible to go to the qualifier.

“As far as I’m aware, Roy Sheehan still had the pins in his hand yesterday, so how a boxer who hasn’t thrown a punch in almost two months is expected to go out and fight in Athens is beyond me.”

IABA chiefs were set to have an emergency meeting tonight to discuss the matter, but it may be the case that the Illies club’s legal shot across the bow will see them back down.

Said Duffy: “We never agreed to a box-off between Roy and Willie. The first official word I got about it was on Saturday, and that was after it was all over TV3 on the Friday.

“Willie has been down at the training camp in Dublin and is raring to go, and it’s only right he is given the place after he earned it fair and square.”     

A trail-blazing female boxing referee from Inishowen has been selected to officiate at the Olympic qualifiers in Athens next Monday.

Sadie Duffy, of Illies Golden Gloves ABC, will judge the cream of the world’s amateur fighters as they make their final bid to qualify for this year’s Beijing Olympics.

Sadie, of Cleenagh, Buncrana, is said to be the sole female referee/judge at the event.

The honour marks yet another step up the career ladder for one of boxing’s finest ambassadors, who last year broke the mould when she officiated at the World Cadet Championships in Azerbaijain.

She told Inish Times Sport: “Each country sends one official to Athens, and I am delighted to be representing Ireland.

“When the national registrar Stephen Connolly asked me to take part I couldn’t believe it.

“I’ve had a look at the list of referees, and as far as I can make out I’m the only female.

“But whether I’m the only one or not doesn’t really matter, to be honest.

“What’s important is that there aren’t many female officials at world level, so the more opportunities we can get the better it is for the promotion of the sport as a whole.”

Sadly, the judges have already been selected for the Beijing Games, but Sadie is hoping her performance in Athens can influence selectors ahead of the London Olympics in 2012.

She said: “It would be a dream come true to take part in the London Games. I was hoping to be considered for the women’s boxing that will take place there, but it would be great to participate in the men’s event as well.

“It’s all about the preparation, so hopefully I’ll do well next week in Athens.

“I’m quite nervous about it. This is the last chance saloon for fighters wanting to make it to Beijing, so as a judge there’s a lot of pressure to get things right.

“But if I can come away thinking I did the best I could for the fighters, then I’ll be more than happy.” 

By Mary-Anne McNulty
Maryanne@inishtimes.com

An Inishowen soccer official believes switching the Inishowen Reserve League to Saturdays could be a huge success.
Michael McLaughlin, a prominent Inishowen League referee, told Inish Times Sport a move from the current Sunday morning schedule could be a “real boost” for the two reserve leagues.
“The 11am start is not ideal for a number of reasons,” said McLaughlin. “Many clubs rely on their reserve players to turn out for the first team matches, but because there is so little time between the two, they are often unable to play.
“I also think a change to Saturdays would help increase squad numbers. So many of our young men are working away down the country, and they really look forward to their Saturday night out when they return to Inishowen.
“Most of them are up at the crack of dawn during the week, and as a result they are opting for a lie-in on Sundays rather than getting up for the match.”
Carrowmena manager Raymond Dougal is also in favour of a switch. He said: “I think it would be a great benefit to the whole of Inishowen soccer.
“We are playing more games now than we were five years ago, and that is taking its toll on the pitches.
“With the emphasis placed on warm-ups these days, there’s the guts of five hours of football being played on a pitch in the one day, and this could be resolved if the reserves played their games the day before.
“The schedule also limits the squad a first team manager can put out. We rely on reserve players when numbers are down, but you’re reluctant to use players who have only just finished a morning game and are cold by the time they get to the afternoon game, and therefore increase the risk of injury.”
McLaughlin has raised the matter with referee appointments officer Eunan Kelly, who told Inish Times Sport he was “all for it”.
Kelly said: “I think it could be a good thing for both players and referees. It would leave them less anxious about having to get up early on Sundays, and would address many of the concerns managers have at present.
“Obviously, a change like this would be for the League to decide, but I will definitely be speaking to Diarmuid O’Brien (Inishowen League secretary) about it.
“I don’t know where the clubs stand, but I’d say it would be about 50/50 where the referees are concerned, so maybe it’s something for everyone to think about.”

By Seamus Cradden and Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

Quigley’s Point boss Dee Dunne says he will take the Inishowen League “all the way to Dublin” to appeal what he claims is an unjust punishment.
Dunne received a four match ban – and a 50 euro fine - from the disciplinary committee after the club were found to have fielded an illegal player in an Ulster Junior Cup game against Clonmany Shamrocks last month.
The Inishowen league acted when a photograph of John Paul McColgan, a former Institue player who is not currently registered with the Inishowen League, appeared in a newspaper report of the match.
But Dunne intends to appeal the ban with the Ulster FA, claiming the league’s actions are “a personal attack”.
He told Inish Times Sport: “I have checked this out with five different league organisations, and as far as I’m aware there’s no precedent for the manager being penalised when the club is found at fault.
“I believe this is a personal attack on myself. I’m not liked because I tell it straight and am not afraid to speak my mind when I think things are being done the wrong way.”
But though Dunne is appealing the decision, he WON’T confirm or deny whether or not McColgan was on the pitch on the day in question.
He said: “I am refusing to answer that question. It’s up to the Inishowen League to prove he played.
“Photographs can be tampered with, and therefore shouldn’t be admissable.
“I was on the back page of the Inish Times last year sitting on top of a Christmas tree – does that mean I’m walking round with a Christmas tree for a body?”
Dunne has also accused the Inishowen League of giving preferential treatment to other clubs.
He said: “Several Redcastle players didn’t turn up for the Oscar Traynor
match against Leinster yet the league did nothing about that.
“We lost a player through suspension at the start of the season, so I want to see the league standing up and suspending those other players who deserve it.
“There should be parity across all teams, without personal attacks being issued - which is what I believe is happening here.”
However, Inishowen League spokesman Terence Hegarty told Inish
Times Sport there was “no personal agenda whatsoever” against Dunne.
He said: “The Inishowen League deals with everybody in the same way
regardless of what club they play for.
“We can only act on evidence, not hearsay. If we are presented with
evidence that a player or club is in breach of the rules, then we will deal
with it.”

Inishowen Engineering Reserve League Division One

Redcastle Reserves 3
Murphy 47’, 55’, Stephen Grant 77’

Culdaff Reserves 0

Congratulations to the home side who clinched league honours with this three nil victory over Culdaff .
With the wind the visitors were on top but missed a few chances as the half ended scoreless.
On two minutes Niall McLaughlin just failed to connect with Mick McLaughlin’s low cross while at the other end Stephen Grant for the home side fired over from twenty yards.
Culdaff replied with Niall McLaughlin knocking the ball down for Mick McLaughlin but he hit the side netting before Patrick McLaughlin’s goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Brian Farren.
Niall Mclaughlin then laid the ball off to Gerard Mclaughlin but he shot just past Liam Davenport’s left hand post.
Redcastle replied on 36 minutes when Seamus Farren fed Brendan Murphy and his low shot was blocked by the outstretched legs of George Houten.
The last chance of the half fell to the visitors when Niall McLaughlin had a low effort well saved by Davenport.
Redcastle dominated the second period and opened the scoring on 47 minutes after Murphy controlled well and shot low past Houten from eight yards.
Colm McLaughlin then fired a shot off the post from the edge of the area before on 55 minutes Matt Grant fed Murphy who turned well and shot home from six yards.
Murphy then was denied by a good save from Houten before Grant fired over when well placed.
The home side sealed the points and the league title on 77 minutes when Stephen Davenport rolled the ball into the path of Stephen Grant who fired to the roof of the net from eighteen yards.
Redcastle: Liam Davenport, Emmet McConway, Trevor Davenport, Niall McColgan, Brian Farren, Colm McLaughlin, Matt Grant, Stephen Davenport, Seamus Farren, Brendan Murphy, Stephen Grant. Subs: Liam McLaughlin, Stephen McCauley and Niall Cavanagh.
Culdaff: George Houten, Gregory McGuinness, Oliver Ruddy, Paul McLaughlin, John McLaughlin, Dale Hutchinson, Mick McLaughlin, Paddy McColgan, Niall McLaughlin, Gerard McLaughlin, Patrick McLaughlin. Subs: Gary Collins, Niall Gordon and Seam

by Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

The manager of an Inishowen-based Ulster Senior League club has called for a forum so that the problems thrown up by the switch to summer football can be addressed.
Brendan Crummey, boss of Buncrana Hearts, says a formal get-together could help resolve the controversy surrounding the signing of players.
He told Inish Times Sport: “At the moment there is a clear conflict between summer football and the junior leagues, and I think it would be a good thing for all the leagues to come together, under the auspices of the Ulster FA, and work out how to address the situation.”
Last week’s FAI rule stipulating that junior players cannot sign to an intermediate club until their season ends came as a shock to several USL bosses, not least Crummey.
He said : “As far as I was concerned, the January 31 deadline had always been thought of as a professional rule, and didn’t apply to amateurs.
“Certainly, an unwritten rule has always existed where leagues would agree to cancel a player’s registration to enable them to move up to the intermediate arena.”
That ‘gentleman’s agreement’ will no longer happen as a result of the FAI’s stance on transfers.
But though the rule is meant to clarify the situation, it also appears to have stoked the flames of confusion further.
Crummey has contacted the FAI seeking an exact definition of the term ‘end of the season’, while Kildrum Tigers boss Raymond McDaid – desperate to get Redcastle striker Charlie McCormick on board as soon as possible - told us it was also something he would be ‘getting checked out’.
“I’m waiting for written confirmation,” said Crummey, “but I believe that even if a player’s season finishes in early May, he cannot sign for an intermediate side until all other games in his league have been concluded – which is a farcical situation.
“What we need here is a bit of maturity and common sense. “The best thing for all concerned is to come together and discuss the issues so that situations like this can be avoided in future.”

by Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

Clonmany boxing sensation Paddy Harkin has brought an amazing FIFTH national title back to Inishowen.
The St Brigid’s ABC star was left hanging on a knife edge as judges deliberated on the outcome of the closely-fought 63kg (youth 2) final at Dublin’s National Stadium last Saturday night.
With the score locked at 10-10, Harkin was ruled the winner over the formidable Tommy Walsh on a points countback.
The 16-year-old’s victory is his fourth All-Ireland crown at boy/youth level, with his national title as a cadet last year bringing his impressive tally to five.
Said proud mum Eileen: “It was an absolute nightmare waiting to hear the decision.
“There was literally just a couple of punches in it, and probably one of the hardest fights he’s ever had.
“It definitely gets harder for fighters as they get older, so I’m just delighted for Paddy that he was able to go out there and win it.”
Harkin now steps up to junior level, where it is hoped his exceptional talent will shine even brighter.