By Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

by Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

Inishowen Select boss Bryan Bell will be without talented midfielder Malachy McDermott when they face Leisnter in the last 16 of the Oscar Traynor competition this Saturday.
The Moville player’s return to Derry City’s under 21s looked in doubt last week after the FAI transfer rule barred players from moving clubs after January 31.
But it is believed McDermott WILL be released from the Inishowen league as the transfer rule is relaxed for players joining a senior club.
Bell told us: “I spoke to Malachy at the start of the week, and after checking things out with Derry manager Peter Moran, he is satisified his transfer can go ahead.
“Naturally, I’m disappointed, as Leinster will be a tough side to break down and you like to have as many options as possible.
“But I’m going to draft in William McLaughlin and Mark McLaughlin from Illies, so we’ll be heading down to Leinster with every chance.”

By Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

MALIN GAA player Declan Walsh made an impressive debut for Donegal’s seniors in Newbridge on Sunday.
The 18-year-old came on as a sub in the second half and neutralised Kildare marksman Johnny Doyle so effectively he failed to score a single point in the second half.
Walsh’s introduction to the senior line-up is the highlight to a successful year that has seen him become a pivotal player in the county’s minor and under 21 squads.
The left half back told Inish Times Sport: “It was a great feeling to be out there, and I’m pleased I didn’t do too badly during the match.
“I’ve been on the subs bench before, but was never put on, but this time I got the nod and I’m over the moon to have made my debut.”
Walsh is hoping to make an impact with the seniors in the years ahead, but for now he’s focussing on the under 21’s upcoming championship preliminary championship match against Monaghan.
“The main thing now is the under 21s’ championship campaign,” he said.
“I’m still only 18, so I know I’ll have to be patient when it comes to getting a regular place in the senior squad.”

by Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

A PROMINENT soccer offical from Inishowen is calling on the peninula’s football fraternity to throw its weight behind Redcastle United this Sunday.
Herbie Barr, an FAI provincial administrator, is encouraging fans, players and committee members from all over Inishowen to come to Foyle Park and cheer on the area’s sole surving FAI Junior Cup hopefuls.
Inish Times Sport has learned officials from Gleneely Colts intend asking permission to play their own game early in order to attend the crucial last 16 clash between Redcastle and Ballyphehane (kick off 1pm).
And Barr is hopeful other clubs will follow suit. He said: “I would encourage as many people as possible to go along and support the team.
“Redcastle have a fantastic opportunity to reach the quarter finals of this year’s competition, and it would be a great boost for Inishowen soccer if a big crowd of well-wishers turned up to cheer them on.”
Inishowen League secretary Diarmuid O’Brien said any clubs wishing to play their games early would be accomodated, providing the referees and opposing sides were agreeable.
And Redcastle manager Bryan Bell says he would be “delighted” to attract support from neighbouring clubs.
He said: “This is one of the biggest games in the history of the club, and we really feel as if we’re flying the flag for Inishowen as well.
“As far as I’m concerned, the more the merrier, and hopefully we’ll put on a good show for everyone that turns up.”
Redcastle officials have decided there will be a gate for the match – probably five euros – in order to cover the cost of paying the match officials coming up from Sligo.
Bell added that confidence in the camp was high, though he admitted they’re sweating about the availability of key player Eddie McIntyre.
The talismanic winger took a knock to his ankle during the side’s 5-0 victory over Carn last Sunday, and it’s now a waiting game to see if he’ll be fit enough to play.
Said Bell: “Obviously, it would be a huge blow not having Eddie. He’s been up to the faith healer and is undergoing intensive physiotherapy, but we’ll just have to wait and see.
“But the whole squad is raring to go. We know Ballyphehane have some quality players, but the lads have been playing brilliantly lately, and at the very least I feel we have a fighting chance.”

by Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

TWO Inishowen schoolboys ditched school to play a football match last Friday – but its unlikely their GAA-mad principal Anthony Doogan will be too cross.
Moville Community College (MCC) pupils Dermott Keaveney and John Hegarty were part of the Donegal vocational schools squad that beat Down to make this year’s Ulster final.
And young Dermott had plenty to smile about after scoring two goals in his side’s 3-10 to 1-9 victory.
Speaking to Inish Times Sport at the pitch in Clogher after the match, the delighted Muff lad told us: “Peter Oliver [McNellis] set me up for the first one, and the second one was a bit of a scramble.
“I’m over the moon to have scored. It’s great to make an Ulster final, but scoring two goals is a definite bonus.”
The performance was the icing on the cake for the talented young half forward, who has just heard he’s made the provisional panel for this year’s county minor team along with Hegarty, Carndonagh’s Richie Cunningham and Thomas McKinlay from Naomh Colmcille.
He said: “Fingers crossed, I’ll do well enough to make the final panel.
“It’s a great honour to represent Donegal, and playing for the minors would definitely be somrthing I hope to achieve.”
In the meantime, the 17-year-old, along with teammate and fellow MCC student Hegarty, will line out against Monaghan in the vocational schools Ulster final on Thursday week.
The Aught Ture native added: “I’m sure Mr Doogan won’t mind us being away from school for that, as he’s well into the football himself.”

by Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

INISHOWEN rugby club hosted a very special guest at their training session last week.
Ulster prop forward Justin Fitzpatrick popped in to the pitch at Carndonagh Community School to offer some top scrummaging advice to the Ulster Junior League side.
The 34-year-old was invited by Inishowen coach and Fitzpatrick’s former London Irish teammate Kevin Gallagher.
Fitzpatrick, a member of Ulster’s European Cup-winning squad under Harry Williams in 1999, has been capped for Ireland 26 times.
He told Inish Times Sport: “I’m delighted to be here. Donegal is a beautiful part of the world, and I’m only too happy to help Kevin out.
“He’s done a fantastic job with Inishowen this season, and he’s got a great bunch of players, and hopefully they will continue to improve with every game.”
And Fitzpatrick was apparently so impressed with the squad that he’s hoping to come back – with one of his Ulster pals in tow.
Inishowen captain Shaun Craig told us: “Justin is going to try and get back for another coaching session along with the Ulster scrum half Kieran Campbell.
“It’s not definite yet, and we’ll have to see how Ulster’s schedule pans out.
”But it would be great. Justin is playing at the highest level, and so for us to get the benefit of that expertise on Thursday night was fantastic.
“Hopefully his advice will translate onto the pitch when we take on Ballynahinch in the second round of the Forster Cup this Saturday.”