Clonmany Shamrocks are the recipients of the Inish Times Sports Personality of the Month award for March.

The Jackie Crossan Premier side have been on blistering form over the past six weeks, with a crucial league win against Quigley’s Point putting them in pole position for this season’s league title.

In addition, victories over The Point and Redcastle have set up an Ulster Junior Cup final against Lagan Harps, while they will also defend their Buncrana Credit Union Cup crown where they will meet last year’s beaten finallists Redcastle.

Martin Cavanagh, who manages the side with Shaun Devlin, said he was “delighted” with his side’s consitentcy of late.

He told us: “We had a little blip a few weeks back against Culdaff, but other than that things have been going really well.

“The lads have been putting a lot of effort into their training from as far back as June, and they are reaping the rewards of that work with good results on the pitch.”

Cavanagh’s colleague Devlin believes the input of the club’s fitness trainer Michael Bradley has been a huge element in that success.

He said: “We’re indebted to Michael for the work he has done with the team. He has the lads super fit this season, and as a result the style of football they’re playing has been very relaxed.

“We have two league games left and we will be aiming to get maximum points in order to put as much pressure as we can on Redcastle.”  

By Mary-Anne McNulty

maryanne@inishtimes.com

The fingers and toes of rugby fans across the penisula are firmly crossed this week for Inishowen captain Shaun Craig as he battles to be fit in time for the Forster Cup final.

Craig (31) was taken down by six burly Coleraine defenders in a crushing tackle during Inishowen’s final league match last Saturday, and as he lay motionless on the pitch his dream of leading out the team at Ravenhill this Saturday looked in tatters.

He told Inish Times Sport: “I wasn’t moving, and some of the lads told me afterwards they were worried I’d broken my neck or back.

“The pain was unbelievable, and when I was taken to the hospital in Coleraine the doctors told they they thought I was looking at a puntured lung at the very least.”

But miraculously, all serious injuries were ruled out, and Craig was released with bruised ribs.

The Inishowen centre is now undergoing physiotherapy in a desperate bid to make the club’s Forster Cup final against Academy in rugby Mecca Ravenhill on Saturday.

He said: “I’ve been taking a lot of painkillers and putting ice on to keep the swelling down, so I’m hoping for the best.

“I will be absolutely gutted if I don’t get to lead the boys out, especially as we are just days away.

“It’s a race against time now, so all I can do is hope and pray I make it.”

Craig will have to pass a fitness test with Inishowen coach Kevin Gallagher on Saturday morning in order to get the green light.

Gallagher told us: “Shaun is probably the one player we can’t afford to lose.

“His job is to run between defenders to draw them in and make space for us going forward, and it is a role he executes to perfection.

“He is quite simply ‘Mr Irreplaceable’, and everyone at the club will hoping and praying he’s fit to play on Saturday.”     

by Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

A veteran of the Inishowen League is urging young players to show more commitment to the game – and their clubs.
Aileach defender Stephen O’Donnell, who last night played his final league match for the first team after 15 years service, believes the peninsula’s junior soccer scene is struggling because too many players love to party on a Saturday night.
He told Inish Times Sport: “Once boys get to 20 they retire, because their social life eclipses everything else.
“Aileach had a very young side this year. Half were under 18, and that is the way most teams are going.
“For many players in their twenties – an age when they should be in their prime – it has become a case of ‘party first, football second’.”
O’Donnell believes the overall standard of the Inishowen League has dropped significantly since he began his career in 1993, and says players signing for other clubs has also been a factor.
He said: “Committees are working harder now than they ever did to build up first-rate facilities, only to see boys they provided with football from the age of eight go elsewhere.
“A bit of loyalty wouldn’t go amiss. I’m not saying it’s something that should be enforced, but when you think of the time and money that has gone into improving the grounds, it would be nice if local players showed their appreciation by sticking with their club.”
O’Donnell, also Aileach chairman, will take on the player/manager role with the reserve team next season, and is hoping things will improve in the future.
He said: “We are in the process of building two pitches at our new Inch Level site, and hope to introduce floodlights with a view to playing the majority of our games on Friday or Saturday evenings in the years to come.”
He added: “I don’t want to sound as if I’m preaching. I rarely sat in on Saturday nights myself, and I didn’t always put everything into my training.
“But as a result, I never became the player I should have been.
“My story is not an isolated case. Inishowen is full of unfulfilled talent. Some keep playing and drop down the divisions, while others hang up their boots at ridiculous ages.”
“All young players should make proper time for their football, because the years creep up and you will end up regretting the time you wasted.”
*See page 80 for in-depth interview.

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 i
n 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.”