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January 2019
Saturday 5th January – Martin Harley had two wins at Lingfield on the Alan King trained Nylon Speed in the Betway Live Casino Handicap and the Trentagh man made it a double aboard Salateen for trainer David O’Meara in the Follow Sun Racing On Twitter Conditions Stakes.
Saturday 5th January – St. Johnston’s Shane McGinty was one of the scorers for Ballymena Utd in a 3-2 win over Dundela in the Irish Cup. Also on the mark in the same competition was Raphoe man Simon McGlynn as his side Dergview won 3-2 against Maiden City
Sunday 6th May – Donegal made it back-to-back victories in the Dr. McKenna Cup after overcoming Down easily on a final score of 1-17 to 0-10 at Páirc Esler in Newry.
Sunday 6th January – Ramelton man Patrick Bond scooped two silver medals at the Great British Ice Swimming Championships at the Harfield Outdoor Activity Centre, Doncaster. Bond was second in the 40 – 44 year age group in the 1000 meters event. He was also second overall in the 100m Individual medley.
Sunday 6th January – A memorable run in the Deaf Futsal Champions League came to end for Ramelton’s Catherine Grier in the final on as her Doncaster side lost 3-1 to German side GTSV Essen in the decider in Stuttgart. So it was a silver medal for Catherine and her mum Monica was similarly rewarded as a member of the coaching staff. Earlier in the tournament Grier scored twice as the English side progressed to the final stages of the competition.
Tuesday 8th January – Finn Harps player Fionnan Coyle was named in the Republic of Ireland Under-16 squad for two international friendlies against Germany and Australia.
Tuesday 8th January – The Coláiste Ailigh Letterkenny U16 Girls basketball team recorded an historic All-Ireland semi-final 52-48 win over Old Bawn, Dublin.
Tuesday 8th January – Two Donegal born players Milford’s Amber Barrett and St. Johnston girl Tyler Toland were included in the Republic of Ireland Women’s senior squad for an international friendly against Belgium in Spain.
Tuesday 8th January – St Johnston man McGinty, a member of the Oakleaf Club in Derry, defeated Erald Muhja (Dockers B.C. Belfast) 5-0 in the 75kg Middleweight bout. Letterkenny native Stephen McMonagle, who fights out of the Holy Trinity in Belfast, defeated Denis Borskins 4-1 to reach the 91+kg final.
Wednesday 9th January – Martin Harley’s fourth win of the new year came at Lingfield as the Trentagh jockey won on 11/1 shot Minoria.
Wednesday 9th January – Abbey Vocational School were crowned Donegal GAA Senior Schools champions after a 4-7 to 2-10 over Loreto Milford with the help of a late Cian Hegarty goal.
Wednesday 9th January – St. Michael’s Martin McElhinney played his 100th game for Donegal, helping his county into the semi final of the Dr McKenna Cup after a win over Cavan in Ballybofey.
Wednesday 9th January – Donegal made sure of their place in the Dr McKenna Cup semi-finals with a 1-20 to 1-12 win over Cavan in Ballybofey.
Thursday 10th January – Glenties girl Amy Boyle Carr was named in the Republic of Ireland Women’s U19 Head squad for a double-header against Italy in Rome next Thursday 17th and Saturday 19th January.
Friday 11th January – It was a very good night for Donegal Clubs at the Gaelic Life Ulster All-Star Awards. Ulster Senior Champions Gaoth Dobhair won seven awards with Kevin Cassidy being named Footballer of the Year, Mervyn O’Donnell was the Football Manager of the Year and Ódhrán McFadden-Ferry was Young Footballer of the Year. Cassidy, McFadden-Ferry, Ódhrán MacNiallais and Daire Ó Baoill were included on the Gaelic Life All-Star Team.
Red Hughs the Ulster Junior Champions were also honoured as Seosamh McKelvey won the Football Manager of the Year Merit Award while Calvin Bradley and Stephen McMenamin were both named on the All-Star team. Glenfin won the Club of the Year merit award while Yvonne Bonner, Katy Herron and Anna Marie McGlynn were named on the Ulster Ladies All-Star team.
For further details on the Donegal Sports Star Awards go to donegalsportsstarwards.ie on Facebook at Donegalsport Starawards or on twitter at DL Sportstars.
