1.
Toeing the lineLike the Glen Campbell song, Wichita Lineman, former Donegal senior team manager Declan Bonner had another role to play at a tasty Junior championship encounter close to his home in Leitirmacaward on Saturday between Na Rossa and Letterkenny Gaels.Bonner was the Na Rossa linesman - and team mentor at the same time. He was patrolling the Dungloe side of the ground, which was probably the busier side for line balls, but was miles away from the main action, which took place on the dressing room side where the mentors from both sides were located.There were no areas marked out for management patrols and as the passion levels rose, so too did the distance the patrols swayed from what should have been their designated areas.As fortunes swayed and the game was level going into added time at the end of the second half, the levels of interaction rose accordingly. Shoulders were tested; water cannon brought into play; insults were traded, all in the name of sport.Having a grandstand seat (but not insured to be that close) it was difficult to concentrate on the on-field and off-field action. Thankfully, it didn’t boil over and fair play to the players on the field, who gave everything without trading a dirty blow.After it ended in a draw, everybody seemed to be happy and Declan Bonner was probably the lucky linesman, being able to enjoy a fantastic game with distraction. PC
2.
Downings wide awakeThe Irish Legends Tour at Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort closed on Saturday night with a Nathan Carter concert. Daniel O’Donnell delighted the huge crowds with a surprise appearance on the stage at the Downings GAA pitch. On Sunday, bleary-eyed workers were working hard dismantling the stage as IFC action between Downings and Naomh Columba got underway. There was nothing sleepy about the Downings squad. Down to 14 men from the third minute, following Paddy McElwee’s sending off, and having to play with 13 for ten minutes when Martin McBride was black-carded, Downings were undeterred and defeated a fancied Glen 1-15 to 0-9 and followed that up with a midweek win over Red Hughs on a 1-14 to 0-10 scorelineTyrone manager Feargal Logan was among the observers at Páirc na Dúnaibh. Speaking of Tyrone, Cormac McGettigan, a native of Killyclogher, has been a useful addition to the Downings ranks. CMcN
3.
An escort's engagementCillian Ó Gallachóir will return to the Cloughaneely panel this Saturday for their daunting trip to St Eunan’s in the Donegal SFC, Perhaps not as daunting as last week, though, having acted as an escort for the Perth Rose, Olivia Duffy, who took to the stage on Monday night at the Rose of Tralee International festival. Rathmullan’s Rose Katie McAteer was the Donegal representative, pictured with Ó Gallachóir below courtesy of McGinley Coach Tours. Falcarragh native Ó Gallachóir, who also lines out for Glenea United in the Donegal League, said he was talked into becoming an escort by his three younger sisters one of who, Shauna, was Cailín Gaelach the the Comórtas.He has a Masters degree in Cancer Research, working as a Quality Engineer at Medtronic in Galway. Last weekend, Kilcar defeated Cloughaneely 0-19 to 0-7 at Páirc Naomh Fionnán, with Michael Lynch’s side having drawn their opening match at Four Masters. AF
4.
From track to fieldOn Sunday morning last in Munday’s Field in Ballyshannon, the Ladies of Letterkenny Gaels came to Ballyshannon for a Junior B Championship encounter which they had hopes of winning.But they did not expect to find a World class 400m hurdler wearing the No. 6 jersey of Aodh Ruadh. Lucy McGlynn, fresh from her exploits in the Irish National Championships and with the Ireland U-20s at the World Championships in Cali, Columbia, dominated the game as she glided forward time after time with the ball to take the wind out of the Gaels’ sails.Imagine trying to keep up with McGlynn, who can run the 100m hurdles in 14 seconds? It was just poetry in motion watching her. In the end McGlynn was central to an Aodh Ruadh win by 4-14 to 2-13. No doubt only for her commitment to athletics, she would be a welcome addition to the Donegal senior team. PC