November 17^th – Bundoran Club Call

Bundoran Bord na nÓg held their agm last Tuesday evening in Bank House Bundoran. The following outgoing officers were re-elected to their positions: Diarmuid Doherty (Chairman); Lee Gallagher (Secretary); Pat Walsh (Vice-Chairman); and Noel Carr (Assistant Secretary and Youth Officer). John McEniff takes over as Registrar from the outgoing Edel Carlin-Rosanio and the club is still seeking a new Treasurer to take over from Joan McEniff and a new PRO to replace John McEniff. Joan and Edel were warmly thanked for the excellent work they had done on the board over the last four years. Fresh ideas are always welcome and anyone interested in either of the vacant positions should contact Diarmuid Doherty. The same officers have been in place for the last four to five years and would be happy to see new people coming along to meetings and getting involved in the running of underage football in the town.

All managerial positions have been filled except u8s and u16s. Noel Carr, John Campbell and Charlie O’Donnell will continue their excellent work as managers, respectively, of the u10s, u12s and u14s, while the management team of Lawrence Goan, Pat Walsh and Trevor McGlone are stepping up from u-16s to minors. John McEniff will depart from the management of the minors following this Saturday’s County final and Olivia Murphy is stepping down from management of the u8s. Both were commended on their good work.

The minors had a good win over St Michael’s in the County semi-final in Convoy on Saturday and will play Naomh Conaill in the League Final on Saturday in Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon. Throw-in is at 2.00. Please come out and support the team in the Club’s last game of the season. All in the club would like to extend their sympathy to Niall, Rory and the rest of the Dunne family on the sad passing of their mother Rose last weekend – ar deis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Finally, the Ladies Club are holding a quiz night in the Chasing Bull this Friday November 20^th. It starts at 9.00 pm and costs €5 per person to take part. Please come along and support.

September 29^th – Bundoran Club Call

It was a dis-appointing day in Ballybofey for Bundoran when they lost the Daly Brothers Intermediate final to Fanad Gaels, our second defeat to them in three years. Comhghairdeas i bhfad Gaeil Fhánada – on the day they deserved their victory taking their chances during the periods when they bossed the game although Bundoran had equivalent periods of dominance they failed to make it count on the scoreboard. This coming Sunday its back to league action with the Reserves and Seniors at home to Robert Emmetts at 4.00 and 5.30 respectively. The Senior team are two points adrift of a promotional play-off place so there is still plenty to play for.

The u-13s ended their season with a brave display against Four Masters in Donegal town last Saturday morning going down by 6-4 to 5-12 the best display to date from what is a very young side. Other teams left in competitions include the u21s who have a County semi-final scheduled against Fanad Gaels and the minors who have yet to play a long-delayed Britton All-Sport Minor League final against Naomh Conall. Dates for these games have yet to be set.

September 22^nd – Bundoran Club Call

The Daly Brothers Intermediate final takes place this coming Sunday September 27^th at 3.00 pm in MacCumhaill Park Ballybofey and will feature Bundoran and Fanad Gaels. In a tightly fought and close encounter Bundoran’s second goal entering the last ten minutes was the difference between the sides. The lead switched between the sides on a regular basis and the game was played in a sporting manner although an altercation in the first minute of added time led to a brief melee which was most uncharacteristic of the spirit in which the game had been played.

Anyone looking for flags, bunting or car-flags in advance of Sunday’s final can get them off Pat Walsh or Paul McGee. Elsewhere, the u-13s lost out to Killybegs in Gaelic Park last Saturday and have their final game this Saturday when they play Four Masters in Donegal town at 11.00.

September 15^th – Bundoran Club Call

Bundoran Senior team drew with Naomh Columba in their Intermediate Championship semi-final in Killybegs last Sunday afternoon. Bundoran missed three goal opportunities, including a penalty in the first quarter when they were much the better side. They failed to score over the remainder of the half and trailed by a point at the break. Naomh Columba looked the stronger side in the second half but Bundoran showed plenty of character and championship grit to come from behind twice to force the draw. The replay is next Saturday evening at 5.30 in Mountcharles and extra time will be played if required.

The Bord na nÓg flag day raised over €1,000 and a big thank you to all who contributed particularly those who made donations. A special thanks also to the collectors who gave of their time in unpleasant weather conditions. An under-strength under-13s lost badly in Ballyshannon last Saturday but should do better this Saturday morning in Gaelic Park against Four Masters. Throw in is at 11.00.

September 9^th – Bundoran Club Call

Bundoran Seniors take on Naomh Columba in the Intermediate Championship semi-final this Sunday in Fr Tierney Park Ballyshannon. The curtain raiser will be the Reserve Championship semi-final featuring Bundoran and Naomh Naille. The best of luck to both teams. The u14’s championship hopes ended in Ballyshannon last Wednesday went they lost by two points in their play-off game against Four Masters, putting on a brave display with an under-strength team. Finally, the u13 championship begins for Bundoran in this weekend with Bundoran playing Aodh Ruadh at 12 noon in Fr Tierney Park.

September 2^nd – Bundoran Club Call

Bundoran Seniors and Reserves drew both their games last Sunday in Burt. There is no game this weekend. The Minors crashed out of the championship after extra time to Naomh Conall in Killybegs last Wednesday and the u-14s met Four Masters on a championship play-off game last night Wednesday September 2^nd. The u-13 league commences Saturday September 12^th with an away tie in Ballyshannon.

Thanks to all who helped with the Bord na nÓg flag day on Sunday. Despite the largely inclement weather a total of over €800 was collected. The exhibition in the Library on the history of Bundoran GAA has commenced and is well worth visiting

It was a good week for Bundoran football with four championship victories as the Seniors, Reserve and u21 teams all progressed to county championship finals and the u14s won their first leg, first round quarterfinal to Four Masters. The Seniors hit top gear for just ten minutes against Cloughaneely hitting 1-6 between the 41^st and 48^th minute to wrap up what to then had been a closely contested game. The final score was 1-15 to 0-7, having been 0-7 to 0-6 shortly after the break. In the reserve game Bundoran also turned on the second-half style having led by just two points at the break they finished 1-20 to 0-11. Bundoran now face Naomh Columba in the semi-final.

The u21s scored a goal in the opening minutes of their quarterfinal tie against Downings and while level on four occasions were never headed thereafter, scoring four points in the last ten minutes to run out 1-11 to 0-10 winners. The minors play either Naomh Conall or Dungloe next Wednesday August 26^th at a venue yet to be confirmed.

The u14s looked comfortable with a 5-3 to 0-8 interval cushion in their championship tie against Four Masters but the Donegal boys showed grit and determination to level up the scores by the end of the third quarter at 3-12 to 5-6. In a gripping finale Bundoran hung on for a two point 6-9 to 4-13 victory. The second leg is next Monday August 24^th in Tirconnaill Park. The u15 Og Sport team travel to Ardara next Saturday to defend their county title. The McShane Transport u12s county skills competition is being held in McCumhaill Park on Friday September 4^th and a local competition to find the Bundoran entrant will be held over the next two weeks.

Bord na nÓg’s annual flag day collection to raise money to support underage football in Bundoran will be on Sunday August 30^th. The club is currently looking for parents of young children to volunteer for an hour on the day to “shake a bucket” at one of the four locations around the town. Anyone interested should contact Edel Carlin-Rosanio (0863636656) or Joan McEniff (0872253112).

Seniors

Bundoran              1-15                        Carndonagh         0-7

Bundoran progressed to the next stage of the Intermediate Championship courtesy of a devastating scoring burst midway through the second half that moved them from a two point to a ten point lead within seven minutes. Prior to this purple patch Bundoran had been the dominant side but a mixture of indifferent finishing and some very soft frees kept kept Carndonagh well in touch. Indeed but for two top class saves from Bundoran keeper Kevin McManus and a goal-line catch by James Keaney, probably the man of the match, Carndonagh might well have won this tie against the run of play.

Bundoran’s Fergal McKiernan opened the scoring within the first minute. Three Bundoran wides later, Dara Hoey doubled their advantage following a scything length of the field solo-run from Rossa McKiernan and a long range Tommy Hourihane free gave Bundoran an eight point lead before Carn had even launched an effective attack. A 14m free on ten minutes opened the scoring for the visitors and following another series of Bundoran wides midfielders Dessie McNamara and Cathal Doherty traded scores on the quarter hour mark. With Bundoran mopping up around the middle third of the field they continued to apply pressure to the Carn backline and further points by Hourihane and McKiernan made it 0-6 to 0-2 approaching the interval.

Bundoran’s anxiety to pile on the points was leaving them vulnerable at the back as all of their half-back line piled forward leaving a lot of space behind and twice Bundoran were nearly caught on long-ball counter attacks – as mentioned McManus and Keaney coming to the rescue. Two dubious 14m frees on the 27^th and 28^th minutes were converted by Darren Burke for Carn and earned Bundoran’s Diarmuid McCaughey, who conceded both, first a warming and then a booking for protesting. In what was a very cleanly fought and sporting game there were only three yellow cards all for dissent for Bundoran players.. As the game ticked into added time Bundoran’s Christy Keaney added another point for the home side, catching a kick-out after another Bundoran wide and racing forward before skimming the top of the cross-bar with a rasping shot.

Carndonagh were on the board courtesy of a Cathal O’Kane point within ten seconds of the re-start after good work by Gerard Doherty. The gap was down to a single point two minutes later when Darren Burke converted his fourth free of the evening after a foul on Liam Shiels. Lifted by this turnaround Carn briefly looked like they might push on and take the tie to a third game. Cathal O’Kane and Padraig Doherty both had opportunities to level it up but this was as good as it got for the visitors. Dara Hoey registered Bundoran’s first second half point on 38 minutes, another long-range Tommy Hourihane free made it 9-6 and a great run by Shane McGowan set up Christy Keaney to put four points between the teams on 43 minutes.

Christy Keaney was again centrally involved in the goal that effectively sealed the game a minute later. Dessie McNamara who was largely playing as a sweeper at this stage intercepted a Carn attack and found Keaney with a long pass. The pacy Bundoran half-forward ran straight at the visiting defence and ambitiously opted for a strike at goal when a point seemed more sensible. Caught unawares Martin Mooney parried the shot but the rebound fell to Fergal McKiernan who evaded the attentions of Aidan O’Callaghan and buried the ball in the net. Within another three minutes Dara Hoey, Ciaran McCaughey and Tommy Hourihane all added further scores to leave it 1-13 to 0-6 by the 48th minute. On the 49^th minute Keaney hit the post with a 14m free, signalling the end of the purple patch and Carn raced upfield but Cathal O’Kane’s strike for goal was foiled by an excellent McManus save. Padraig O’Doherty ended the visitor’s 23 minute scoring famine with a point on 55 minutes. Declan Rafferty lobbed Bundoran’s 14^th point and McKiernan added the 15^th on the hour. In between these late scores a great run by Carn midfielder Dominic Doherty saw his low shot scrape the base of the post denying the visitors a consolation goal. Best for Bundoran were Shane McGowan, Paul Delaney, Dara Hoey and James Keaney, while for Carndonagh Gerard Doherty, Ryan Davenport and Cathal O’Kane were best.

In the Reserve game Bundoran were much the better side although visitors hung on well int the first half. The second half saw Bundoran put on a great display of point taking as they notched up a 1-20 to 0-10 victory.

Bundoran: Kevin McManus, Diarmuid McCaughey, James Keaney, Rossa McKiernan, Niall Dunne, Shane McGowan, Richie Gillespie, Paul Delaney, Dessie McNamara (0-1), Ryan Walsh, Ciaran McCaughey (0-1), Christy Keaney (0-2), Fergal McKiernan (1-3), Dara Hoey (0-3), Tommy Hourihane (0-4, 2f). Subs used: Declan Rafferty (0-1) and Mark Travers.

Carndonagh: Martin Mooney, Benny Doherty, Paddy Nelson, Aidan O’Callaghan, Ronan O’Connor, Gerard Doherty, Richie Cunningham, Cathal Doherty, Dominic Doherty, Ryan Doherty, Cathal O’Kane, Liam Shiels, Kevin Doherty, Darren Burke and Padraig Doherty. Subs used: Declan O’Donnell and Christy McLaughlin.

Bundoran seniors lost their third game on the trot and have moved from being well placed to win promotion to danger of being an also-ran once again. Six points to no score up against Naomh Columba approaching the break Bundoran had a terrible middle third of the game and were losing 1-7 to 0-7 entering the closing stages. Despite fighting back to lead by a point going into injury time they conceded two late scored to finish on the end of a 1-8 to 1-9 scoreline. The Reserves continued their good run with a 4-6 to 0-8 win. Next Saturday evening both teams are out against Carndonagh in the championship.

The u21s had a good win against Downings in their championship quarterfinal on Tuesday evening in MacCumhaill Park, pulling away in the closing stages to win by 1-10 to 0-9. The minors are scheduled to play their Britton All-Sports Championship on Wednesday August 19^th. Their opponents are likely to be either Dungloe or Naomh Conaill. The u-10s have a blitz this Saturday August 15^th in Ardara starting at 11.00 am. The bus will leave St Macartan’s school at 9.30

Bundoran seniors suffered their second defeat in succession and surrendered their 100% home record when they lost out by a point to Urris on a 1-14 to 2-10 score-line last Sunday. A point ahead early in the second half with a very strong breeze in their back Bundoran failed to capitalize against a Battling Urris. The Reserves, had a more productive end-game however, scoring 2-2 into the breeze in the last ten minutes to win by 4-7 to 2-1. The u21s have drawn Downings in the u-21 championship quarterfinal but no date has yet been set for the tie.

The Bundoran minors face Four Masters in the second leg of their first round championship tie on Wednesday, July 29^th having won their home leg. The u-15s competed well in the regional blitz in Ballyshannon on Saturday, drawing with Aodh Ruadh and beating Naomh Bríd. Thanks to all the parents, managers Olivia Murphy and Lee Gallagher, refs Barry Keaney, Hannah Doherty and Noel Carr and grounds-man Pat Walsh for all the help on the day. There are no underage games next week.

Bundoran seniors suffered their second defeat in succession and surrendered their 100% home record when they lost out by a point to Urris on a 1-14 to 2-10 score-line last Sunday. A point ahead early in the second half with a very strong breeze in their back Bundoran failed to capitalize against a Battling Urris. The Reserves, had a more productive end-game however, scoring 2-2 into the breeze in the last ten minutes to win by 4-7 to 2-1. The u21s have drawn Downings in the u-21 championship quarterfinal but no date has yet been set for the tie.

The Bundoran minors face Four Masters in the second leg of their first round championship tie on Wednesday, July 29^th having won their home leg. The u-15s competed well in the regional blitz in Ballyshannon on Saturday, drawing with Aodh Ruadh and beating Naomh Bríd. Thanks to all the parents, managers Olivia Murphy and Lee Gallagher, refs Barry Keaney, Hannah Doherty and Noel Carr and grounds-man Pat Walsh for all the help on the day. There are no underage games next week.

Bundoran              2-9                          Cloughaneely       1-9

After an exemplary first half, for the most part characterised by quality football played in a sporting fashion this game descended into a niggly battle of attrition in the second period with three players and a mentor receiving marching orders from a referee whose control of the game had slipped. It started well for Bundoran with McEniff opening their account in the first minute and they had 1-2 on the board in the six minutes before Sean Maguire opened Clouganeely’s account with a well-struck free. In fact between the sixth and twentieth minute Bundoran only registered one point while Cloughaneely notched four to drag themselves back into contention. Bundoran hit another purple patch when Christy Keaney and McEniff pointed in quick succession and then Keaney smashed the ball off the bar and into the net to leave it 2-5 to 0-4. Two converted frees, both hotly contested by Bundoran mentors, sowed the seeds of future trouble and kept Cloughaneely in the hunt. Keaney and McEniff, however, closed out the half with well taken scores.

The home side got the first of their two second half points within a minute of the re-start to move eight clear. Five minutes in and a melee saw Bundoran’s McHale sent off. Over the next fifteen minutes there was some heroic defending but little to trouble the scoreboard until Declan McFadden flicked a high ball to the net. The visitors failed to build on this lifeline as the home side continued to play the better football but their first half accuracy deserted them. Entering the closing stages with Cloughaneely trailing 2-9 to 1-7, another melee saw players from both sides sent off. Cloughaneely added two further points during nine minutes of additional time but their only goal-chance brought a marvellous one-handed save from Kevin McManus. Christy Keaney was Bundoran’s top scorer with 2-4 but Fergal McKiernan was probably the home teams’ best forward, while James Keaney, Richie Gillespie and Diarmuid McCaughey were heroic in defence. With five of their scores from dead balls the Cloughaneely forwards were less effective  and best for them were Joe Friel, Joe Boyle and Ciaran McFadden.

 Report by John Mc Eniff

Micheal Mc Eniff, Peter Mc Gonagle and Asley Mulhearn will be representing the Bundoran club on the Donegal Minor Squad this weekend against Down. We wish them and the rest of the team well. Hopefully Down will not know what hit them.